Page 134 of Feral King

Part of me wants to tell him to stop. But there’s a greater part that is happy to let him keep talking.

He turns. “Yang just arrived,” he says. “Excuse me for a moment.”

“I’ll come with,” I say.

“You sure? No need for you to involve yourself in Bratva business if you prefer not to.”

“After these last couple of months, I don’t think there’s any coming back from my level of involvement. Besides, what kind of host would I be if I didn’t say hello?”

“Fair enough. Come on.”

I turn and mouth, “Be right back” to Anya and Ethan, then start across the room with Julian.

Mr. Yang is headed in our direction, crossing the ballroom with a silver-handled cane and a small sincere smile. A handful of his guards surround him.

“Mr. Yang.” Julian nods. “Welcome.”

“Mr. Volkov. Ms. Thibodeaux.” Yang appears far more relaxed than the last time I saw him. “Both of you look extraordinarily well, considering.”

“Thank you Mr. Yang,” I reply. “Considering.”

He laughs lightly. “Might I have a word with you both? I’ll make it brief—I wouldn’t dream of keeping you from your duties as hosts.”

We step into a quiet alcove near the mezzanine stairs. Yang lowers his voice.

“The arrangement has been finalized. My legal team in Shanghai signed the papers yesterday. Assuming all moves along as planned, the Pacific corridor opens next month. Manila and Ho Chi Minh in the first quarter.”

“And the terms are unchanged?” Julian asks.

“Naturally. The full original framework. There is a lot of money to be made, and I’m eager to begin.” Yang pauses, glances at me, then back to Julian. “There is one other matter that I wish to discuss—something I couldn’t put in writing, something that you both will want to hear about.”

Julian and I say nothing, waiting for him to continue.

“Alexander and Sophia were processed through a facility in Qinghai last Thursday. Very remote. Maximum security. No contact with the outside world. I… doubt they’ll survive long.”

I’m not quite sure how to feel. At one time, I cared deeply for both those people.

Julian’s expression is neutral. “And the old debt?”

“Cleared entirely. Your brother and his companion were sufficient payment. You should know—that debt was what made my original arrangement with you difficult to secure.” A small smile forms on his lips. “But that friction no longer exists. Your enemies became my currency, Julian. Balance is restored.”

“Thank you, Chen.”

“Thankyou. This arrangement will prove to be quite profitable for both of us. I look forward to reaping the rewards with you.” He turns to me. “And Miss Thibodeaux—congratulations on this evening’s event. I wish you nothing but success.”

“Thank you, Mr. Yang, truly.”

He nods at each of us, then glides back into the crowd.

I purse my lips for a moment. “I’ve been meaning to ask. Whatever happened with your stepmom?”

“Laura? Gone.”

My eyes go wide. “Dead?”

“Gone, as in out of the country. Barcelona, last I heard.” He shrugs. “She took about $2 million in jewelry from myfather’s vault. She’ll surface eventually, because she won’t be able to resist meddling in Anya’s life.”

“Are you going to look for her?”