Page 86 of Shadows of the Past
“But not if you kill him,” she says, and I catch the flicker of understanding in her gaze.
“I could do it and no one could prove it, but the old hyena isn't stupid. His will clearly states everything comes to me only if his death is natural. Only one person handles his food, so poisoning is complicated because that man is completely loyal to the maniac. He's had the same doctor for thirty years, equally hard to replace, and believe me, I've tried to infiltrate his inner circle.”
"Max, did he ever abuse you?" Her voice is so quiet, I almost miss it, but I know what she means. I know what kind of abuse she’s talking about. Suddenly, I can’t block out the six-year-old version of myself, the one who used to cry when the bedroom door creaked open. The one who begged, even as the belt came off. The one who finally learned there was no use in begging or crying, not when his cigar was being stubbed out on my skin.
Even without saying a word, she must see it all on my face. Because in the next breath, she says, "I'll do it. Give me the name."
?
For the next hour, I watch her and Julia working side by side, breaking into the ErestonLabs database and deactivating Ivan’s device. Luna’s hands fly across the keyboard, and for a second, I consider offering her a permanent spot in the organization. But Roman would probably start a war, and the last thing I need is another feud with my brother, especially once he gets here.
"Message Akim," Julia says suddenly, and for a moment I freeze.
This is it, the moment I’ve waited years for. I thought I’d feel more, maybe even relief. Instead, there’s just a flicker of jealousy that Akim will get to see the fear in his eyes. Because for once, Ivan will be alone, powerless. For a man used to feeding on everyone else's fear, that’s a fitting end.
I shoot Akim the green light and wait.
"Done," I tell them, as Julia leans back in her chair, a tired smile on her lips.
While we wait for Akim’s confirmation, I sense someone behind me and don’t have to turn to know it’s Julia.
"It hardly feels real," she whispers.
"No. But we’re free, Juls. Finally, we’re free."
We sit there in the quiet. Her pinky finds mine, and for a while, that's all we do—just exist in the relief of knowing we finally have a chance to help all those kids fighting monsters, kids who thought no one would ever save them.
"Go talk to her," Julia urges, slipping away to our tiny kitchen.
I turn to Luna, the woman who tamed my brother, and see the worry etched across her face. She doesn't even notice me approaching, and something about that irks me. Roman should really teach her to keep her guard up.
I’m not great with conversation, except with Akim or Julia, but I remember the way she looked around that field when we pulled her out, searching for anyone left.
"The driver is fine," I offer.
That gets her attention.
"And the other one?"
Notifications from the drone confirm only one made it out. So I don’t sugarcoat it. "No."
She slips right back into her head, and it hits me that these aren’t just soldiers to her.
"You care about them," I say, the words rough, awkward.
"They were there because I wanted to have coffee with Victoria outside the house," she says, her voice tight. "It's normal to care and feel guilty."
I want to tell her it’s not her fault the Irish came after her, that she’s done more than enough just by staying alive. But nothing comes out.
"Can I leave now?"
I’m about to answer when one of the guards at the door murmurs there’s a car two miles out. He doesn’t need to tell me who’s driving because I already know. And due to the look on my face, Luna must know too. She bolts for the door, a new light in her eyes.
"Will you stay here when he comes?" she asks, voice low.
She probably thinks I’ll run. But I'm done keeping Alexei Borisov's secret.
"I've never hidden from him, Luna.
