Page 105 of Vendetta Crown

I don't take the bait. "I can't forget what you've done, Tamara."

Aurora squeezes my hand, as if reminding me that now's not the time to bring up grievances.

I push open the heavy oak door to my office and step aside, letting Aurora enter first while keeping Tamara in my line of sight.

Once we're all inside, I close the door with a soft click.

"What's so urgent that you decided to meet us in person?"

I don't bother with pleasantries. With Tamara, it's best to cut straight to the point.

She takes a seat without waiting for an invitation and immediately starts speaking.

"There's a man that Uncle Semyon has partnered with. A police officer from Kansas City."

"Kristofer," Aurora whispers, the name barely audible. Her hand finds mine and squeezes so tight her nails dig into my palm.

"Yes, Kristofer..." Tamara continues, her eyes flicking to Aurora. "He scares me in ways that no man has ever scared me."

The temperature in the room seems to drop. Aurora's breathing has become shallow, and I know exactly who Tamara is describing.

"But my uncle believes him to be useful," Tamara says. "A high-ranking police officer who can provide protection and information as far out as Kansas City. But the man isn't right."

She leans forward, lowering her voice further. "He pretends to serve Semyon's interests, but I can tell that he's loyal to no one but himself. Whatever he wants, he'll burn everything to get it."

I know what he wants.

Aurora.

"My uncle doesn't believe me," Tamara continues. "He thinks that Kristofer can be controlled. But some monsters can't be controlled."

"Why are you telling me this?" I ask, my voice ice cold as I stare at her.

Tamara's perfect mask slips for just a moment. "Because I'm scared for my daughters."

Something inside me snaps.

"Your daughters?" I slam my palm against the desk. "The same daughters you were willing to sacrifice when your uncle's men attacked this mansion with the help of the Traids?"

Tamara's eyes widen, genuine shock crossing her face. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't play innocent," I spit. "Gregor told me everything. How you helped orchestrate Lev's death. How you stood by while they murdered your own son. How you let Kristofer access our security systems knowing your daughters were here when the Triads attacked."

Tamara rises to her feet, her perfectly manicured hand trembling. "You think I would let my children die? My flesh and blood?"

"You let Mikhail die," I say, each word a knife. "Your own son."

"That's not?—"

"You got into Mikayla's phone," I continue, letting the rage I've been containing pour out. "You used your own daughter to spy on us, knowing the consequences. You were willing to sacrifice everything and everyone for what? For your uncle? For your obsession with me?"

Aurora's hand finds mine, a silent anchor in the storm of my fury.

"Mikhail was..." Tamara's voice breaks. For once, the tremor seems genuine. "I never wanted?—"

"You never wanted what? To be caught? To face the consequences of your actions?" I step closer to her. "And now you come here, pretending to care about your daughters' safety? Where was that concern when you helped plan an attack on this house, knowing they were inside?"

Tamara's perfect face crumples, tears cutting through her makeup. "Is that what you truly believe of me? That I am so hateful?"

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