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The atmosphere was too weird.
It was suffocating sitting in silence. From time to time, forks would scratch plates, or someone would drink something, but no one had uttered a word since we’d arrived. I hated the way the air seemed to have thickened; the way their eyes rested on me.
Dominik and Viktor had arrived two days after I’d met with Davorin, but instead of going out and having dinner like normal families did, we’d got together in Aleksei’s mansion. All of his staff were off the clock, aside from his guards, who clearly weren’t impressed that they had to share their space with Ilya and Danila, two of Dominik’s most trusted men.
The dining-room lights were dimmed, a huge candle holder in the middle of the oak table—which was too big for four people—our main source of illumination. Aleksei and Dominik sat at each end of the table, while Viktor and I took a side each.
The three of them were dressed practically the same. The shade of their dark-blue suits varied slightly, though it was noticeable only if you paid close attention. Viktor mimicked Aleksei’s hairstyle, but it didn’t look nearly as good on him as it did on Aleksei.
Dominik, on the other hand, was a man of his own. It was admirable how his gentle personality and class were never touched or dirtied by the job. His morals were high, and his principles weren’t to be tested. He was a man of few words, but the words he did speak were always wise, often dark. It all depended who they were directed to.
An hour passed, and I waited patiently for any one of them to speak their mind and end this smothering silence.
The dinner had been prepared by the best chefs in the country. The table was full of steaks, salads, and desserts that no one was able to eat. They were too sweet. And I hated how much of this food was going to be wasted.
I could feel Viktor’s gaze glued to my face. Aside from our eyes, we had nothing in common, despite being twins. I was the prettier twin though. My head hung low, but only because if our eyes met, I’d grab my steak knife and stab the son of a bitch for provoking me.
“Ekaterina.” Viktor’s voice was taunting. I snapped my eyes shut and tried to block out his words, though it was impossible. “I’ve heard that you want to kill our father. Is that true?”
My body froze. I opened my eyes, slowly raised my head, and looked at him. He had a smirk on his face and continued eating as if he’d asked me about the weather.
I blinked a few times, an endless well of anger threatening to surface. I’d never been great at dealing with emotions, especially when it came to Viktor, who was supposed to be the other half of me, yet wanted nothing more than to see me dead.
I tilted my head to the side and lowered my glass. I felt too close to losing it completely, and the glass would’ve ended up thrown at his stupid face.
“Now, is it smart to throw such accusations around without solid proof?”
Viktor’s jaw locked when he realized I wasn’t taking the bait, then he chuckled to himself and looked over to Aleksei, whose gaze was fixed on me. It made me want to roll my eyes so badly, but it was something he wouldn’t let slide.
“Enough.” Dominik’s stern voice invited no argument. “The two of you bickering isn’t what any of us need right now. We’re here for a reason.”
“Let me guess—you want to get me home?” I asked.
“Yes, but not right now,” Dominik said and lowered his glass, ruling the dinner as if he was the Pakhan.
To this day, I remained convinced he would’ve made a better Pakhan than Aleksei ever could. Sadly, it hadn’t been up to me.
Dominik nodded to Aleksei, who continued, “Four days ago, we received a request for assistance from Martin Emmerson. For the past decade, he’s made quite a good business in arms dealing. In exchange for our help, he’ll up our profit by thirty percent.”
Emmerson. That was Brianne’s last name. Immediately, my mind began connecting the dots. If he had even a remotely successful business in the underworld, it would have been easy to have their records wiped clean, though there had to be a reason.
I returned my attention to the conversation. “Since when are you doing charity work? Also, why the hell am I here? I’m not part of the business.”
Aleksei cleared his throat. “Let me speak and I’ll get to it.”
I rolled my eyes, and he shot me a glare.
“I’ve worked with him for over five years and not once has he caused any trouble. And if his business went to hell because I didn’t help, it would reflect badly on Dominik and Viktor as well.”
I glanced over to Viktor, who seemed just as clueless as I was. “Who’s after him?”
“I don’t know. I do know, however, who’s been hired to kill him.”
As if for dramatic effect, he paused, and his eyes traveled between Dominik and Viktor before they landed on me. I felt it in my bones—I knew what he was going to say and slid my poker face in place immediately.
“Davorin was hired to do it.”
I blinked. “And how does any of that have anything to do with me exactly?”
