Page 113

Story: All The Darkest Truths

“I swear,” I relent, defeat washing through me like the water that nearly claimed Z and Oz. “I swear on my son's life. Just don't hurt them.”

Mikhail studies me for a long moment, searching for any sign of deception. Finding none, he nods once. "Release her."

The guard's arm drops away, and I stagger forward, catching myself on the edge of the desk.

“Call them off,” Mikhail orders, gesturing to the monitor where the twins have paused, sensing something wrong though they can't see the wall of water held in check just around the bend. “Now that you understand. Let’s discuss the details.”

"Your terms," I say, straightening my spine. "All of them. Now."

“You have seventy-two hours to kill Victor Petrov, his son, and your dearly beloved cousin, Bianca. Upon their deaths, you relinquish your claim to the Rossi family legacy and sign over your son to me. In exchange, your brother and Mr. Rafner will go free.”

“Is that all?”

“Of course not, granddaughter. You will marry a man of my choosing. Someone with the connections and resources we need. Someone loyal to me to preserve our bloodline. You and your future husband will build me an army of heirs.”

Alex makes a strangled sound of protest, earning him another brutal blow from the guard. Blood trickles from the corner of his mouth as he glares at Mikhail with naked hatred.

I can't look at Alex. If I do, I'll break, and that will kill us all. Instead, I focus on the monster wearing my grandfather's face, the architect of my family's destruction.

“And if I refuse?” I ask, though we both know it's an empty question.

“Then I flood those tunnels with your friends still inside them,” Mikhail answers smoothly. "I execute Luca while you watch. And Mr. Rafner...” He glances at Alex with clinical detachment. “Well, I believe you've seen his handiwork. Imagine those skills applied to him, day after day, until there's nothing left but meat and bone.”

My stomach lurches at the image his words conjure. I force myself to breathe, to think past the blind panic threatening to consume me.

“How do I know you'll keep your word? That you'll let any of us live once I've done what you want?”

Mikhail's smile is thin, reptilian. “You don't. But what choice do you have?”

None. That's the terrible truth of it. I have no choice, no leverage, nothing but the desperate hope that I can find a way out of this trap once I'm inside it.

“What you’re asking is impossible.”

“Then make it possible. Once you infiltrate the Petrovs, I will provide you with the army you need. Everything up until that point is on you, granddaughter. If you’re anything like your bastard father, you’ll figure it out.”

I swallow hard, mind racing.

“I want proof of life for Luca every day. Alex, too.”

“Reasonable requests,” Mikhail concedes with a slight nod. “I'm not an unreasonable man, Vesper. Just a determined one.”

“And my friends in the tunnel and outside, you let them go. Unharmed.”

His lips curve into that terrible smile. “I'll allow them to retreat. Whether they choose to do so is their decision, not mine.”

On the monitor, Z and Oz have stopped moving, clearly sensing the trap. They stand back-to-back, weapons ready. Talon has reached the greenhouse, crouched as he studies the entrance.

"Call them," Mikhail orders, nodding to a guard who produces a phone. "Tell them to leave. Be convincing."

The guard passes me a phone, and I take it with trembling fingers. One call to save their lives, to surrender any hope of rescue. The alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

I dial Z’s number from memory using the guard’s phone, pulse pounding as it rings. Once. Twice. It goes to voicemail. Shit.

I call again. Same result.

He doesn’t recognize the number. Of course he doesn’t.

My fingers fly over the keypad as I shoot off a quick text:

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