Page 51 of Wicked Arrangement

“You’re sweet David, but it’s Yaroslav’s house, if he wants me to go I don’t think either of us will have much say in the matter,” I respond gently.

I continue to work as we talk, adding paint to the drawing, the color bringing it to life. I know David finds it calming to watch me, and he’s more relaxed when I’m not looking at him constantly.

“Well then, I’ll come with you, we’ll get our own place and fill it with fun stuff,” he says animatedly, “Yaroslav would be pleased to get rid of me anyway,” he adds.

“I’m sure that’s not true, your brother loves you,” I reply.

“He thinks I’m a burden,” he says, his voice flat.

“What makes you say that?” From what I can tell, Yaroslav loves his brother very much, so I’m surprised to hear he thinks that.

David shrugs, “I’m not… normal. I should have been his second in command, running the family business together, but instead, he treats me like a child. I’m not trusted to make decisions or work. I just sit around all day, cooped up in here and hidden away like the family’s dirty secret.”

“David, from what I can tell, your brother loves you very much, even if he isn’t the best at showing it. I’m sure he’s just trying to do what’s best for you.”

David glances at me sidelong, “You don’t know my brother very well yet. You’ve only seen his nice side. He can be ruthless when it comes to protecting the business. He cut our sister out of his life, he’d do the same to me if I become too much of a burden, or if I step out of line.”

“What happened between him and your sister?” I ask curiously, glancing at him.

He ponders the question for a moment, “To be honest, I don’t really know, I was too young. I just know that she moved away, and Yaroslav stopped wanting to talk to her. I think my Uncle Innokentiy probably had something to do with it.”

I want to know why, but I don’t want to push him, so I stay silent. If he wants to elaborate he will.

“I don’t like my uncle, he’s not a good man. Yaroslav thinks he’s great, but I don’t trust him, he treats me like a crazy person, and I think he’s jealous of my brother.”

I’m surprised to hear that, I know Yaroslav is fond of his uncle, seeing him as a father figure, so I’d assumed David would feel the same way.

I’m about to ask David some more questions, to try to find out more about Yaroslav, he’s so mysterious and closed off half the time that it’s hard to know what he’s thinking or feeling. Just as I’m about to speak, the man himself walks in.

“David, I hope you’re not bothering Kimberly, she’s had a long and traumatic day,” Yaroslav chides gently.

David scowls and I can tell he’s hurt by his brother’s insinuation, sensing a potential row, I speak up. “Not at all, he’s been helping to take my mind off it and keeping me company.”

Yaroslav looks between us both, I sense he doesn’t quite buy it, but he nods, “Good. Kimberly, would you feel up to having some company for dinner or are you too tired?”

“I’m exhausted but I know there’s no way I can sleep yet, not after everything that’s happened today, dinner would be lovely,” I reply truthfully.

“I want to join,” David chips in eagerly.

“No,” Yaroslav cuts him off abruptly, “You and I will have a little chat later brother, but for now, I want Kimberly to myself,” he says sternly.

David doesn’t argue, he searches his brother’s face and there seems to be some sort of silent conversation between the two. David nods sadly and gets up to leave, “Bye Kimmy, I really am sorry about your apartment.”

“Thanks, David,” I reply as he leaves, “Your brother is so sweet,” I say with a small smile to Yaroslav.

The muscle in his jaw twitches, “He’s good at pretending to be, but you should be careful around David. He might seem harmless, but he can be dangerous too.”

“Funny, he says the same thing about you,” I retort.

Chapter 25

Yaroslav

Ever since I heard about the fire, I can’t shake the thought that it was because of me. That an enemy has tried to hurt Kim to get to me, that she’s become a weakness to be exploited in the eyes of those who wish to hurt me. Or worse, I can’t shake the niggling thought that the cause of the fire could be far closer to home, that David might have done it.

It wouldn’t be the first time David’s started a fire, he’s prone to taking extreme measures to get what he wants. He didn’t want Kim to leave, and she’d practically said the main reason she had to was because she had a home and a life to return to. In David’s mind, it would be perfectly logical to ensure she doesn’t have a place to live so she has to stay here. He wouldn’t have realized the hurt it would cause. I need to speak to him. I also have business to attend to tonight. Finally, after weeks of wondering what he’s up to, I may have a lead on Sharkozi’s true intentions. If I find out he’s behind the fire, I’ll take great pleasure in burning him alive.

But right now, my focus is on Kim. She’s trying to be strong, but I can tell the fire has shaken her. She’s hardly said a word through dinner, nor has she eaten much, instead she’s simply pushing her food around on the plate.

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