Page 347 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘Yeah. It’s in my room.’

Over the radio, Cole’s voice crackles to life.

‘Watch to First.’

Kade answers. ‘Kade here, go ahead.’

‘Boss has given you the go-ahead for the interrogation. He’ll monitor from here.’

‘Heard.’

‘There, see?’ Blaire says. ‘Much better.’

‘You’re his guest.’

‘This Tower was purchased by my sister.’

Kade parts his lips to argue, but Lachlan clears his throat.

Vasily is coming.

Having only known Vasily Sorrenko a few days, Kade can easily say this is the most dressed-down he’s ever seen him. Plain black pants, heavy boots and a dark orange sweater with the sleeves pushed to his forearms. No rings. No velvet, silk or gold. His hair is tied carelessly at the nape of his neck, and without all his usual colour and ornament, he seems drastically younger and frankly exhausted.

Kade can relate.

‘He is inside?’

‘Yeah. We were waiting for you,’ Lachlan tells him.

‘Silly,’ Blaire says, her hand on his arm. ‘You don’t have to do this.’

‘I need to.’

‘He will be cruel. Some of what he says will be true.’

‘Roman is my brother. He is my responsibility.’ Vasily glances around. ‘We wait for Riley, yes?’

‘He’s not coming.’

‘Why?’

‘It’s better that he doesn’t,’ Blaire tells him.

‘This is his domain.’

‘Yes, and he just invaded yours and led a cadre of high-calibre Resets into the place we called home for years.’

‘That was my idea,’ Kade insists. ‘And we only came for the book. Riley has known for years where the Front operate. He always respected their territory and never pushed for anything serious.’

Vasily cocks his head. ‘He knew? That is… alarming, but also quite nice.’

‘You defend him so determinedly,’ Blaire observes.

‘He’d do the same for me.’

‘Yes, I suppose he would. Are we ready, then?’

All three men nod. Lachlan opens the door.