Page 78 of Betrayed in the Dark
“Be more specific,” Alex insists. “We need a date to work with.”
“I don’t know. There was snow on the ground and…” He furrows his brows, deep in thought. “Wait. It was New Year’s Day. Yeah, I know it was because Alastor was in the city for a meeting with…”
“A meeting with who?” Alex prompts.
He swallows nervously. “Mikhail and Kazimir Vasiliev.”
“Fuck.” Vin runs his fingers through his hair and stands, pacing. “What was the meeting for?”
“I don’t know. He made me wait outside.”
“You expect me to believe that, as Alastor’s right-hand man, you don’t know what the meeting entailed?” Vin asks, frustration lacing his voice.
“Listen, I might be his right-hand man, but there are certain things Alastor has always kept to himself. Something Adolfo taught him to do. The Manacorda and Vasiliev families always work together in secrecy. No one is ever privy to their plans.”
“And when did this meeting take place exactly?” Alex asks.
“In the morning,” he answers. “A few hours later, Madeleine arrived.”
“That can’t be a coincidence,” I note, looking directly at Vin.
“No, I’m afraid not.” Vin crosses his arms over his chest. “Anything else you’re forgetting to mention?”
“No. That’s everything. Well, actually…”
“What?” Alex abruptly stands, glaring at Tony. “What the fuck else happened?”
“Well, umm…” Tony stutters, glancing nervously between us. “The next day, Alastor’s father held an impromptu board meeting where he announced a change in his empire. Told everyone that Alastor would be taking over for him after his retirement instead of his older brother, Enzio. And…”
“And?” I grit my teeth.
He swallows nervously. “And that Alastor was engaged to Madeleine Alarie.”
I drag a hand through my hair, trying to piece everything together. “And that’s everything? You’re sure?”
“Positive. I’ve told you everything I know.” He looks at Vin, an unpleasant smirk forming on his face. “Now, will you make good on your word and leave? If Alastor catches you here, we’re all dead.”
Vin raises his gun, and fear coats Tony’s face as he aims straight at his temple and pulls the trigger. “Don’t worry, we’re leaving.”
Boom.Blood splatters the back wall as Tony’s head slumps to the side, his vacant eyes staring straight ahead.
“You got the letter?” Vin asks Alex as he reaches his glove-covered hand inside Tony’s drawer to retrieve his gun. He places it in Tony’s hand, wrapping his fingers around it before dropping his hand and letting them fall haphazardously over the desk.
Alex reaches inside his pocket and retrieves the fabricated suicide note. “Got it.” He places it beneath Tony’s other hand and steps back, inspecting the scene for anything that might indicate this wasn’t a suicide.
My mind races a hundred miles a minute. “Vin?” He glances my way. “We need to speak with the Vasiliev brothers.”
He sighs. “I know.” He takes a seat, dragging a hand down his face. “I was hoping to avoid them, but it seems like it’s time we meet with them. I’ll reach out to Enzio when we leave here to arrange a meeting.”
I nod, staring at the floor as my mind races with questions. “What the fuck did she get herself into?” Reaching for my phone, I check the last text I sent Madeleine an hour ago, only to see that it hasn’t been delivered. My chest tightens, and panic sets in. “Something’s wrong. My texts aren’t going through to Madeleine’s phone.”
Alex shakes his head. “Nothing’s wrong.” He glances at Vin. “She probably just wants to be alone now.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Because of what day it is.” Vin leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his head hanging low. “This day never gets any easier for her. For any of us, really.”
I look between them, frustrated that I’m missing something. “Will someone tell me what fucking day it is?”
