It’s not that she hates him. It’s that she probably feels abandoned by him. Someone as reclusive and odd as she is has lost her sense of reality. She’s too sheltered, too spoiled, and too rich for her own good. As a result, she keeps her distance from the world, but when she gets attached to someone, it’s for life.
I’m guessing Kirill was that someone, but when he left, she didn’t take it well.
“What do I care what that piece of shit does?” She lifts her chin. “Why don’t you do the world a favor and drive him off a cliff so both of you can die?”
“Careful what you wish for, Miss. If Kirill doesn’t succeed in his endeavors, he’ll go back to Russia.”
“Hmph. As if Kirill would change his mind so soon. You know nothing about him, asshole.”
“I certainly know more than you do. He already left you once, do you honestly think he won’t do it again? Will you be able to survive this time?”
Her smug expression falls and she stares at me in horror. “You…you…”
“Remember my words.” I salute her with two fingers and walk out of the room under an onslaught of her curses.
Yes, I could’ve gone about this a different way, but I didn’t have time. Or maybe I’m just being molded into someone of Kirill’s caliber.
At any rate, Karina is the only ally he can have here, despite her antics.
At least I hope she chooses to be on his side in this internal war.
Now, I need to figure out how to help Kirill get to the top. The more I’m of use, the more he’ll trust me.
The more he trusts me, the closer I’ll get to revealing his father’s involvement in my family’s death.
18
KIRILL
Ihave a plan.
It’ll take time, effort, and, most importantly, patience, but sooner or later, it’ll work.
Everyone in the organization thinks I wasted time in Russia, but it was the military that shaped my strategic mind into its current state.
While my father’s brutal torture filled my mind with red, it’s the military’s discipline that allowed me to redirect that energy into clear focus.
My plan is dangerous and has a twenty percent margin of error, which is undeniably a lot, but I choose to focus on the eighty percent success rate.
I stroll out of my room to find Viktor at the door. His expression is solemn, but his attitude hasn’t changed since we returned—something I appreciate. “The Pakhan has set a meeting for later today at which you and Konstantin have to be present.”
Didn’t take him long. Only a week after the old man’s funeral. I adjust my glasses with my middle and ring fingers. “Is everything in place?”
“Everything’s as you ordered.”
“Good.”
“The madam and your brother are waiting downstairs.”
“Are they now?”
“Mrs. Morozova said, and I quote,I will not take this insult. Tell him to come down at once.”
My lips twitch and I choose to remain where I am for as long as possible. Just to fuck with Yulia’s and Konstantin’s heads.
I cast a look at Viktor’s surroundings. “Where’s the…persistent shadow?”
“Other than me?”