Page 24 of The Games of Madmen

“Can’t ruin you,” he says with a smile. “If those bastards over there couldn’t do it, neither can I. You’re a little monster like me.”

“You’re right,” I say with a sigh. “Monsters are destined to be alone.”

“You’re not alone. Remember that.”

It’s just like him to make me want to tear up. He’s right, though. I’m not alone. I’ll never be alone because ofher.

After pouring us a drink, Viktor sits behind his desk and watches me with curious eyes. “Don’t make me keep asking, Alyona. I’m not a patient man. Stop toying with me and spill it.”

I exhale an exhausted breath, resigned to the fact I need to tell him the truth. “I heard the Vetrov twins are coming over here. Is it true? I know you know. Tell me.”

The Madmen of Moscow.

They can’t be here.

My heart won’t survive.

“They are.” Nodding, he gestures around the room with a wave of his finger. “This place is going to be changing, and soon. I want to create something unlike anything else, and only the high class of society should be allowed to enjoy its rewards. The twins have built a legacy of their own in Moscow with Klub Chernyy and it’s not one passed down to them or dictated by old men. They plan to expand on that here, with the launch of the first Klub Chernyy in the US. I helped them acquire Club Vibe to do that. I knew Darrell needed money, so I got a deal before it could even hit the buyer market, and in return, they will help me establish The Vault as its own legacy. I know it’s hard being away from everything we know, but it’s also a blessing. You can do and be anything you want here. Don’t forget why you left.”

I don’t speak because I can’t. The stone lodged in my throat prevents me from being able to.

I haven’t told him all the details of why I took off to the US, or who I abandoned in the process, only that his father would want my head for defying the rules. It’s too raw, even after all this time. Rodion and Zahkar barged into my heart like they’d livedthere before and were just returning home. And no matter how hard I try I can’t get them to leave, they’re a part of me. I think they always were. Soulmates returning to each other. I broke us by leaving.

I wonder what they’ve been doing andwhothey’ve been doing it with.

“Alyona!” Viktor shouts and then chuckles. “I lost you.”

“Sorry.” I shake my head, grabbing the glass he poured me, and downing the contents. A cough rattles from me because of the after burn. “Fuck, you trying to poison me?”

“Ha,” he deadpans before slapping a hand on his desk. “Not my style. I like my prey with fight left in them.”

He’s so creepy sometimes.

“So the twins are planning on setting up shop here?” I clarify, trying to keep my emotions out of my tone, but my voice betrays me.

His eyebrow cocks up in a curious way. “Is there a reason you’re so invested in the Vetrovs? Are they why you were so heartbroken when you arrived?”

“I wasn’t heartbroken,” I choke out.

“There are those lies again.” He chuckles. “You can’t lie to me. I’m immune to them.”

“Do they know I’m here?” I jolt, not even realizing that they could have known this whole time where I was, and just not cared. Whywouldthey?

“If they do, I’m not aware of it. I haven’t and would never tell them you’re here.”

A relieved whoosh of air fills my lungs.

“So there was something going on with them?” he pries. “Tell me everything.”

That’s never going to happen.

“They trained me for The Games and got me out in the end.” My heart thunders admitting that information out loud. Viktorwould never speak to Yuri since it was his father who banished him, let alone inform him of those facts, but it scares me all the same putting the words out there.

“You must have really made an impression on them for them to risk everything to get you out. Death is the reward for that sin.”

A shiver snakes up my spine and curls around my chest, squeezing.

“Hence why I ran.”