Page 84 of Little Liar

“Did you try out some of the sign language I showed you?”

“Yes!” She’s beaming, a huge smile across her face. “And oh my God, Dad, he said Olivia’s name.”

Dad looks at me, a small, invisible smile playing on his lips, but it’s hidden with a hint of wariness. He doesn’t trust our relationship, and I can’t blame him. Abigail crosses her arms and says nothing.

She’s also wary about my new relationship.

Molly seems to be the only one who’s happy that I’m happy.

Mom taps her fingers on the meeting-room table impatiently while we wait for the Reznikovs to arrive.

“Malachi found out about Mason,” I tell Dad.

His shoulders drop. “I know. He was at the cemetery along from the manor yesterday. He found out by searching his name, and the news article about the crash came up.”

“How do you know?”

He taps his nose and winks.

He must still have PIs on Malachi.

Ten minutes pass, and all I can do is stare at the door while everyone works.

Dad is typing on his laptop—he hasn’t broken a breath to Mom. He doesn’t even want this meeting to happen. He’s been working with lawyers to figure out a way to have the agreement voided, but so far, it’s impossible. And for some stupid reason, the termination clause only comes into play if both parties agree to not go ahead with the marriage.

Since Xander is adamant about proceeding, I’m so far screwed.

Regardless, I won’t do it.

Abigail shifts beside me, checking her phone every two seconds, her knee bouncing in anticipation. She’s not supposed to be here—she doesn’t work in this building, and Mom said she has no place in the meeting, but apparently the Reznikov brothers were happy for her to be here despite their parents’ refusal.

Adryx is the one who calls the shots on this stuff—he said she could be here, and no one could overpower him. He’s the brains and the muscle behind the Reznikovs’ fortune and empire, but not the heir as some may assume. Something happened within the family and future ownership was passed to Xander.

The door opens, and my nerves plummet into a pit of lava.

First to walk in is Adryx and Xander’s father, Igor Reznikov, with his wife Angelina. They’re way older, both with gray hair, yet they’ve aged like fine wine. They look rich—Angelina givesme a warm smile as she sits in front of me, her husband beside her.

Adryx is next—he’s tall with dark hair, and his fitted suit shows he works out. He greets us and sits beside my father, directly across from Abigail. He’s watching her, no one else, and she keeps her eyes down as if she has no desire to be here anymore.

Xander clears his throat at the door—he’s just a wanker with an ego problem who doesn’t deserve a description.

My eyes narrow when the final person enters. He’s just as tall as Adryx, with brown hair, and he isn’t wearing a fitted suit like the others but a white shirt and dress pants, sleeves rolled up to flash an expensive watch.

However, they all look similar, definitely from the same family.

“Howdy,” the last one says as he closes the door and sits.

Is he… Scottish? And a bit Russian? Is that even possible?

“This is my nephew Sebastian,” Igor says. “He’ll be acting as a bonder during this period until he returns home to Russia to deal with my father. He’ll be the contact between families after this meeting is over.”

Sebastian grins at everyone, folding his arms and leaning his elbows forward on the table. His knees are bouncing—I can tell from the way his body is moving. He’s nearly as hyper as Molly. I think he might be the same age as me.

“Just pretend I’m not here,” he says, popping gum in his mouth. “I know that’ll be hard, considering I’m the good-looking one of the family.”

Adryx rolls his eyes. “Shut the fuck up, Base.”

“Nope.”