Page 96 of House of Lies
“Set it up. I’ll be there.”
Sevastyan is on the run. Dmitri is still searching for Fiona. My grandfather isn’t as much help as I had hoped he would be. At least I have Mattia. I regret ordering my men to kill Ludovic so swiftly only after a week of torture, but I wanted no more surprises. Mattia will have to pay for his brother’s sins as well.
“Now tell me, is Russian pussy not good enough for you?” I narrow my eyes, knowing he won’t let it end there. “You could’ve married anyone, Kazimir. Why bring back a foreign whore?”
There it is. I was wondering when he would bring up Caelia.
“That’s my wife you are talking about. You won’t disrespect her like that. I am not like you, Dedushka. I won’t hesitate to kill my own family to protect the woman I love.”
I need to sell this convincingly. I need him to mind his own business and leave her alone. I wouldn’t be surprised if he attempted to take her out of the picture.
Surprisingly, the admission doesn’t feel strange coming out of my mouth. The words don’t burn my tongue as I had expected. They are real.
“You have more of your father in you than you realize.” He smiles.
It sounds like a compliment, so I’ll take it. There’s nothing more to be said. I realize just how alone I am in all of this. There is no help where I anticipated it, and there is nothing I can do except fight against my family and my blood. The thought of Dedushka’s death doesn’t thrill me. Even though it would mean I could kill Sevastyan once he’s gone, I don’t want him to die. I want to get him the help he needs, not leave him alone in this estate to wither away. He’s a proud man, and he won’t accept my help. But I need him at his best for as long as possible while figuring out how to take his place once he’s gone. I would rather die than see Sevastyan follow in his footsteps. I’ll need his associates on board with this. I hate everything about this plan, but I know where I stand.
CHAPTER 62
Caelia
I’ve been searching all day for a word to describe Kazimir’s home, but I have no idea what it is. It’s somewhere between an estate and a palace fit for a tsar. As the car pulled in this morning, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the magnificent exterior of the building. Considering the intimidating armed men I’ve seen, it could also pass for a fortress.
Perched atop a hill, the estate overlooks a lush forest. Its exterior is adorned with intricate ornaments, constructed from a dark red stone, and crowned with a roof of black tiles. Towering ancient spires reach toward the sky.
“Aren’t you going to give me a tour?” I ask.
“I brought you here safely, Caelia. I’m not your tour guide.”
I knew this was a bad idea. Right now, I’m only teasing Vanya, whom I found resting in one room, reclining on the couch. We arrived here earlier today, and I’ve been given free rein to explore the grounds as long as I don’t attempt to leave. I’ve covered as much ground as possible, but exhaustion sets in. There are two gardens outside, bright with an array of vibrant flowers and dappled with various trees. Cobblestone pathways wind through the gardens. The interior is surreal, with high arched ceilings and ornate crystal chandeliers. The walls are adorned with paintings and tapestries depicting tales from a bygone era. The floors are polished marble, and the furniture exudes a dark, antique charm. A grand dining hall has a large mahogany table at its center.
Vanya showed me to Kaz’s room. I suppose it will be my bedroom for the next six months. In the middle of the room stands a four-poster bed draped in black silk. There’s a walk-in closet, a bathroom lined with dark and gold marble, and a spacious bathtub in the center. It’s a luxurious paradise overall. I would never have left this place or assumed a false identity in a foreign country, not even for revenge. I wonder how long it will take for it to become my hell.
Ignoring Vanya’s sour mood, I sit in the armchair across from the couch. He’s quiet, but the silence surrounding him makes the air suffocating. It makes everything uncomfortable. I understand that he’s a vital part of Kaz’s life. That’s the only reason I’m willing to find a compromise with him. I don’t want to spend the rest of my time here fighting with him.
“Why do you hate me so much?” I decide it’s best to be blunt.
He sits up, leans forward, and rests his elbows on his knees. His piercing blue eyes bore into mine, sending a shiver down my spine.
“He put himself in danger because of you. He returned to find you, knowing my father was after him. And not only are you an ungrateful brat trying to escape at every opportunity, but you also stabbed him.”
“I thought he was Mattia. He never told me the truth.”
“If you had known who he was, would you have acted differently? Would you have backed down if he had been the only thing standing between you and your freedom?”
He has me cornered, and he knows it. A malicious smile curves across his lips as he watches me. I want to get along with him, honestly. But it’s hard to like someone who lacks a filter and hurls harsh truths at me.
“Probably not,” I admit. “But he was never forthcoming with the truth, so we’ll never know what I would or wouldn’t have done. Don’t blame me for this mess.” I shake my head. “I never asked him to come back for me. I didn’t even know who he was.”
“That’s the thing. You don’t have to ask him to do anything for you. He would do it anyway.”
“I’m not responsible for his actions or decisions. He’s an adult. He can choose what he wants to do, and we both know that neither of us can stop him.”
“I know about your deal.” He narrows his eyes. I’m not surprised that Kaz told him. We may need to put on a convincing act for everyone else, but his cousin would never fall for it. “You’re going to hurt him.”
I should’ve stayed in the bedroom. My head is spinning.
“We’re going to hurt each other. And there’s no avoiding it. I didn’t want to be here. I never asked for any of this. Your blame is misplaced.”