Mikhail’s jaw clenches, and I can tell he’s wrestling with the desire to blow Elias’ brains out right now. The thought sends terror piercing through my heart like a spear.
I notice the way his hand shakes, as if he’s literally trying to wrestle with his own inner demons.
The door opens and Sienna comes in. “There you are, I—” She freezes when she sees Mikhail has his gun trained at Elias. “Oh dear, what is going on?”
I don’t take my eyes off my brother because I know what a loose cannon he can be when the rage takes over. “Look at me, Mikhail.”
He does look at me, those dark eyes almost black in the dim lights of the kitchen. I didn’t turn the main lights on when we entered.
“Let me explain,” I say, inching in front of Elias slowly. “I won’t let you kill him.”
Mikhail’s brow furrows and then he notices that he’s pointing the gun at me now instead of Elias. Instantly, he lowers the weapon, cursing under his breath in Russian.
I feel Elias’ hand on my back and his breath falling against the nape of my neck. He’s so close.
Siena clears her throat. “Can someone tell me what the fuck is going on here?”
“Why don’t we all sit down and I’ll explain.”
Mikhail grunts. “I don’t think you are the one that needs to explain anything.” He point at the man behind me. “He is the one that needs to explain.”
“Hand me the gun,” I demand.
His eyes narrow to slits, and I know he’s not going to give it up.
Siena moves closer to him, setting a hand on his arm. “Mikhail, it’s our wedding night and I don’t want blood spilled.”
His dark eyes find hers and some of the tension leaves him. He grumbles something incoherent and then places the handle of the gun in Siena’s hand. She passes it to me and I carry it out of reach, knowing that none of us really wants bloodshed tonight, no matter what Mikhail says.
“Don’t think this means I’m not going to kill that piece of shit.”
To Elias’ credit, he doesn’t utter a word, which is smart. Instead, he just sits on the other side of the island, watching warily.
“The fact is, Elias found out the truth about our origins,” I say.
Mikhail clears his throat. “I gathered that much, Natalya.”
Siena’s brow furrows. “What truth?”
Mikhail sits next to her, squeezing her hand. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
Her jaw clenches, but she nods.
“And we haven’t exactly had the easiest relationship since I arrived at the academy, but there was a reason for that, however misguided.” I glare at Elias. “He blamed our family for the death of his mother and being moved to North America suddenly.”
Mikhail runs a hand across the back of his neck. “We had no part in any deaths, but yes, our deal did facilitate the Estrada Cartel’s move into North America.”
I nod in response. “I know, but Elias blamed me. And while he was cruel and disgusting to me over the years, even at times this academic year, something changed between us.” I bite the inside of my cheek. “Elias claims he loves me, although I find it hard to believe.”
Mikhail grunts. “As do I.”
I give my brother a look that tells him to shut up. “The crazy thing is, I think I feel the same.” I glance at Elias, whose ice-blue eyes find mine, widening slightly.
“You do?” he asks, almost sounding as if he doesn’t believe me.
Mikhail shakes his head. “Elias is Mexican. The men won’t follow him.”
I tilt my head and shrug. “You just got married, brother. Who is to say you won’t have an heir to the empire?”