He clasped the side of Vincente’s jaw and gave him an affectionate pat before he went around to Alek. Everyone tensed as they came eye-to-eye, standing at the same height and similar body build.
Alek’s posture didn’t alter, which Lucian appreciated because any sign of aggression at this point would be acted upon with no mercy.
He held those pale eyes for a long moment, enjoying the culpable sorrow swimming in them. “I am glad you realize it is a possibility that I stand here in place of your uncle, mourning the loss of my loved one, my only sibling.”
Alek gave him a single nod.
“The only reason I can look into your eyes is because I understand your cousin is not operating with a sound mind. I am beginning to think this was not meant to be you. I believe Sergei has an agenda. Why it included taking my brother’s life will probably never be known.”
He turned away and went back to his dead. He bent and pressed his lips to Markus’s hairline. “Such an open, genuine person. I asked him once how he could go through life like that. I’ve never understood why he never felt the need to hide. Do you know what he told me?”
He cupped Markus’s cheek, wishing he’d made the affectionate gesture more when it would have meant something.
“Exactly what you would expect. ‘It’s not a conscious thing. I guess I just don’t have anything going on that I feel I can’t show people.’” He frowned as he considered that. Maybe it had been Claude’s secret Markus had been keeping, and not his own. “I couldn’t comprehend what he meant when he said that. I have many things I dare not show. So many things,” he mused. “Are any of you aware who this amazing man really was to me?” He got a response after an extended period of silence.
“Your conscience.”
The answer came from the door, and they all turned to see Vasily standing there looking broken-hearted.
Lucian made his way over as his friend started forward. They met in the middle, and the tight cinch they walked into was felt by everyone. Not a word was exchanged but the condolences and comfort offered were palpable.
After they separated, the two leaders shared a look.
“Vasily knows me well,” Lucian said as he went to the door. “In keeping with the honesty surrounding us, no doubt a by-product of that one’s spirit.” He nodded toward the table. “I’ll repeat; he loved you all like brothers, and I feel I should tell you that’s the only thing preventing me from laying waste to you and every loved one you have. I feel an overpowering need to begin the bloodiest war our kind has ever been witness to. But I suspect that would be falling in line with Sergei’s plan, and I will not go there.” He pushed the panel open. “With Markus gone, this world that is ours is going to change, gentlemen. It is a change that should have you and every one of our associates cowering in fear.”
He went to walk out but paused once more. “I know, or at least I hope, you will all have enough respect for him to attend his funeral. But afterward, I strongly suggest you remain a great distance from me for a very, very long time.”
As he went down the hallway and settled into a corner, he called up Claude’s number on his list of contacts. It was answered on the second ring.
“Claude? It’s Lucian.”
“’Allo, Lucian. How are things?”
Lucian pictured the big Frenchman with the hard pewter stare. “I have some devastating news.”
The quiet alarm that saturated the connection was actually comforting. It meant Markus had been loved by someone other than himself.
A quiet string of French curses filled his ear. “Not Markus.”
“Yes. I will explain when I see you. I am bringing him home with me. Meet me at the Southampton house as soon as you can.”
“Is he…?”
“He is gone.”
A guttural sound of pure pain was followed by a spectacular crash, and then the line went dead.
TWENTY-NINE
Snuggling deeper into Alekzander’s bulky NYU hoodie, Sacha watched the even rise and fall of her daughter’s chest. After what had happened earlier, she couldn’t bring herself to move more than a few feet away. No way she could sleep.
I dropped him off the side of a building.
She spun her rings as Alekzander’s words echoed through her mind. They terrified her. And brought her more satisfaction than they should. How could they not?
Though the man ultimately responsible for Lekzi’s near-death was still out there. Alekzander’s cousin. A man Sacha had once sat across from, Alekzander by her side, and enjoyed a dinner his wife had prepared while helping their son with his homework.
She spun her rings faster.