Page 71 of Twisted Vows

Grigory lingers, standing next to the armrest of his chair, his tablet now dark in his hand. He tilts his head, studying me with that sharp, unblinking look he’s always had—the one that makes me want to remind him I’m the older brother.

“You’re not going to let this rest,” he says, more observation than question.

“No,” I reply evenly. “And neither will you.”

His lips twitch into the faintest smirk. “Good.” With that, he steps toward the door, his movements loose and unhurried. Just before he leaves, he turns back, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. “Watch your blind spots, Max. They’ll kill you faster than a bullet.”

Then he’s gone.

The door clicks shut, leaving only me and Ari in the room. She hasn’t moved from her seat.

She’s still, but her posture isn’t relaxed. Her arms are crossed tightly over her chest, her legs crossed at the knee, her body angled slightly away from me.

I narrow my eyes. “You’re awfully quiet for someone who just accused Nikolai of being a traitor.”

Ari’s head snaps up, her green eyes flashing. “I didn’t accuse him. I pointed out inconsistencies.”

I move closer. “And you think those ‘inconsistencies’ are enough to plant a target on his back? Do you know what happens if you’re wrong?”

She doesn’t flinch. “What happens if I’m right?”

I stop in front of her, towering over her seated figure. “I don’t make decisions based on feelings,” I say, my voice low. “You think Nikolai’s off? Fine. But if you’re wrong, Ari—” My voice sharpens. “If you’re wrong, you’ll have blood on your hands. His blood.”

“Do you think I don’t know that?” she says, her voice softer now but no less steady. “Do you think I enjoy betraying someone you trust?” She shakes her head, her gaze cutting into mine. “I don’t want to be right, Maxsim. But if I am… if Nikolai is the mole, then this is bigger than you or me or loyalty. It’s survival.”

I hold her gaze for a long moment, searching her face for something I can’t name.

“If I’m wrong, I’ll live with it,” she says quietly. “But if I’m right, Maxsim…I won’t lose you.” She stands and strides out the door before I can reply.

I pull out my phone, my fingers hovering over the screen for just a second before I dial.

Anton answers on the second ring.

“Boss?”

“Eyes on Nikolai,” I say, my voice colder than I intend. “I don’t care how you do it, but if he so much as breathes wrong, I want to know.”

There’s a pause, just long enough to grate on my nerves.

“Understood,” Anton says finally. “Do you think—?”

“Just do as I ask,” I snap, harsher than necessary. I end the call and glance at the bullet on the table. The sharp edge gleams in the lamplight, mocking me.

Everyone has a price.

Everyone can be turned.

I pick up the bullet, turning it over in my fingers.

Someone betrayed me.

Someone close.

And if I don’t find them soon, this house of cards will collapse—and take everything I’ve built with it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

An eye for an eye.

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