Page 99 of In A Faraway Land

It really was perfect,everything he could have asked for and more, which meant he couldn’t trust any of it at all. His father was lying to him, probably about everything.

“I understand,” Raphael said, “and I agree. But how long do you expect Flicka and Alina to live in a small suite in someone else’s house?”

Raphael wanted them anywhere else, safe, and preferably under Wulfram’s roof.

“As long as I think it’s necessary,”Valerian said, sitting back in his chair. His gaze sharpened. “You can begin with your apology for betraying the family and me, personally, and then we’ll arrange for you to apologize to Piotr Ilyin.”

Raphael had thought he would have more time to prepare a proper speech of contrition, but he had become good at lying in the last few years. He had lied about his name every day, and he had doneit in a voice that sounded alien to his own ears. Everything about him was a lie, and he was nothing but a hollow shell.

“Father,” Raphael said, “You were always right. I apologize for doubting you and for my actions. In the future, I will do what is asked of me by the bank and by my family. You have my loyalty.”

Right up until Raphael staged a coup to take control of Geneva Trust and brokethat chain forever.