Viktor(49)

His words hit me like a truck, but I refuse to let them in. What’s the truth and what’s a lie? Who knows? I don’t, that’s for sure.

I have to think. Have to be alone for a while.

So I walk out of the room, leaving him alone, and go to the guest room, locking myself inside.





Chapter 16





Alexis





I only stay in my room because I’m not sure what else to do. I want to know the truth, but Viktor won’t tell it to me straight. I have to think of a way to pull it out of him.

It’s way past twelve, but something tells me I need to go to him and figure it out. Besides, I’m done staring at the wall and looking at the dresses in the closet. I need something to do.

So I open the door and peek out.

The first thing that catches my attention is Winston. He’s pacing up and down the hall with a phone stuck to his ear, whisper-yelling stuff.

I sneak out and try to walk closer as silently as possible, leaning over the edge of the banister to try to listen in to his conversation.

“Yes, he’s absolutely sure,” Winston says. “No, he doesn’t—I’m sure you need him, but please understand—I know, and I’m sorry, but he was very clear when he said he didn’t want to anymore. Yes. Yes. No … I am begging you, please let him have his peace.” Winston wipes the sweat off his face.

“Hasn’t he done enough for you already? No, he’s not going to tell a soul, I give you my word. Why wouldn’t you believe me? We haven’t betrayed your—Yes, I know what he did, but you know he would never—No … He doesn’t want to talk to you.”

Winston sighs. “What? Are you sure? Uh-huh. Okay … I’ll tell him what you told me.”

He hangs up and lowers the phone, but he continues to stare at the wall for a few seconds.

There must be trouble … and it makes me wonder if Viktor’s hiding more secrets.

Winston makes his way to Viktor’s room, the one I’m not allowed to set foot in, and I follow behind him. I hide behind the walls to prevent him from spotting me, and only when he’s entered the room do I come closer … and press my left ear against the door.





***





Viktor





She hasn’t come out of her room since the phone call and our disastrous follow-up.

I take full responsibility.

I should’ve known her sister would want to see her. They need each other, probably even more than I need her. But I’m still not willing to let her go.

As I sit at my workbench crafting a new bracelet, I wonder if it was all worth it.

Keeping her here.

If getting to know her was worth having her ripped away from me again.

It probably was.

But I’m still going to fight to avoid it at all costs. I don’t wanna lose her.

She doesn’t know why she’s at risk. Why, at any moment, someone could come and take her away from me. But the bigger issue is that if I tell her the complete truth, she’ll lose all faith in me. She probably already has.

I often wonder why she’s still here.

Why she hasn’t fled.

Then again, it’s not like she could.

I carefully chisel off another slice of the crystal, so it’ll fit the setting. That’s when someone knocks on my door, disturbing me.

“What?” I yell in a monotonous voice.

“I’ve got some news, Viktor.” It’s Winston.

I sigh. “Not interested.”

After a few seconds, the door creaks open anyway. “I think you should hear this.”

I turn around, annoyed. “What’s so important?”

He closes the door behind him. “I just got a call from Vladim.”

My jaw drops. “What?” I pull the working glasses off my face. “And you didn’t even give the phone to me?”

“It was too late. He’d already hung up.”

I frown. “What’d he say?”

Winston comes closer and puts his hands behind his back, closing his eyes. “He demanded that you come work for him again. He won’t take your resignation.”

“Bullshit.”

Winston clears his throat. “He also added … that he’d kill you if you didn’t.”

I take a deep breath and lower my instruments, gazing at the shining jewels underneath. “Let him. I don’t care anymore.”

“I think you do because he also said he knows you have the girl.”

My eyes widen, and I slam my instruments down on the table. “What? How?”

“I don’t know. He didn’t say and refused to tell me. Call him. He might tell you.”

I run my fingers through my hair. “And you’re sure he knows she’s here?”

He nods. “No doubt. Even his description of her matches.”