Page 73 of The Pakhan's Forced Bride

Benedikt is behind this attack. And that means he might have been behind the previous one, too. Mimicking the enemy to take a stab at Ardalion in his anger.

Would my brother really do that?

I swallow hard. I already know the answer.

But now I want the truth, and there is only one person who can give that to me.

My hands are shaking when I dial my brother’s number.

He hasn’t been answering my calls, but I have a feeling that he might answer now.

His voice is a low growl when he says my name. “Belle.”

Keep your voice calm, even.

“Benedikt, can we meet up?”

“Who says I’m still in LA?” he snaps.

“We both know you are. Please, can we meet up?” I ask again, my heart racing.

“Fine,” he says coldly.

“There’s a coffee shop in the center of town called the Black Marlin. I’ll be there in half an hour.”

“Fine,” he says again, then hangs up.

I’ve never been scared to face my brother before. I’ve never been scared of him and am unsure about what he’s capable of.

Today, I am.

In a hurry, I grab my things and rush from the mansion, wanting to get to the coffee shop and not keep Benedikt waiting. His patience is already worn down, his mood already so dark that he’s resorted to very dangerous tactics in his anger.

I arrive a few minutes before him, parking outside the coffee shop and hurrying in to find a table for us.

When I see him walking through the door with Ulyana at his side, my entire body releases a breath of relief. Her presence here is soothing and sets my mind at ease. This is not going to be an easy conversation. I’m glad she came with him.

Benedikt sits opposite me without saying a word.

Ulyana leans over to hug me. Her familiar smell washes over me, and I fight tears for a moment. “I missed you,” I smile.

“You too,” she smiles back, before sitting and waiting.

My mind is racing so much I can’t wait this out. I have to get straight to the point. I look at my brother and take a shaky breath.

“Ben, I saw the video from the security cameras at the warehouse. I know it was you.”

He snorts, lifting his top lip to sneer at me. “Is that so?” he says coldly.

“Please, we need to talk about this. Why would you do that? Why would you attack Ardalion like that and kill those men?” My voice quivers as I try my best to hold myself together.

“Me? You want to blame this on me?” he asks, his voice a low, threatening growl.

“Yes, you’re the one who turned violent.”

“How dare you fucking blame me, Belle. This started because Ardalion is an arrogant fucking asshole who thinks he can do whatever the fuck he wants to whoever the fuck he pleases. He thinks he can get away with it, and I’m here to make sure he knows he fucking can’t.”

Benedikt’s voice is raised, and a number of other customers in the coffee shop are turned towards us, their eyes wide in shock.