Page 55 of Dark Truths

“She stole nothing from you, Sophia. The moment you two were divorced, he was free to do as he pleased with whomever he wanted.” It’s like trying to explain a simple thing to a child. A child who won’t listen and would sooner argue that the sky is green just because she wants it to be.

“But why her? He could have anyone else.”

Alexei hops down from the table and hooks an arm across Sophia’s shoulders, pulling her in tight to plant a kiss to the crown of her head. He tosses me a wink and I know he’s about to do something incredibly stupid. Before I can intervene, he turns to the side to get a better view of Michael.

“Don’t worry, Sophia. If you ask me, Mikey boy over there is the idiot. He had a diamond but settled for a rhinestone.”

I’m not sure if Dominic lets his cousin go or if Michael tears free, but either way, the Italian heir crosses the space and lands a blow to the side of Alexei’s face. My friend’s head snaps to the side as Sophia screams and jumps out of the way. Alexei places a hand over his jaw, laughing like a maniac as he recovers and straightens his spine.

Michael stabs the air with his finger as he points at Alexei. “You will never speak of Rose like that again, you motherfucker. Do you understand me?”

Alexei snorts. “Does the truth sting, DiAngelo?”

Michael goes to punch him again and though Alexei tries to evade his fist, the alcohol and drugs in his system slow his reaction time. Michael’s fist makes contact, snapping my idiot friend’s face to the other side. Leveling Michael with a crazed eye, I watch Alexei’s hand disappear into his pants pocket. The glint of a knife blade catches on the low light. If he stabs Michael, it’s as good as declaring fucking war, and that is the last thing any of us need right now. Tensions are already so high, it’ll only take one match to strike a wildfire.

I step forward, latching my hand on my friend’s wrist, and twist his arm behind his back. “Put it away,” I growl into his ear, my threat clear as day in my voice.

Alexei fights back for a second before he complies, and I feel him slide the knife into his back pocket.

Meeting Michael’s eyes, I step around my friend, effectively cutting him off from the Italian.

“Move, Volkov,” Michael orders.

“No. The man is drunk and doesn’t mean what he says.”

“The fuck I don’t,” Alexei quips behind me and I swear my fist is the next to hit his face. “Sophia deserves better.”

“Then you have her,” Michael says, a taunting gleam overtaking his eyes before he adds, “After all, you seem to enjoy having the scraps. Don’t you?”

Alexei curses in Russian before he tries to rush around me. I turn and shove him toward Sophia before feeling a presence coming at my back. Glancing over my shoulder, Michael has stepped forward, his eyes latched on Alexei with intent in his expression.

This is quickly becoming a shit show and growing out of hand. Neither idiot knows how to quit, and if they’re not stopped, they won’t until one of them is dead.

Decision made, I turn and swing at Michael, taking him by surprise and landing a solid punch to his jaw. The Italian stumbles but only for a second before composing himself.

I hold my hands up, like a sign of surrender, but Michael sees red. He steps forward and I see the punch coming. I could stop it, but hell…I deserve it and honestly, welcome it too.

Pain explodes along my cheekbone and eye. That’s going to be a fucking blend of blue and purple in the morning. Great. He could have at least gone for the jaw like I did. Bastard.

My ears are still ringing from the blow, I barely hear Dominic shout before there are sudden arms on me. Guards yell at us tocalm down and knock it off. Dominic and two other guards have Michael restrained, while Alexei lies unconscious on the ground. I can’t tell if it’s from the alcohol or the beating, but either way, the idiot is finally silent.

“I’m good,” I tell the guards holding me. “Let me go.”

They glance at Dominic for permission and I meet his eyes, telling him I’m serious. He reads my unspoken words and nods to the guards. They release me, stepping back, as I straighten my jacket and clear my throat.

“Take him home,” Dominic orders a pair of guards. “And make sure he stays there.” Turning to his cousin, he says, “You’re still healing, you dumb fool. Or did you forget? Let's go.”

Michael grumbles under his breath, tossing me one last icy glare before he stalks away.

Dominic approaches me and pulls out a small white handkerchief. He gestures to my face before handing it to me. “You’ve got a little blood there.”

I take the piece of cloth and dab at my cheek. “Thank you.”

“You got him?” he asks, pointing to my unconscious friend and Sophia, who sits in a crumpled heap beside him. “And her?”

“Yes.”

I turn just as Dominic adds, “And thank you as well, Dimitri.”

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