Page 283 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘Did you?’

‘Of course.’

Mimi frowns to herself, lifts a hand to press over his heart.

‘Say again.’

‘I had a lovely Christmas, sweetheart.’

‘Lie makes a double bee,’ she informs him seriously.

‘Beat, and yes, you’re right, but Daddy is tired, so his heart is doing crazy shit all the time.’

‘Is that why you hurt Jewel’s heart?’

‘I didn’t want to.’ He arranges her leaf necklace on the bedside table.

‘Then say sorry and still love him, like we did.’

‘It’s not that easy.’

Mimi frowns but says nothing.

By the time she’s asleep and Lachlan goes to get eyes on the den, Blaire is curled into one corner of the sofa while Jules and Vasily read together on the floor. Old books, yellowed pages.

Mikhail’s precious heirlooms, now bequeathed to his last living son.

Lachlan still has the necklace, should Vasily ever want it.

Jules reads over Vasily’s shoulder.

They are both utterly enraptured.

They don’t even notice him coming in, which is exactly what he hoped for. He loves that they’re friends.

Blaire says nothing, only offers a comforting smile.

Lachlan goes back on shift, makes it two hours before Danya corners him. He’s in the smaller service kitchen checking the external feeds on his tablet when Danya comes in with Zaitsev behind him and closes the door. Danya nods at Zaitsev, who obliges them and stands guard outside.

Lachlan sets the tablet on the counter. ‘I’m working.’

‘So am I.’

Danya stands opposite him across the steel prep table.

No smile, no restless humour in his eyes.

Arms crossed, he asks, ‘He still thinks we fucked.’

‘I had to end it.’

‘So end it.’

‘Danny—’

‘Do not let him think the first person he loved betrayed him!’

Lachlan’s jaw tightens. ‘He’ll know the truth eventually.’