Page 207 of Dance of Defiance

Me

I love you

Val

Love you too

I grin wider, rolling my eyes at myself as I close the phone and slip it into my pocket.

“Yeah, he can have that effect on people.”

I whirl, startling as Vaughn Bancroft slips quietly from the shadows.

Jesus, it’s spooky how similar he and Val look. I mean, not twin level, but it’srealfucking close. The exact same facial bone structure. Same eyes. Same build. They even have similar tattoos on their necks. The only differences seem to be that Vaughn’s forearms and hands are totally bare of ink, and I can’t picture Val in a Bond-villain style three-piece suit, which is Vaughn’s go-to.

Val hasn’t told me a lot about his brother and their relationship. But he’s told me enough that I know Vaughn is a goddamn psychopath, and Ireallydon’t like the way he clearly uses Val’s need for love and family to his advantage.

“At least, Iassumethe smile and vague flush in your face are due to my brother,” he says with a smug smirk.

My hands close to fists as I take a step toward him. But Vaughn just shakes his head and holds his hands up, palms facing toward me.

“I know you think otherwise, Roman, but I really didn’t have anything to do with the firebombing of your father’s safe house.”

My eyes narrow. “You’ll forgive my skepticism.”

He shrugs casually. “Would it ease your mind if I showed you concrete proof that neither I nor the Obsidian Syndicate was involved?”

“I think I’m wondering why, if you had proof that you had nothing to do with almost killing my father, you wouldn’t have shown it to me before.”

Vaughn smiles flatly. “Perhaps, Roman, it’s because I’m simplyunbotheredabout your thoughts either way.”

My jaw grinds. “Well? Let’s see it.”

He chuckles quietly. “That’s not actually why I’m here.”

“I can’t imagine what else we’d have to talk about,” I growl.

His brows arch. “No? Not even the fact that you’re sleeping with my brother?”

I know he knows about Val and me. He wasatthe party the other day, but it still feels like he’s throwing it out there like it’s leverage.

“Not, of course, that my brother discusses that with me.” He smiles cooly at me. “Oh don’t take that personally, by the way. I’m sure he’s very proud to be with?—”

“Enough with the fucking head games, Vaughn,” I grunt. “Yeah, I’m with Val. Which you already know.”

“Congratulations.”

I smirk coldly. “That why you stalked me tonight? To dramatically emerge from the shadows and congratulate me for dating your brother?”

His head cocks to the side. “Why not? You wouldn’t stalk a man through the shadows to confront him if you were presented with evidence that he was sleeping with your sister, Evelina?”

My eyes darken. “If you’re smart, you won’t involve my sister’s name in any of this,” I growl.

Vaughn exhales. “Like it or not, Roman, your involvement with Val complicates a certain…rivalrybetween my organization and your own.”

“You mean trying to cozy up to Cosimo Sangrini.”

He smiles. “That’s no crime. I believe your family is doing the exact same thing. Orwas, before you and my brother managed to scare off your fiancée.” He smirks at the dark look on my face. “Relax, Roman. I’m fully aware of your arrangement with Ms. Lukashova. She’s quite happy with Maks, by the way, if you were curious. I’m sure she sends her regards.”