Page 144 of The Lazarov Bratva

Andrev fixes me with a steady stare. “That’s all I know.”

My stomach rumbles once more as the good scents of food mingle with the growing warmth of brewing coffee. I’m hungry and can’t deny that it all smells amazing.

“Fine. Where’s Kristof?”

On cue, as I slide onto the breakfast stool and clasp my hands around an empty cup, Kristof sweeps into the kitchen adjusting a thin tie around his neck.

A cloud of aftershave follows him as he makes a beeline for me. One arm slides around my waist, and he pulls me up and against his torso, then plants a firm kiss against my lips.

My irritation at the change melts slightly, and I close my eyes, happily soaking up his attention for the moments I have it.

“Good morning. Everything good here?”

“Everything’s secure,” Andrev replies.

“Do you like spice in your eggs?” Valonia asks.

Kristof steps away from me and picks up the coffee pot, shaking his head. “Not for me.”

“I’m sorry,” I cut in before the normalized conversation makes me look like the insane one. “What’s going on here?”

Kristof’s eyes lock onto me, the coffee pot poised over his cup, and concern bleeds across his features. “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong is” —I point at Valonia, whose eyes widen— “who is she, and what is she doing here? Where is Alyona? I thought we agreed there’d be no strangers.”

“Valonia’s not a stranger. She’s worked for August for years,” Kristof replies quickly. He pours his coffee, then walks across to me and fills the cup in front of me.

“She’s a stranger to me.” My pulse quickens, and I press my palms flat to the countertop. “Where is Alyona?” I can’t handle another mysterious disappearance without explanation.

“Alyona left.” Kristof doesn’t meet my eyes.

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not.” Kristof returns to his cup. “You saw what the attack did to her. She’s elderly and I feared for her heart. She did too, so I got her out once I was sure the coast was clear.”

Kristof lies smoothly, he always has, and I’ve never held it against him because in this life we’re in, honesty comes at a cost. But the closer we’ve grown, the harder it is for him to lie to my face, and when he doesn’t meet my eyes, I know he’s lying.

“Stop it,” I snap, and the earlier relaxation from my shower fades in an instant. “You’re lying to me, I can tell it, and I know you think you’re protecting me, but you’re not, so just–just stop it. I’m not some fragile vase ready to break at the slightest pressure. Tell me the truth.”

My heart races, and a tremble shoots through my lips as I swallow down the boldness.

“Please.”

Kristof finally looks at me, and my heart skips a beat. The hollowness from this morning has returned, and I almost feel bad for pressing the issue.

Almost.

If we’re to survive this, we need to work together. I’ve been in the dark far too long.

“Fine.” Kristof sips his coffee and stares down into his cup for a long moment of silence.

The eggs cook, and Valonia busies herself with plating up the scrambled eggs and toast. A sprinkle of black pepper, a dash of sauce, and then she slips from the kitchen with a polite smile.

A long silence follows in her wake, long enough that I rise faintly from my stool and part my lips to press Kristof once more.

Then he speaks.

“Alyona betrayed us.”

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