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Lilja would’ve definitely stuck to her brothers if that happened. Cold washed over me just imagining how Callum would’ve hurt her if she’d been unlucky enough to meet me back then.
Maybe that was the only reason she didn’t want to hurt me like the others. Her heart was still unscathed by betrayal and the need for revenge.
Yakim and Leon came in last to join their siblings.
The cake and the hot chocolate sauce were ready to go as well.
“That looks amazing!” Lilja gasped as I carried the food to the table. “I’m sure I can have the entire bowl of this sauce.”
“Have a taste first,” I said, feeling nervous.
Lilja stood up and grabbed the knife. Glee settled into her eyes as she cut out a large chunk of the cake.
“Leave some for the rest of us,” Mikhail muttered, still looking disgruntled.
I hurried away to get the coffee and settled down with them for a bite.
“This is so delicious!” Lilja crooned, closing her eyes. “It’s so hard to find a good chocolate cake. This one hits the spot just right.”
“The secret is to splurge on all the chocolate you’ve got lying around,” I said with a chuckle.
“I don’t like sweets but this one’s good,” said Leon with a serious face. “There’s a hint of bitterness that I’m liking.”
“I love my sweets,” said Mikhail, polishing off his piece quickly and grabbing another one.
I looked toward Yakim, waiting for his verdict.
He glanced at me, a forkful of cake hovering at his lips. “It’s okay,” he said shortly.
“Just okay?” Leon asked, nudging him with his elbow.
“It tastes like home,” said Yakim, staring right at me.
My heart pounded in my chest. Was he telling me he remembered the taste of my chocolate cake from all those years ago?
“Now that we’re here, let’s talk about the upcoming gala,” Lilja spoke after a while.
“Not again,” Yakim muttered.
“Ignoring it won’t make it go away, dude,” said Leon, wrapping his arm lazily around Yakim’s chair’s backrest. “You’ve got to gear up because we need to make a statement this year.”
“What are you guys talking about?” I asked curiously. “Does ‘gala’ have the same meaning here as in the outside world?”
“Yep,” said Lilja. “There’ll be gowns, jewels and fat, old men in tuxes.”
“Here?” I asked, surprised. Volkov Manor was too grim a place to host a party.
Mikhail chuckled. “Is itthatsurprising that we throw balls and parties here?”
“Kind of,” I said honestly.
“This gala happens once every five years,” said Lilja. “It’s the only opportunity for outsiders to step into our home. You have no idea the lengths some people go to get our invites.”
“Why?” I asked, wondering why anyone would want to come to this cold, desolate manor in the middle of nowhere.
“Why?” Mikhail echoed. “Don’t you understand who we are yet, Princess? We’re assassins. The most powerful men want us as friends and allies so they don’t end up being our prey. We’re offered a ludicrous amount of cash to stop us from accepting a job for their heads.”
“This is our first time as hosts,” Leon said in a serious tone. “Our dads took care of everything before. It’s our turn to manage this family’s affairs now.”
