Page 85 of Deceitful Vows

I specifically stated last night that no one was to enter Zakhar’s room without my explicit consent. Keeping him hidden isn’t solely about his safety. It is one of only a handful of things keeping his will to live alive.

Zakhar is nearly five. That means the woman he asks about a million times a day has mere weeks to live. I was unaware of his existence only a month ago, but that doesn’t mean I want him to experience the pain Mikhail and I were forced to endure during our childhood.

“Yes,” Anoushka whispers, her head bobbing softly. “He arrived with Dr. Fairmont.” Her suddenly wide eyes bounce between mine. “I was of the belief you knew of their attendance today.”

She swallows harshly when I reply through clenched teeth, “This is the first I’m hearing of it.”

“With Arabella’s first attempt at conception unsuccessful, a second round was scheduled for this morning,” announces a voice from the side—a voice becoming far too familiar for how agitated it makes me. “It was meant to be after your meeting yesterday, but it was pushed back when Dr. Fairmont was unable to find you to gain your permission for the insemination. Allegedly, he was informed that the schedule in our contract had been postponed.”

Dina hands Anoushka her empty gin glass before shooing her away as if she is the help.

She is a paid member of my team, but I will never see her as the help.

She is family—unlike the crustation standing across from me.

“Dr. Fairmont tried to reach you for confirmation, but after seeing how poorly dear Zakhar is, your father figured it was best to forge forward withyourinitially devisedschedule.” She emphasizes certain parts of her reply to ensure I don’t forget who commenced this ruse. “Was that wrong of him to do?” She continues talking before I can tell her that I’ve murdered people for less. “Time isn’t in your favor, Kazimir. Appeasingthemis your brother’s only lifeline.” A confidence she shouldn’t hold flares through her eyes. “They like my daughter. She is their first andonlypick. So perhaps you should consider how unpleased they will be if they were to learn that you continue to stain their legacy for a penniless hick from Mysan?—”

I pin her to the wall by her throat before all her reply leaves her mouth. There’s nothing kind about my grip. Nothing weak. I strangle her with the full intention of killing her.

My anger doesn’t center around having my authority overridden. I will get back to that after ensuring Dina is aware that her wealth doesn’t make her a better person.

“A penniless hick who has more class in her pinkie than you do in your entire body.”

I tighten my grip, loathing the pinkness rimming her lips.

It needs to be several shades darker.

“A penniless hick who could have any man she wants. A penniless hick who can wipe your daughter from my mind with one sideways glance. Is that the penniless hick you are referring to, Dina?” I pull her forward before slamming her back. “If she is who you are referencing, you should bow at her feet and pray for her forgiveness becauseifit weren’t for her, I wouldn’t know I have a heart in my chest, and you would already be dead.”

I had nothing to live for and nothing to lose, so the only thing I feared in the wake of my demise was not taking enough people down with me.

My opinion changed a month ago.

It was approximately twelve hoursbeforeI learned of Zakhar’s existence. How much more proof does Dina need that she placed her chips on the wrong number?

My grip loosens a smidge when a voice full of nobility breaks through the madness engulfing me. “As much as you hate what she is saying, anger cannot excuse the truth.” My father steps closer, switching the scent of death leeching from Dina to hope. “Zakhar will not live without the federation’s help.” He places his hand on my shoulder, squeezing ever so gently. “And neither will you.”

I want to deny his insinuation before proving it isn’t factual. I want to yell at him to man the fuck up and return the notoriety our family name deserves. But the palest blue eyes I’ve ever seen stop me.

He shouldn’t be out of bed, much less witnessing his brother murder his father.

32

ZOYA

With our search for cheap seats taking longer than expected—even with it still seeing us stuck on a red-eye—I exit Nikita’s apartment with her the following morning.

We hug at the front of her building before she heads to Myasnikov Private Hospital for what should have been her first solo shift while I direct my steps to the employment agency whose agents are still angry at me for botching an almost guaranteed placement.

They’ve never had an applicant turned down by KADOK Industries, and they didn’t see the humor when I said I was glad I was their first.

Partway down Jessop Street, my phone buzzes.

“Shit,” I mutter to myself when the removal of my phone announces it is switched on and with full service. The dirtbox is flat, which is odd considering I just charged it. Its battery must be fried from overuse. I have been utilizing it twenty-four-seven over the past week.

If only I could silence my moans just as readily.

After taking a mental note to carry a portable battery pack with me everywhere I go, I open my messenger app to see who the text is from.

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