Page 91 of Under Control

And when Aram murdered him, I wasn’t upset.

Not for my father’s death. Without him to oppress me at every possible opportunity, I was able to turn the family around and help it thrive these last few years. Under my guidance, the Zaitsev Bratva has reclaimed its place as one of the most powerful criminal organizations on the East Coast.

That could never have happened under my father. He was too stubborn and small-minded.

But it was an insult to me and my family, and even though I’ll never miss my father, I will do anything I can to get revenge.

“Victor and I had a deal, something similar to the deal we were trying to put together.” Aram tells the story as if he’s relating ancient, unimportant history, like reciting a lesson to a child. “But your father was a brutal, thuggish bastard, and on the nighthe was betrothed to my sister, he broke her jaw. It was, allegedly, supposed to teach her who the man in the house would be.”

I stare at him, trying to process. “Your sister? I didn’t know about this.”

“It wasn’t widely announced. She was very much against it from the start and was making all kinds of noise, especially after he knocked her around. And what was I supposed to do after that? Let the man hit my own fucking sister? When the opportunity presented itself, I murdered him in cold blood and didn’t lose any sleep over it. Of course, after that, my sister was free to run away to Philadelphia.”

I sit back in my chair and stare. His lips curl in an amused smile as I start to put it all together.

This can’t be real. This can’t be happening. But Aram looks completely amused as he leans forward. His voice drops to barely more than a whisper.

“That’s right,” he says, showing teeth in a wolfish grin. “Your father was going to marry my little baby sister, Miriam. Except she was already dating someone, a secret boyfriend nobody even knew about at the time, and I’m guessing she told your father in no uncertain terms that she wasn’t going to end things. I’m guessing he didn’t like that. And I’m guessing that’s why he broke her jaw.”

“She didn’t mention any of this to me,” I say, struggling to maintain my composure.

“You’ll have to ask her why she kept that precious little secret. Shame, if I had to guess. Revulsion as well. You’re the son of a man that abused her.”

Everything clicks into place. The way Miriam seemed afraid of me. How she begged Karine not to marry me. It all makes sense, if she’s the one that was betrothed to my father back then.

I knew there would be a marriage component. Everyone knew that. Except the name of his future bride was never public, and I just assumed?—

Well, fucking shit.

“That’s why she left Baltimore,” I say, feeling sick.

“Miriam had always been very… willful.” Aram crossed his arms over his chest. “After the mess with your father, she decided that enough was enough and she ran off with her precious little boyfriend. It’s too bad that cancer rotted him out. I’d say I miss him, but fuck that guy.”

I level my gaze on Aram. It’s a struggle, but I get control of myself. I doubt Karine knows any of this, and I don’t know how she’ll react when I tell her.

I’ll deal with that when the time comes.

“You killed my father because he hurt your sister. Are you saying we’re even?”

“Not at all,” he says and barks a laugh at me. “This whole fake alliance you tried to manipulate me into? You’re clearly still holding a fucking grudge. You think I’m going to turn my back on you now?” He leans forward, jaw hardening. “Besides, you have my fuckingson.And I want him back.”

Now we’re on to what matters. He told me that shit about Miriam to knock me off-balance—and he was smart enough to save that little revelation for a moment when it mattered. ButI’m here to negotiate for her life, and he still desperately wants his kid back alive.

Our history is irrelevant. We’re fighting this war, here and now.

“A straight swap. Your son for my mother-in-law.”

Aram grunts, his smile fading away. “Why would I trust you to follow through? So far, you’ve been nothing but as duplicitous as your father was.”

I take out my phone. He flinches as I do it, like I’m about to draw on him and shoot him in the skull in front of all these witnesses.

Instead, I connect via video chat to Karine. “Hello, darling. Can you show me our guest?”

“He’s right here.” She turns the phone to face Arsen. I do the same for Aram.

Father and son stare at each other.

For the first time since coming here, Aram’s expression softens. Cracks in his exterior form. “Are you okay?” he asks quietly.

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