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“Make it quick. I have a dead man to meet.”
Lavena’s eyebrow lifted, but she kept whatever thought she was having to herself. “Are you marrying Abilene Beaumont?”
“What? No, of course not.”
“Why does Kami think you are?” she shot back almost immediately.
“There was a misunderstanding.”
“Did you lie to her because you were done fucking her?”
“Are you out of your fucking mind?” I snarled, my fury snapping momentarily out of control.
She didn’t bat an eye at my outrage. “Answer the question.”
“No!” I growled.
“When you see her tonight, what’s your plan?”
I hesitated on that one. I hadn’t thought it through. All week, all I’d wanted was to see her, be with her. Since waking up that morning, all I thought about was that evening when I would see her again and tell her … everything. I hadn’t gone beyond that. Ihadn’t even prioritized the things I wanted to tell her, only that there was so much change we had to discuss.
“Talk to her,” I decided.
“About what?”
I frowned. “None of your business.”
“Was it the deal you made with Abilene?”
I controlled the muscles of my face, kept my voice even when I replied, “What are you talking about?”
Lavena rolled her eyes. “Enough bullshit, okay? I don’t know how stupid you think I am, but let’s face it, I’m smart enough to figure out what was happening. It took me a minute when Kami begged us to just let you marry a ninety-year-old woman, that it was what she wanted. Bull. Shit! Kami has been in love with your dumb ass for too long to just shrug her shoulders and walk away, giving her blessings to another woman like it’s nothing. So, I wondered what the deal was with that. Super weird. It didn’t take rocket science. Everyone knows the power and influence Abilene holds over the majority of the city. Now, why would you need those things unless something big was happening, something so horrible that Kami would sacrifice her happiness to make sure you were safe.” Lavena paused for only a split second before blurting, “Volkov. He’s after you, isn’t he? That’s why you needed Abilene.”
It was difficult recognizing the jumble of emotions winding up inside my chest. There was annoyance that my sister was such a pain in the ass. There was surprise that she’d figured all of that out. There was amusement, though I wasn’t sure why, but above all that, at the very crown of it all was pride.
“I’m right, aren’t I?” she pressed, moving a step closer, her expression soft with a hint of concern. “Uriah wants revenge.”
I studied my baby sister’s face and laughed inwardly thinking how hard Father worked to keep things from her and my mom,how clever he thought we both were only for both of the women to figure it out on their own. I really wasn’t surprised.
“Yes,” I said quietly.
Lavena drew in a breath. “We bomb their house tomorrow.”
“No!” I took hold of her shoulders. “No, we’re not doing anything. Lavena, look at me. It’s been settled. Abilene has agreed to back us. Coming after me or anyone I care about would be the last thing Volkov does. Okay? Nod.”
She nodded slowly. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, but I need you to swear, swear to me that you will not do anything to make this bigger than it already is.”
Lavena’s face crumpled into one of outrage. “I’m not an idiot, Darius. I know when to step down.”
“Do you?” We heard Kas’s mutter under her breath.
Next to her, Sasha snorted but stayed quiet.
“Both of you shut it,” Lavena grumbled.
“I didn’t set out to hurt Kami.” I released my sister’s arms and took a step back. “I was trying to protect her.”
