Page 41 of Psychological War

“Salem,” I answered, not daring to look at anyone else. If he wanted to be the only one to talk to me, so be it.

“That’s it?” He scratched his nose. “No middle or last name? My name is Tobias Theodore Anderson Volkov. I have Mama and Dad’s last name.” Tobias shrugged, grabbing his milk from the table. After taking a large drink he looked back at me. “I got Theodore from Uncle Zaney, that’s his middle name. He delivered me when I came out of Mom's tummy.”

“Theodore is a beautiful middle name.” I grinned. It took everything in me to not laugh and turn to Zane when Tobias called him Zaney. I had to tuck that away for later.Later.As if I was going to be staying longer than I needed. Which I couldn’t. Once dinner was done, I had to leave. I had to finish what I started.

“I think so, too. Do you have a middle name?” he asked again.

“I do, hmm tell me a good reason why I should tell you?” I whispered to him. Either way I would tell Tobias but talking here with him made me forget about my other problem and I wanted to enjoy it.

“Dada doesn’t trust you, and Uncle Kill couldn’t find anything about you on his ’puter.” No matter how much I could be prepared for anything, the next thing that he said prepared me for nothing. “And Uncle Zaney is obsessed with you. I think he has a crush on you as well.” Three things happened at that point. Kill—as Tobias called him—just smirked. It was no secret he felt something for her. Angry man literally looked like he was about to throw the butter knife. I noticed he was now holding tightly to me. And glancing over at Zane he wore a smug look. Like he won some fucking prize.

That smug look made me want to punch his face until I felt better about the mutual feelings.

“I think that’s a very good answer.” I nagged his arm slightly. “Salem Wren Gray.”

“What’s your real name?” A low growl came from the head of the table.

Looking up at him, I took in the hold he had on the knife, along with the snarl. He was large like Zane, but not as muscular. His hair was a little light brown, and shorter. He wore a white dress shirt, and I could assume he was wearing dress pants and shoes as well.

“Salem Wren Gray,” I said not to break eye contact with him. I refused to show weakness and break down.

“Interesting because Killian can’t find a single fucking thing about you,Salem.” He said my name like a disease. Like I was a bug sitting here, and he wanted to squish me. Funny for him, I refused to die. They tried, but it didn't work.

I survived.

“Haven’t you heard of a dead girl walking?” I shrugged. I knew I was getting under his skin from the small tick of his jaw. He was grinding his teeth together. He wouldn’t completely lose it with his son sitting here, but he also wouldn’t let me get away with provoking him. “What’s your name?” I asked back finally.

“Why are you here?” He tried a different approach, not bothering with telling me his.

“I’m trying to enjoy a nice meal that your wife made,what are you doing here?” I shot back.

“Salem, don't provoke him,” Zane warned. Glaring over at him, I hated that he was choosing his side over mine. I had no real reason, but it still bothered me. I wanted him to pick me.

“This is my house. I suggest you don’t piss me off much more.”

“Or what?” I blurted out.

You know when you're quiet for so long and then all of a sudden everything comes out. When you’re ready to scream at anyone in your path. Yeah, that’s where I was right now. He was pissing me off. I was angry about everything, and he was in my path. He thought he could talk to me like a child, like I’m his wife, and that I would bend over for him. He was wrong.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he growled.

“Dimitri, stop,” Mila whispered, her hand reaching for his. Immediately his eyes softened as he looked down at his wife. “Let’s just finish dinner, please.”

He nodded his head. Still holding her hand, he used his other one and began eating, not daring to look away from me. No one spoke again, and I was fine with that. I kept my gaze down and waited until it was time for me to go.

Eventually, Mila took Tobias upstairs to get him ready for bed, and I was ready to make my break for it until the blaring sound of someone's phone went off. Dimitri cursed until he dragged his phone out and looked between the three of us.

“It’s Luca.” He scowled at me like I was the reason Luca was calling.

“Luca,” Dimitri answered. I couldn’t hear what he was saying on the other line, but I felt my skin burn. Everything was becoming too much. It was like Luca was right in front of me with a thin piece of glass.

“Yes, he’s here,” Dimitri answered what Luca asked. Switching it to speaker, I gripped the table, my knuckles turning white.

“Zane.” Luca’s voice sounded the same. He sounded the same as he did twelve years ago.

19

Zane

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