Page 136 of Brutal Truths

“Enough, Katerina!” Viktor’s tone is sharp and noticeable. “You and Rurik have done enough. What’s done is done. I killed my son for less. Don’t assume I won’t do the same to you.”

That shuts her up. The anger stays, but she keeps it to herself.

Darius lowers himself into a chair, eyes shifting toward the bed. “So, what now?”

I follow his gaze. Rurik lies there, attached to more machines than a man should need to stay alive. They are keeping him that way, from what I’ve been told. If it were my call, we’d pull the plug. Unfortunately, no one’s asking me.

“He will be taken care of soon.” Viktor looks across the room at Rurik with disgust. “We are waiting for Darya to come. She’s requested closure.”

Katerina pushes to her feet and heads for the door. “I’m leaving.”

He doesn’t stop her. “Wait in the hall.”

The door shuts behind her, and Viktor shakes his head. “Forgive her. She was close to Rurik. Raised together.” His mood darkens. “That does not excuse what they’ve done. She’ll be dealt with.”

Darius doesn’t ask how. Neither do I. I’ve lived in this world long enough to know better than to want those details.

Reaching into his briefcase, he pulls out the ledger. Viktor’s name is in it, along with a few others from the Del Markov family. He won’t show him, just knowing we have it is enough.

“This ends now.” Darius’s voice, while not loud, has a commanding presence. “Leave and don’t come back. This is just a drop in the bucket of what I have on your family. I’ve overlooked matters twice so far.”

The room goes eerily quiet for several moments. Both men looking at the other, not willing to look away.

“There won’t be a third.” Darius pulls out a piece of paper and passes it to him. “Clear?”

Viktor unfolds it. He reads it without a word. His jaw tightens, the only reaction he allows, before folding it again and shoving it into his suit pocket. “Yes.”

“Good.” Darius stands and heads for the door. “Twenty-four hours. Be gone. Or suffer the consequences.”

I don’t speak until we’re in the hall and on our way down the stairs. “Mind explaining?”

Wearing a stupid grin, he shakes his head. “Some secrets are better left alone. You should know this by now. Just trust me. He knows I don’t bluff and won’t cross me again.”

“There are days I have to wonder if you’re not just as bad as they are,” I tell him, honestly.

He only laughs. “One thing you’ll learn after doing this long enough is that you can’t be afraid to play the hand you’re dealt. There’s a fine line between good and evil. As long as the only people I hurt are those who deserve it, I don’t care.”

“Same,” I tell him—and I mean that.

Chapter 42

Isabel

My grandfather’s funeral was this morning.

I thought saying goodbye would be the hardest part. It wasn’t. Watching my grandmother break all over again… that’s what will stay with me. The way she looked at his casket as if waiting for him to wake up, like this was all just a horrible dream.

The penthouse doesn’t feel like home anymore. It feels empty. Too still. Like the walls are holding their breath, waiting for someone who isn’t coming back.

I’ve made a tough choice. After today, his death will be my secret.

I know it’s a lie. I know what it means. But I’ve learned that sometimes the truth does more harm than good. She’ll be told he’s away on business and that he’s entrusted me with her care until he returns.

There will be days when she’ll remember. When the truth hits her all over again. I’m prepared to deal with that, help her through it.

But if I can give her even a little peace in between, isn’t that worth it? It’s better than forcing her to live in that pain every single day. I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing, but right now, it feels like the only thing I can do.

“Come sit with me.” Grams pats the bench beside her, her eyes already fixed on the painting. “Let me tell you about this one.”