Page 208 of Dance of Defiance

I level a look at him. “Why are youhere, Vaughn. I don’t for second think it’s to give me the ‘stern big brother’ talk regarding Val.”

Vaughn appraises me coolly, not saying anything immediately.

“You’re going to make a very goodpakhan, Roman,” he finally says. He lifts a shoulder and cocks a brow. “Well,could. I’m not sure how progressive the Bratva is these days when it comes to an openly gay leader. You’d know better than me.”

This fucking guy and his head games.

“I’m leaving,” I mutter. “I’ll tell Val you said hi.”

I turn and start to walk away.

“That thing we both want, Roman?”

I pause mid-step, exhaling as I turn to look back at him.

“Sangrini’s ear and favor?” He shrugs. “It’s not going to happen, for either of us. For anyone. We’re chasing an impossibility. Cosimo Sangrini isutterlybeyond corruption. The entire Sangrini family is, has been for centuries. It’s why they’ve remained the shadowy power they are.”

I smile crisply. “I’m sure the impossibility of him forming an allegiance with you is why you’re still throwing him lavish parties at your mansion in the mountains.”

Vaughn’s lips curl up at the corners. “That makes you angry?”

“It makes me doubt any of the bullshit that just came out of your mouth.”

Vaughn exhales slowly. “I’m going to tell you this because I believe sooner than later it will be you sitting on the Nikitin throne. And when you are, I think you and I could have a very mutually beneficial relationship.”

I snort. “You want to be allies?—”

“No, I want us to have amutually beneficial relationship. There’s a difference,” he says flatly.

I hold his gaze. “No promises. But…fine. What is it you wanted to tell me.”

“Simply that I’ve never had any hopes of currying favor with Cosimo Sangrini. But so long as your familythoughtI did…” He shrugs eloquently.

I stare at him. “You did all of that to—what, fuck with my family?”

“To shake the tree, Roman,” he growls. “And see whichpakhanfell out.”

I laugh coldly. “And Val? You were totally fine with your own brother being an pawn in your little war games?”

“Whatever you think of me, Roman,” Vaughn growls, “Ilovemy brother. I would do anything for him.”

A raging animal snarls inside me.

“Anything meaning leave him for dead while you escaped with the criminals who’d turned you into child drug traffickers? Anything like run off to your lavish life climbing the ranks of your little 'brotherhood' while youractual fucking brotherwas thrown to the goddamn wolves in the foster system!?”

I’m seeing red. My fucking veins throb as I look at Vaughn with malice and fury in my eyes.

“Fuck you,” I snarl. “You left him! Do you have any fucking idea of the shit he had to go through, the monsters he had to fight, and?—”

“I am aware, Roman,” Vaughn snaps, “ofeverypain and injustice that was thrown at my brother!” He barks a cold, brittle laugh. “You think I just forgot about him? No, Roman,” he hisses. “I was aware ofeverything, and it fucking ripped me apart. But I also know the Syndicate would have destroyed him.” He shakes his head. “He wouldn’t be anything like the man you’re so enamored with. Wouldn’t have found who he is or discovered ballet. None of it. The Val you love is who he is because he grew up in the lesser of two godawful evils! I made a choice,” he snarls. “I’d make the same choice again today if I had to.”

Yeah, we're done here.

“Well, this has been fun, Vaughn,” I grunt. “But I’m going home.”

I’m only a few steps away when my phone buzzes. I pull it out, looking curiously at the "unknown number" on the screen.

“Roman?” a young woman says when I answer. “It’s Freya.”