Page 132 of Betrayed in the Dark
Leo turns toward Vin. “How much longer?”
My brows cinch together. “How much longer until what?”
“Be patient,” Vin answers, examining his watch. “He’ll be here any minute.”
I glance between all of them. “Who will be here—”
“Mr. Alarie, sir,” a boy who looks no older than twelve says as he approaches Vin. “I’ve got it.”
“Good work, kid.” Vin reaches into his pocket for a roll of bills, which he hands to the boy. The child’s eyes light up with excitement. “Now, hand over the goods.” The boy pulls a phone from his back pocket and hands it to Vin. “And remember, if your father asks, you got that money from mowing my lawn. Capisce?”
The boy nods eagerly. “Yes, sir.”
He turns and quickly leaves, walking through the exit.
We all stare at Vin.
Vin shrugs and explains, “He’s the son of one of my guards. A few months ago, he stole my watch, but his father made him return it. The kid has quick hands.” We continue to wait for a more detailed explanation. “So, I asked him to steal this.” He holds out a phone, ensuring that only we can see it. “Alastor’s phone.”
He slides it across the table to Alex, who immediately grabs it and gets up from his seat, striding toward a back hallway.
“You’re sure this will work?” I ask. “You really think he’ll be able to find something on there to show that the Vasilievs were involved?”
Vin simply nods as plates are placed in front of us, revealing tonight’s salad choice. A few minutes pass before someone taps a glass, drawing our attention to the other side of the room, where Alastor stands, waiting for everyone to look at him.
He smiles as he surveys the room. “I just wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for joining us tonight. Madeleine and I are so delighted to share such a special occasion with so many of our dearest friends and family members.”
A hand grips my shoulder, and I quickly turn to find Alex while Alastor’s ramblings blur in the background. He leans down and whispers, “Come with me.” He glances at Leo, Mauro, and Vin. “You too.”
I shake my head. “I can’t leave Madeleine.”
He turns and motions toward his cousins, who all stand and take the extra seats around our table.
“Better?” he asks.
“That will do.” As I stand, I lower my face toward Madeleine. “I’ll be right back.”
She nods, her attention still on Alastor as she plays the part of the doting fiancée that everyone thinks she is.
We follow Alex down a back hallway into a small room set up with computers.
Once the door shuts behind us, I ask, “What did you find? Are they involved?”
“Yeah. They’re involved, all right. But it’s a little more complicated than any of us could have realized.” He sighs, his eyes focused on me. “You’re going to need to listen to what I found for yourself.”
My brows furrow as he presses play. Suddenly, familiar voices sound from the speaker.
“I have a job for you,” Alastor states clearly. “One that will benefit not only my family but yours as well.”
“I’ll be the one who decides that,” Mikhail responds. “Why are you coming to me about this and not my father?”
“Because I need to know that discretion will be a factor,” Alastor answers. “Your father leaves too many loose ends.”
Mikhail pauses before saying, “Understood. So, tell me, what does this job entail?”
“What, dear cousin, could provide our family with more power than we can possibly imagine?”
“An alliance with an even more powerful family,” Mikhail answers, sounding bored. “What exactly are you getting at?”
