Page 87 of Betrayed in the Dark
The doors slide open, and we step off directly into the gaudiest room I’ve ever seen. Gold covers everything, from the chandelier to the picture frames and even the wallpaper.
“Told you,” Leo remarks quietly as we follow our host toward the end of the hall.
Kazimir pushes open the double-wide doors. “Brothers, our guests have arrived.”
We step into the room, where the other four brothers are waiting for us with eager expressions.
The largest among them sits behind a desk, standing up as we enter, appearing emotionless. Tattoos cover every inch of hisarms and peek out beneath the collar of his shirt, spreading up his neck. “The Alaries,” he says.
“Mikhail,” Vin acknowledges.
“It has been quite some time,” Mikhail responds.
“Some might argue it hasn’t been long enough.” Vin crosses his arms over his chest.
Mikhail studies him for a moment before looking at the rest of us and sitting down. “Please, take a seat.”
We do, the four of us positioning ourselves on one side of the desk while the five Vasiliev brothers occupy the other side, whether sitting or standing.
Mikhail steeples his fingers in front of him. “I heard you were here just a few months ago, visiting our father.”
“We were,” Leo confirms.
“What was the purpose of your visit?”
“Why don’t you ask him?” Leo asks. “Oh wait…”
One of the brothers abruptly stands. “Sit, Emil,” Mikhail orders, narrowing his eyes at Leo. “He didn’t mean anything by his words.” He leans forward. “Speaking of our father, you wouldn’t have had anything to do with his death, correct?”
“Heard he was killed in an explosion,” Vin says. “At an illegal sex club, if my memory serves me right.” Vintsks.“Nasty business to be involved in.”
“Women were made for our pleasure,” Kazimir answers. “Their only purpose in life is to provide a hole for fucking and heirs. Nothing more. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“No, we don’t,” Leo quickly answers. “Your father was under the impression that it was okay to kidnap innocent women and then auction them off to work as sex slaves, all to make a quick buck. We had heard rumors that your views differed, but perhaps we were wrong.”
“Not wrong,” Mikhail offers, casting a sharp look at Kazimir. “But it’s not entirely accurate either.”
“Heard your wife was supposed to star in one of those auctions,” Kazimir notes with a grin. “Is it too late to bid?”
Vin’s hand slaps down on Leo’s chest before he can rise from his seat. Leo’s hands tighten around the arms of his chair as he tries to rein in his fury, his shoulders tightening by the second.
“The next time you bring Scarlett into this, I won’t stop him from defending her honor,” Vin warns, his authority clear.
Kazimir raises his hands in mock surrender. “Noted.”
“We’ve heard rumors as well—that it was you who killed our father,” another brother voices as he points an accusatory finger directly at Leo. “You, specifically.”
Leo grins, relaxing in his seat. “Got any proof?”
The brother steps away from the wall, scowling at Leo. “I don’t need any proof to kill you, motherfucker.”
Vin stands. “Make one more threat against my brother, Alik, and it will be your last words.”
One of the brothers laughs. “Jeez, you can cut the tension with a knife in here.” He crosses his arms over his chest and leans back in his seat. “Maybe you four should just get to the point and tell us why you’re here.”
“Yes, Luka, I agree,” Mikhail says, his tone laced with boredom. “Why have you requested such an urgent visit with us?”
“Alastor is not marrying Madeleine,” I blurt out, causing every pair of eyes in the room to land on me.
