Page 4 of Vengeful Embers

I didn’t need to come. Petrov could’ve been handled by any one of my attorneys from my law firm back in Moscow. It wasn’t because I didn’t trust any of them with Petrov, but because Petrov isn’t the only reason I’m here.

My younger sister Irina is. I take a sip of the premium vodka clutched in my hand. A few days ago, I was walking past Nadia’s private living room in my penthouse in Moscow, and heard her talking to Irina. I wasn’t intending to eavesdrop, but the word adoption hit me like a gunshot.

Adopting? That was not the plan or the real reason I agreed to let Irina marry Gavriil Mirochin under the guise of joining the Dragunov and Mirochin families to cement an alliance betweenus. An alliance that only benefited the Mirochins, as they used our village port and boats for their own gain. I feel the familiar burn of anger start to flare in my gut, and I down the rest of the vodka.

Irina married Gavriil Mirochin to produce a Mirochin-Dragunov heir and win the trust of the Mirochins and, by extension, the Molchanovs. In return, Irina gets to study her PhD in America, I would give her freedom, and ten years to achieve the goal set for her. That would give her enough time to make the Mirochins trust her, and give me leverage over their empire while I rebuilt ours and ensured we were strong enough for what was to come.

I held up my end.

So far Irina hasn’t. Her mission started on her nineteenth birthday, the day she married Gavriil. She will be twenty-nine in little over nine months and still there is no child but talk of adoption.

I roll my cuff down, fasten the button. I warned Irina four months ago—twenty-nine is coming.

She sounded distant, vague. Now I know why. I have as suspicion my sister’s allegiances may have shifted and Irina’s under the impression that if there is no blood heir I have no hold over the Mirochins or her. She forgets she has a twin sister and I have more than one plan in play.

So here I am in Vegas. Not as Ruslan Dragunov, but as Damien Romanov. A ghost with perfect credentials and no history. I brought Konstantin with me and he has gone to get my sister and bring her to me—alone.

“She’s here,” Konstantin tells me now, entering the bedroom. “She’s waiting in the living room.”

“Did she come alone?”

He nods. “Da. It is just her.”

“Thank you.” I start to walk toward the door and he steps aside. “I’ll call you when she’s ready to go.”

Konstantin nods and walks out.

I walk into the living room and I’m greeted by a stormy Irina. Her jaw is tight. Her posture is rigid as her outrage is hurled at me.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” she demands.

“Hello to you too, little sister.” I tilt my head. “I’m in Vegas for a client.”

“Bullshit,” Irina hisses. “Don’t lie to me.”

“Irina—”

“Don’t Irina me in your placating voice and think it will calm me down or make me believe what the real intent of you being in Vegas is.” Her arms fold across her chest. “You’re spying on Gavriil. Or maybe Oleksi. Or… you’re getting antsy because I haven’t yet produced an heir.”

“If I wanted to spy on you or the Mirochins, I could do it from Moscow.” I glance out the window, my stomach clenching at the sight of the Vegas strip. I have no love for this city or this country.

“Sure!” Her voice is filled with disbelief. Her phone bleeps and she looks at it shaking her head. “If you’re not here to spy on my husband and his family, why are you checked into their hotel under the name Damien Romanov?”

“Because of the sensitivity of my client’s case it’s best that opposing counsel doesn’t get wind that his attorney is in town.” It’s not a complete lie.

“Then why all the cloak and dagger sending Konstantin to discreetly get me here alone?” Irina asks suspiciously. “Or has that got to do with you having to maintain cover too?”

I walk toward the bar and pour us both a drink. “No, I wanted to talk to you alone.” I hand her the glass but she doesn’t take it so I put it on the coffee table. “Because the last time we spoke, you sounded... distraught.”

“Wow!” Irina looks at me in disbelief. “You were so concerned about me that it took you four months to come check on me?”

“Part of our deal was that I give you your space and freedom with no interference,” I remind her. “I was hoping that you’d call me and tell me what was going on.” My features soften and I sit on the sofa watching her as I give her a small smile. “There was a time when you came to me with all your problems.”

“There was a time when I had a big brother with a big heart and who really cared about those he loved.” Irina’s eyes narrow and her voice is thick with accusation. “I felt safe with him and knew that no matter what, he’d always have my back.”

“I’m right here.” I feel a twinge as her words pull at my heartstrings but ignore it. I have no time for sentiment or petulant younger siblings. “And have always been.”

“Another lie.” Irina’s voice is soft and her eyes flash with hurt and betrayal. “You haven’t been there for any of us since…” My eyes narrow warningly as I know where she’s going with this. “For thirteen years.” She changes direction.

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