“Ifsomeone like that was at my event, it wasn’t because I invited him. I didn’t have control overeveryonewho came. I told you, I just wanted to meet new, powerful families to try and grow our alliances in the city. That was my only goal, and ourenemies came in to stop that from happening. They want to keep our family weak!”
Bardil lies so easily that it makes my stomach churn.Allof the men who were at his party were most likely from out of town and into black market auctions. His party had nothing to do with building alliances.
Marlen takes a step away from Bardil and turns to look at me. His face is taut with anger. His eyes burn hazel-green, much brighter than I’ve seen before.
“Marlen, he’s lying,” I whisper, already knowing it’s pointless. He’s made it clear he is standing by his brother’s side and won’t listen to anything I have to say.
Marlen shakes his head and takes a deep breath. Bardil walks closer to him and places his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Don’t listen to what this lying girl says to you. I’m your brother, Marlen. Your family,” he says, making my stomach churn. I wish Marlen could see that I’m not the one manipulating him. Bardil is.
“Get your hand off me,” Marlen snaps at his brother.
“Come on, man, don’t be like th…”
Marlen spins, his fist clenched as it arches toward Bardil. His knuckles smack into Bardil’s jaw, and Bardil’s head snaps back with the force of it.
He lands on his ass on the floor, staring up at Marlen in absolute shock.
I stare too, my mouth dropped open, as surprised as Bardil was by Marlen’s sudden lashing out.
“Alex Sokolov,” Marlen says, walking to Bardil and standing over him.
Bardil winces at the mention of this name. My brows knit together, trying to recall if I’ve ever heard it before. I’m sure I have.Sokolov. Aren’t they our newest alliance? My brothers never tell me anything!
Bardil says nothing. Marlen carries on, watching his brother’s reactions.
“Alex Sokolov. A nice guy, actually. I had a chat with him early this morning,” Marlen says. Despite the calm of his voice, the energy around him is threatening.
Bardil scoots backward along the floor. He laughs nervously. “I’ve never heard of him,” he lies.
“Funny, because he knows exactly who you are,brother.”
“Look, Marlen, please, man, whatever they told you…”
“They told me everything.”
“It’s not true!” Bardil pleads.
Marlen scoffs.
“Unfortunately, Bardil, this time there was proof. The money you borrowed from Sokolov… the fact that you couldn’t pay it back. You panicked. You started trying to get another debtor to lend you money to pay your first debtor. They refused. It got ugly…”
“I was stuck!” Bardil shouts defensively. “They pushed me into a corner. They threatened my life! They threatened my family!”
Marlen closes his eyes. My heart races watching the two of them as the truth finally comes out.
“They threatened your life, so you thought you’d host a party and hopefully make some quick money. Right? That’s what really happened.”
Marlen is glaring at his brother, his eyes dark with anger. Pain. Anger. Betrayal.
Bardil is his brother. His family. The last person he expected this from.
Bardil has nothing to say. He can see it’s too late. Marlen knows everything, and there’s nothing hecansay now.
“Bardil, you were the one in the wrong the entire time. You kidnapped Angelika to sell her on the black market, hoping to make enough money to cover your debt.” Marlen’s voice is edged with disbelief. “In all my life, in all my years, I would never have believed you capable of such a thing.” He sounds broken-hearted.
Bardil scampers to his feet, holding his hands up defensively.
Stammering his words apologetically.
