Page 6 of Viripotent

It’s going to haunt me now.

Redirecting the conversation before Len attempts to give me an order like he’s a respectable father. There’s no emotion in my voice or respect, “Where is your wife?”

If she’s fucking one of the guards, I’ll have to replace them and disinfect whatever they’ve touched. Hard eyes land on me as he helps himself to my bar, but I’m thirty years too old for him to fight.

“She was tired after the flight and went to bed.”

He doesn’t answer the question of who the succubus has taken with her. The fucker probably doesn’t even know and leaves to check after pouring a too-heavy hand from my top shelf. Gluttonous bastard.

Once we’re alone, Valentin moves closer and keeps his voice low and hopeful, “You got a plan?”

His eyes go wide at my change in behavior as I drain my tumbler in one gulp, and I tell him all he needs to know for now. “I’ll switch places with him. You will marry Inessa and become the big brother in charge.”

Tapping the bar with my middle finger, I nearly laugh at the thought of him trying to figure this shit out after being protected for so long.

“Good luck. At least you won’t have to deal with your tantrums like I’ve had to.”

I’ve faced worse than death for the idiots, and there are no results coming back from the trace to give away the location. All of this headache over a fight, that bastard Roel won — he should be happy.

Valentin sits beside me and stares at me like a lost puppy.

“You’re not suicidal. You’ll get him out and then have your fairy-tale wedding.”

I don’t know what stories he’s been reading, but it’s not anything close to resembling reality. Inessa can have the aesthetic of her dreams, but she’ll know each step is to serve apurpose. It’s almost disappointing that she hasn’t fought back or tried to have Maximoff go back on our agreement. Each time I prod her, she bends publicly and strikes privately. She’d make a good Vor if they allowed women to do anything other than gather information or open their legs.

Sending the link to the woman who set the trap, I hope she’s in turmoil and the kindness she shows people is true. If I’m going to die, I’m haunting as many people as I can. I leave Valentin to celebrate or grieve, depending on his mood, and take the stairs to my floor as I watch the video play again.Each loop rattles my brain as I use the replay to work out how badly he’s injured.

His leg is fucked, I can see that from the drill bit currently stuck in his kneecap, but he’s still attempting to stand. The final image of those Albanian fucks holding a knife to my brother’s throat comes too soon, and I restart the video. Again.

Viktor’s night-time obsession plays out as I reach my floor and pocket my phone. He’s the closest in mental age to the little puppy that is Vitya. He’ll be upset if he finds out that he’s hurt. I walk through with my scowl already in place. Turning towards me, he forgets to drop his smile, taking away the heat from his attempted mean mug.

“Shouldn’t you be asleep?”

My voice is too rough, but the kid likes it, and he sits back with his hands behind his head and ankles crossed.A king in the making.

Inessa can’t hide her disdain, looking me up and down like I’ve hit him. Ignoring her for now, I reach the end of the sofa in three steps. His glare comes out with more fire, showing he’s been practicing as I pick him up by his leg and carry him upside down toward his room. He chooses which floor he wants to sleep on every night, taking the unused service elevator, and he’ll never stay with his dad when Len and Anika are staying. It’sa way of physically getting as far away from them as possible, and he’d probably sleep on the roof if he could get past the child locks.

Dropping him on his bed, he scrambles under the covers, still wide awake, and the innocence comes out.

“Is Tali going to be home tomorrow? He promised to play a game with me when he got back.”

Stroking his hair back, I kiss his forehead and pull the sheets up to his chin giving my word.

“He’ll play with you when he’s home malyshonuk. Go to sleep.”

He smiles widely, believing everything I tell him, and plays the same shit game he always does.

“But what if monsters?”

Darkening my voice, I lean into him and let him see he’s protected by the worst one there is.

“There’s already one here.”

Turning his night light on, I wait for his lashes to flutter before silently leaving the room and go to my other houseguest. Inessa shuffles as far away from me as possible, and I can’t help my humor at her, thinking a few extra inches of air would save her.

“Do you sleep naked?”

My question has her cheeks turning ruddy, and she splutters, latching on to anger, “You’re a pig.”

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