Page 60 of Sins and Virtue

“Whatever he is, I don’t care. What I do care about is what is Aleksandra going to do about it? What does she want from me? What the hell does she get out of it?”

He placed his index finger over his lip. “Shush, calm down.”

The last thing I’d be is calm.

All I could see, hear, smell was the scent of their blood pouring from my hands as I ripped out their hearts. Yet that would gain me nothing if I didn’t know the true reason behind this scheme.

Salvatore calmly continued as he ran a hand over his hair. “Aleksandra just wants you to cooperate and tell her what you saw that night at Dargasus. In return, you will secure a place amongst her high table, and all you had will be yours once again. Just swear undying loyalty.”

“That simple, huh?”

“Sometimes there’s no need to overcomplicate things. Just do what’s right.”

I tsked, “Don’t give me the bullshit of right and wrong. I’m not a religious fanatic to be guilt-tripped. I’ve been a Made Man all my life. We take what we want. Never ask. Even at the cost of bloodshed. What matters to Aleksandra doesn't matter to me. So answer me, what plan does she have?”

“I don’t know.”

“Bullshit.”

“You may believe whatever you want.” He holds my gaze, noticing his gray-blue orbs as he continues, “Aleksandra doesn’t tell anyone anything. Only she knows the hour and the day and what she’ll do with said information. With her lies the final say.”

All of it was so frustrating because we only ran in circles.

“Look, just think about the life you want to live, and if it’s worth it, then you know who can give that to you." He rose, dropping his cup on the table and tilting his head. “I bid you a goodnight, Konstantin. Be safe.”

Rolling my eyes, I watched him leave the club as I remained here, alone with my conflicted thoughts.

What was the point of any of this?

I don’t know. Fuck.

How would we pledge loyalty to someone we didn’t know, and for what gain?

I don’t know what that Ved’ma is looking for. However, if she was able to track down Sergei, Adrian, and now me, that meant she wanted to gather as many Made Men as possible, turn them against their own, build an alliance, and forge an army.

Why though? Who does she want to kill?

Like hell, I’m supposed to know. However, if she suspects what happened in Dargaus, we’re in trouble. Everyone is.

The dream I had a few nights ago was almost a grueling foreshadowing of the hell that was about to ensue.

Fuck, maybe I do need a drink after all of this.

Lifting my gaze to call the waitress over, my eyes caught a glimpse of a long white laced veil. Shifting my focus onto the floor was the surprise of my life. Blair held the center of the dance floor as she swayed her hips side to side, her arms in the air, her body in tuned with the sensual music. Her curves were enraptured in a black off-the-shoulder floor-length gown with tall red pumps.

She followed me? She followed me, ha.

Unconsciously, I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my thighs, never having seen her outside the convent.

She looked divine as she carried a carefree smile on her pretty, lush lips.

I didn’t know when or how, but the fact she came all the way here— for me— knowing the consequences she could face made me admire her. More than that, I was fascinated. Wanting to know more. Feel more. Know every little thing about her.

She wastheforbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, and with one taste, I’d fall down onto my knees and into her hands.

Her name tingled on the edge of my tongue as I opened my mouth to call her, but then randomly another man offered her a dance.

Blair accepted as they began with simple steps, stepping forward and back, but he turned and spun Blair as the music progressed. He caught her in his arms, and his hands trailed and caressed the fabric of her dress. She carefully removed his touch, moving on her own. The man cocked his head, observing how her thicker legs teased him.