Page 150 of Nemesis

“Everyone knows him, Octavia.”

“I’m flattered,” Ivan drawls with a smile. “Who knew I’d have to go halfway across the country for my reputation to stand up on its own.”

“What is he doing here?” Ben asks, looking directly at me with a tense expression.

I lean back in my chair. He’s not going to like this.

“To get the resources we needed, I had to make a deal.”

Alex glances up from his phone, fingers halting mid-text. I left him with the job of drawing up covert housing arrangements for our new army, which has kept him busy ever since the impromptu wedding.

“What did you give them?”

My nails find a new scab to pick below the table. “I brought seventy-five men⁠—”

“What did you give them?” Ben repeats, slower.

I straighten at his tone. “Technically, I am also Popov’s heir. I agreed to hand over his empire to a man of Mikhail’s choosing after they help us conquer it. He chose Ivan.”

A shriek echoes from the floorboards below, punctuating my statement. Then comes a low wail composed of incoherent pleas for help.

I hope Vas is making more progress than I am at the moment.

“So we outnumber them now?” Nik asks with wide eyes.

“It doesn’t matter if we outnumber them,” Ben says. “How do we know he won’t turn around and launch an attack on us after all’s said and done? This was stupid.”

“Simple,” Ivan says, unchanged. “I won’t.”

“No offense, man, but I don’t trust you for shit. You think I haven’t heard the stories about you and Solokov?” Ben’s voice sharpens. “You took advantage of her with this deal, and we both know it.”

“Ben,” Alex admonishes.

“I’m not trying to be insulting. You are family, Octavia, and I’d die for you, but you didn’t grow up in this world, and you’ve never dealt with these types of men. We should’ve never left you in the position to be exploited by their negotiations⁠—”

“You’re out of turn,” Alex cuts in, but I wave him off.

“It’s alright,” I say. “Let him speak his mind.”

“Octavia, I only want to keep you safe,” Ben says, eyes pleading with mine. “There’s a reason why we keep our women out of the illegal side of our business. The same reason Mom is tucked away in a safehouse with half of our remaining guards. You are too precious. Too important. I should’ve never let you fly to New York in the first place.”

“Wow.” Ivan raises a brow. “You guys are kinda sexist for being the first female-led syndicate.”

“It’s not sexist to want to shield my baby cousin from the horrors of war. There’s no one to hold her hand out there. There’s no way to look away from the bodies and blood⁠—”

“I’ve seen my fair share of bodies and blood,” I finally say, breaking my careful silence.

He at least has the good nature to look ashamed. “I know, O. And you sat with him for hours. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the look on your face.”

I’m not sure if it was wise to allow Ben to share his thoughts so publicly, but it’s nothing the others aren’t already thinking. If I don’t cut out the rot, every limb of this syndicate will be poisoned against me. Now isn’t the time for a revolt.

Nonetheless, some part of me pulses with hurt I’ll never allow to surface. We had nothing when I left. No allies. No resources. If we had waited any longer, I do not doubt that one of us would’ve done something careless and emotional like sneak onto Popov’s land and launch a solo attack. I had to take a risk. I had to ask for help in the one place neither Ben nor Alex would’ve turned. Why doesn’t he understand that?

I lift my chin, addressing the entire table.

“I’ve spent days in a cage because of this family.”

Their gazes leap to mine.