Ivo swung his head around. “Really?”
Vitki nodded. “The Vítkovský Clan has been around for centuries. As you can imagine, we have obtained quite a bit of land in that time.”
The wrinkle that appeared between Ivo’s dark-brown eyebrows intrigued Vitki. “My name is Koubek, not Vítkovský. I’m not part of your clan.”
Vitki wished Max was still around so he could strangle the man. Nothing had been explained to Ivo, not one damn thing. Since he couldn’t strangle Max, Vitki smiled at Ivo. “You are now.”
Ivo’s frown deepened, creasing his forehead even more. “Are you sure that’s how it works? I inherited Max’s money, not his family.”
Oh, if only he knew.
“Max made you the beneficiary of his entire estate. That means everything, even his family connections.”
“I’m not sure that’s how it works.”
“Trust me, it does.”
And then some.
Ivo stared for a moment as if digesting what Vitki said. Then he turned and looked out the window again. Vitki wanted to say more, but hesitated. He wasn’t sure what Ivo could handle and what he couldn’t. He suspected Ivo had a strong will, but he had nothing to base his belief on aside from Ivo’s small outburst at the airport.
“My parents are from around here somewhere.” Ivo glanced over his shoulder. “I’d really like to see where they grew up and where I was born. Would it be possible to find out where and go see it?”
Vitki raised his eyebrows. “You don’t know?”
Ivo shook his head. “They didn’t like discussing the old country much.”
“Ivo, you and your parents are from the Vítkovský Clan. This is where you were born.”
Ivo stared for a moment before a burst of laughter shot out of his mouth. “You’re pulling my leg.”
“I am not. You were born in a small cottage not far from the main manor house. Your father is of the Vítkovský Clan. Your mother is from a clan farther north. She joined the Vítkovský Clan when they married.”
“Why did they never tell me?”
Vitki didn’t have an answer to that. Ivo should have been told as soon as he was able to understand who he was.
“Why didn’t Max tell me?” Ivo asked. “He had to know.”
Vitki winced. “Yes, I imagine he did.”
Ivo went silent after that, turning back to stare out the window. He seemed so forlorn. Vitki reached over and patted his shoulder. “There is much we can tell you of your parents once we reach home.”
Ivo’s whisper was almost silent. “I’m not sure I want to know about people who lied to me.”
Vitki drew in a breath and then let it out slowly. He could understand Ivo’s anger. So many things had been withheld from him, things that should have been explained as soon as he could understand them.
Vitki’s stomach knotted as he realized he was also keeping things from Ivo, but he didn’t have a choice. He had been sworn to secrecy until they arrived home. The danger to Ivo was ever present. Until he was behind the walls of the estate, Vitki would have to hold his tongue.
A vehicle suddenly slammed into the side of the car. Vitki should have been prepared for it. He should have been prepared for anything. Except he wasn’t. His mind had been on what Ivo was going through instead of on protecting him.
Vitki was still able to grab Ivo and wrap his arms around him, protecting his head as their car slid across the road and hit a tree with a sickeningcrunchand a shower of glass. The shaking of the car had barely stopped before he pushed Ivo down and pulled his gun, then pointed it at the armed men advancing toward them.
Pulling the trigger was easy. Listening to Ivo’s screams was not. They were sounds that never should have left Ivo’s lips, and ones Vitki never wanted to hear again. There was so much fear, and some pain. He pulled the trigger again—blowing out some guy’s kneecap—just because he could.
When all of the men who had advanced on their position were down, Vitki unbuckled his seat belt and then reached for Ivo’s. He didn’t like the idea that Ivo was between him and the guys with the guns, even if they were down on the ground, writhing in pain.
“Yuval, Miro, are you hurt?” he called out to the men in the front seats. He didn’t want to take his eyes off of the assailants on the ground.
