“Viktor…Viktor…”
My name brought me out of my reverie, and I turned toward the voice. Maddie smiled cheerfully before speaking again. “Evaline is coming back.”
At my sister’s name, the tightness in my chest disappeared a little. “Does she know?” I asked, looking at Alessio.
He shook his head. “Since the day I came home and announced your death, she left and never came back again. Nikolay has been keeping an eye on her, though. To make sure she’s okay.”
Nikolay nodded in quick acknowledgment before he focused on his plate again. I reminded myself to thank him later. If it was Nikolay keeping an eye on my sister, then I knew she was in the best hands.
“She has been mourning your death, Viktor,” Ayla whispered. She reached out and placed a hand on mine, giving it a soothing squeeze before pulling away.
I missed her touch instantly.
“We couldn’t tell her the truth. It would have been too dangerous,” Phoenix explained.
Nodding, I faced Maddie. “You told her I’m back?” I questioned.
She confirmed with a nod. “Eva is already in the city. She’s dealing with a business contract for the law firm she is working at. When I called her, she said she’ll be here in thirty minutes. I explained as much as I could quickly so she doesn’t, you know, try to stab you to death.”
I took a deep breath before releasing it again. “That’s very helpful.”
She winked. “I might have given her some ideas, though.”
Fuck my life again.
These two were psychopaths.
Ayla snickered, and I caught her wink too. Annnnd…they have corrupted Angel too.
Great. Just fucking great. What an amazing family.
With multiple killers, throw in some made men, then add some crazy women who are probably psychopaths, mix it well with a walking potato…and we had one big happy family.
I wouldn’t change it for anything.
“She should be here any time now,” Maddie continued, looking toward the entrance.
My eyes followed her gaze, and speaking of the cheeky devil, there she was.
“I’m giving you a head start, Viktor. Run while you can, because I’m about to chop you to pieces, you fucking bastard!” she bellowed by the entrance before throwing her handbag on the floor.
Why? Why is it always me? my mind screamed as I stood up. I faked a shudder at her glare as she stomped forward.
I was almost scared she was going to be true to her words. Oh, the horror.
Rolling my eyes, I opened my arms for my sister. She was too cute to chop me to pieces. That job should be left for Nina, our little assassin, with a mind just as fucked up as the rest of us. And damn, she was good at her job.
Evaline ran into my arms, and both of us stumbled back before I regained my footing again. “I missed you too, little hedgehog.”
“You little shit…I am so mad right now,” she snapped seconds before busting into tears. “I am…going…to squeeze the life out of your balls and…and…murder your small dick.”
I winced at that image. Fuck, what ideas did Maddie give her?
She was a fucking savage in her attacks as she started punching my chest.
I couldn’t help but laugh as I restrained her crazy-ass movements. “Please spare my dick and balls. I need it to reproduce some Viktors in the future. Without it, we’re doomed!”
“I’m not joking!” she screamed, punching me right in the eye. Well, damn. Bullseye.
Never underestimate the power of an angry woman.
I quickly stepped back when she went for my dick. “Okay, Evaline. I think that’s enough. You don’t want me to punch your boobs.”
She gasped, her glare fiercer now. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“I would if you touch my preciousness.”
Evaline was silent for a moment before her tearwork came yet again. “You…have…no…idea what I went through,” she sobbed brokenly. “I thought…you died. I thought I lost you.”
Walking forward, I pulled her into my arms. “It’s okay. I’m fine and very much alive. I’m sorry, Eva. It was needed.”
She looked up at me, her face red from crying. I swiped her tears away while whispering, “It was important for the family.”
The seriousness in her eyes came back at my words. “And family always comes first,” she whispered back with a nod.
I smiled, my chest puffing up proudly at the fact my sister had the same beliefs. Each word had been drilled into our heads since we were little kids.
Family comes first. Always. Protect the King. Protect the Queen.
“Correct, little hedgehog.”
She nodded again as an understanding found its way into her eyes. A small smile appeared on her lips. “I am not sorry about the punch, though,” she said with a shrug.
Laughing, I gave her another hug. “I know you aren’t. Hell will freeze over before you ever apologize for this punch.”
I felt a hand on my back, and already knowing who it was, I let out a small, breathy sigh. I turned around to see Ayla standing there. But her eyes were focused on Evaline.