Page 29 of Thorns of Lust
“Why would he blackmail him?” I asked. “We don't need money.”
Aurora locked eyes with me. “He wanted information on an organization that contracted Kingston for assassinations, but Kingston refused to give him the information.” I stared at her dumbfounded. “Maybe that was the agreement he violated? Or maybe he did it to someone else that’s close to Vasili?”
Aurora shrugged, not elaborating further. These bits and pieces of information weren’t helping. They only piled up more questions than answers.
“Well, what else happened?” I barked. “Did Adrian just let it go?”
My sister-in-law looked uncomfortable. “I don’t think we–”
I shook my head. “No, you can’t give me crumbs and then not expect me to want to know the whole story. What happened then? Did Kingston give him what he wanted?”
“No.”
“No?”
Aurora let out a heavy sigh. “No, Kingston refused. So Adrian blackmailed him with some surveillance that my brother didn’t want anyone to see.”
“What surveillance?”
“I don’t know, Tatiana,” Aurora snapped sharply. Then immediately regret passed her expression. “Kingston doesn’t want to share details of his last twenty years with me. I won’t ask him those questions. He’s been through enough.
“How do you know then?” I questioned her.
“I overheard Alexei and Kingston talking. Your brother wanted to make sure nobody was after you.” I scoffed softly and Aurora narrowed her eyes on me. “Alexei cares about you and wants to protect you. All your brothers do.”
“I know, but they tend to hide shit from me,” I muttered. “Being blind and oblivious to things makes you more vulnerable. You should know that better than anyone, Aurora.”
She shook her head, disapproval clear on her face. “Well, after the accident and reading the investigation report, your brothers panicked. They wanted to make sure it was understood you had nothing to do with Adrian’s dealings.”
I stilled. “What dealings?” I asked cautiously. How much did my sister-in-law really know?
Aurora shrugged. “I don’t know. Shady dealings. Alexei knows more, so you should really talk to him.”
“Or Kingston,” I remarked pensively.
“No, not Kingston,” Aurora said firmly. “He’s been through enough. He doesn’t need more shit on his mind.”
She was right. Kingston had gone through enough shit, just like Alexei. Yet, questions kept piling up. This explanation was just as clear as those videos I found on Adrian’s laptop.Not!It pushed me further into confusion.
Couldn’t any revelation come with an open book and explanation?
Nothing worth having or knowing comes easy.
It was the only lesson my papa had taught me.
Of course, I had no fucking idea what it meant. I guess that I had to find out what Adrian was up to. Nothing good, it would seem.
Yet, I struggled to reconcile the boy I knew all my life to the hint of the man he left behind. The one who had incriminating crap on his laptop.Blackmail. Video evidence.
What was going on with Adrian? Was I too blind to see? Too wrapped up in wanting a baby to help him?
Maybe Papa was right. I’d have to find out so I’d have peace and move on.
TWELVE
TATIANA
Valentine's Day. The first one without him.
