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“Is my brother in his office?”
Myra nodded. “All of them are.”
“Thank you.”
A bubble of suspicion arose inside me as I walked through Dominik’s home. Undoubtedly, the cameras had caught me, so he knew full well I was here. Why the hell were the three of them meeting without informing me? Granted, I was usually uninterested in their business, but this was different. There was someone after Aleksei, and I’d chosen to show loyalty to him. This was the only time I wanted to know every little detail of what was going on, and the fact that they were trying to hide it from me pissed me off beyond words.
I pushed the door open with force. The usual study awaited—shelves filled with books I’d read years ago; the thick black curtains behind Dominik’s wooden desk. His leather couch and whiskey collection. Even the scent of raspberry was the same.
“Ekaterina.” Dominik showed no surprise at my sudden entrance. “I wasn’t expecting you today.” He sat behind his desk. My other two brothers were on the couch; each held a glass of whiskey.
“I can see that.” I approached the table and poured a glass of whiskey for myself. The burning sensation ran down my throat, and I grimaced as I remembered I’d forgotten to eat breakfast—alcohol on an empty stomach was a bad idea.
“Is everything all right with you?”
Aleksei’s voice made me snap my head in his direction. “Why?”
His eyes traveled from my high ponytail, to my bare face—I hadn’t bothered with makeup—then down to my outfit and shoes. “The last time you were down with a fever, you refused to go to the hospital without heels and makeup.”
I coughed, ignoring his statement as I sat down next to Viktor. He visibly froze, but after a moment acted as if nothing had happened. My eyes narrowed in distrust, but I let it go for the moment.
“So why have we all gathered here today?” I questioned. “And why wasn’t I invited?”
Dominik frowned. “You never wanted to be a part of the business. There was no reason to call you.”
“You’ve called me for much less. If it has anything to do with this threat to Aleksei, I want to be in on it.”
Aleksei was confused. “Are you worried about me?”
I choked out a laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m curious.”
He kissed his teeth. “Ah, of course.”
An uncomfortable silence fell, which Dominik finally broke. “Well, since you want to know, fine.” He glanced between Viktor and Aleksei, but neither showed any resistance. “Martin Emmerson was killed.”
I swallowed. “When?”
Viktor spoke for the first time since my arrival, though he didn’t so much as glance my way. His eyes were mostly glued to Dominik, only shifting to Aleksei from time to time. “Last night.”
“How was he killed?” I asked, a sense of danger stealing through my body.
Aleksei gulped down the rest of his drink, then slammed the glass onto the small table, before releasing a sigh of frustration. “He was hung upside down with his intestines curled up beneath him.”
A laugh of disbelief slipped from me. “You’re telling me he was gutted?”
Dominik nodded.
“I’m not worried,” Aleksei announced. “Whoever it is, it’s a small fish, otherwise I would’ve been attacked by now. I have more pressing matters to worry about.”
“More pressing matters?” I repeated slowly. “You’re either insane or plain stupid, Aleksei. No small fish would ever dare to threaten you.”
“That’s enough, Kaya.” Dominik’s stern voice echoed around the room. Until he shut me down, I hadn’t realized I’d been yelling at Aleksei and Viktor had been getting ready to fight me. Fucking kiss-ass.
“He isn’t taking it as lightly as he’s letting on,” Viktor responded.
I was tempted to hit him—he always spoke to me in the same condescending voice, and the longer I let it slide, the bigger his balls were growing.
“We don’t want this to reach Father.”
