Page 72 of Sinful Scars

I nod, not wanting to shield her from the truth.

“But why? That makes no sense. I would understand if he had targeted Lucia or even Zara.”

I choose not to tell her the truth, that he’s likely coming after her to lure me out of the shadows.

“I need you to promise me that you will persuade Alexei to help. Please, Nina.”

“Why are you so obsessed with her safety, Lev? What aren’t you telling me?”

“It’s not important.”

“Clearly, it is.” She folds her arms across her chest.

“Just…promise me.” The last of my energy is draining.

“Fine, but I think you should come with me to speak with Alexei. We don’t even know for sure if you had anything to do with the death of his parents, so maybe if we could convince him?—”

“No. Don’t paint me as innocent, Nina. Not when the evidence suggests otherwise.”

“Lev…” Her voice cracks, and I cringe, hating myself for the position I’ve put her in.

“You should get back.” I reach for the door handle.

“Wait, there’s something you need to know.”

I pause, glancing over at Nina to see her lower lip trembling as she tries to hold back tears.

“What is it?”

When the tears start to stream down her cheeks, I know whatever it is she’s about to tell me isn’t good.

“Nina?”

“Your mother…h-had an affair.”

“An affair?” My voice comes out cold.

“With Andre Koslov.”

“What are you saying, Nina?”

My heart starts to hammer in my chest as I consider what it is she’s trying to tell me.

“Igor isn’t your father, Lev.”

To hear her speak it aloud has my throat burning with the need to vomit.

“The Koslovs… They’re y-your brothers.”

Brothers.

There’s no fucking way.

“You can’t be serious.”

“It’s true, Lev. Andre Koslov is your father.”

Andre Koslov. The man I killed him in cold blood. He’s my father?

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