Page 42 of Twisted Fate

“I’m working on the coroner,” I say. “Autopsy lists cause of death as rupture of myocardium due to acute myocardial infarction.”

When my brothers stare at me blankly, I say, “Heart attack.”

They nod.

“But I want to see the tox report. Something caused that heart attack and my gut is telling me poison,” I say.

“Poison is a snake’s weapon,” Leo says. “And Mikhail is a snake.”

“Can’t argue that,” Cass says.

Leo’s expression turns thoughtful as he studies me. “Something isn’t sitting right with you, Damian. Is it Emanuel? You made a good choice there. I would have done the same.”

“I know.”

He nods. “So if not that, then what?”

I tell him about Alina and the phone.

“Fuck,” Cassio says on a slow exhale.

“You get rid of it?” Leo asks.

“Of course. Destroyed it immediately and got a replacement.” Just in case she’d somehow managed to install spyware.

“She’s a spy,” Leo says.

I don’t want her to be, but what I want might have no bearing on reality. Was she telling me the truth? Was she just trying to get in touch with Markus?

“She’s working for the Ivanovs,” Leo says.

I would be a fool not to consider it. The possibility grinds at me. Devastates me. If she’s a fucking spy, a threat to my family…

“I’ll have someone collect her and question her,” Leo says.

“You will not.” I barely manage to keep the words civil. “No one touches her. No one hurts her.” The thought of anyone but me touching that pale skin ignites a rage I’ve never felt before.

Leo’s brows lift.

“You fuck her?” Cassio asks.

“None of your fucking business.”

Leo laughs, his smile reaching his eyes, the tension and weight of his position melting away for a minute. “You fucked her.” He pauses. “That doesn’t change my opinion. She’s a spy.”

“And your opinion doesn’t change mine. I don’t think she is. Markus has proven his loyalty time and again.”

“Markus has,” Leo says, “His sister hasn’t.”

“Besides, Markus is an addict,” Cass points out. “An addict’s loyalty isn’t reliable.”

I have no argument for that. “Alina isn’t an addict.”

“But she’s a spy,” Leo says.

We sit in silence for a few moments, drinking our beers.

Then Leo says, “Bring her on the boat. I’d like to have a conversation with her.”

---