Chapter 9 #2
I push away from the column, keeping my shoulders low, head bowed, hair falling like a curtain around my face. Too much time passes, and I get antsy. Then my phone vibrates with two new messages.
Zara: My father is here. He's being an ass.
Zara: He won't shut up about you.
A third appears before I can move.
Zara: I told him if he doesn't knock it off, I'll throw him off the balcony. You good with that?
I smile and hold back a laugh.
Me: I'll see you another time. Have fun with him.
Zara: I'm sorry. Call you later.
I exit the lobby, and the cold gust slices across my cheeks.
Vito springs out of the black SUV before I reach the curb.
Cassian steps out of the passenger seat, posture stiff, eyes scanning the area like he suddenly remembers what his job is.
Too late.
"Valentina," Cassian greets, voice even.
"Don't," I cut him off. Rage simmers under my skin, hotter than the winter wind.
Cassian flinches. "It won't happen again."
"It shouldn't have happened at all. Once is enough to get me killed. Don't make me repeat myself," I snap.
His jaw tightens, but he lowers his gaze. "Understood."
I slide into the backseat.
Vito shuts the door gently, then circles to the driver's side.
Cassian gets in front, saying nothing.
"Kirill's," I announce, then text.
Me: We need to talk. Are you home?
Kirill: Yes. Come over.
Vito starts the engine without looking back. The city lights smear against the windows as we cut through traffic.
I stare straight ahead, my pulse pounding in my ears. My thoughts spiral over Luca, Zara, my dead parents, and the Omni, who aren't making it easy for me to earn my seat. Then there's Vito and Cassian, who I'm no longer confident can keep me safe.
When we pull up to Kirill's building, Vito jumps out and opens my door.
I step onto the pavement and duck into the lobby. The guard nods at me. The elevator doors slide open immediately. I get on it and it smoothly lifts to the penthouse. When the doors part, I enter Kirill's.
He stands in front of the massive glass wall overlooking Lake Michigan. The evening clouds turned the endless water dark. City lights glitter along its edge. Snow flurries drift past the glass like ash.
"You're pacing," I say softly.
"I was," he replies, his voice distant. "Not anymore." He finally looks over his shoulder. He wears his unreadable expression, carved from stone and shadow. It's the kind of face that makes grown men confess their sins before he asks. But there's something softer in his eyes, too.
It's the look he always gives me now. It's the same expression I see on Brax whenever I have a task to complete with him.
Kirill asks, "Are you okay?"
I ignore answering what he's really asking and step closer. "No. Cassian didn't know Luca was going to Zara's. He didn't alert me until Luca was already in the elevator. He missed the signs about Brax. He missed other things, too. He's losing focus, and I can't afford that."
Kirill peers closer. "You want him replaced?"
I shake my head. "No. I need him replaced. If he can't anticipate basic threats, he's a liability. I need someone better."
He clenches his jaw.
I continue, "Why is Vito still driving me? I requested a new driver months ago."
His jaw tics. "The Omni denied your request."
My stomach drops. "Why?"
He stares at me.
My pulse stammers. My bitter and hollow laugh echoes around us. "Of course they did. Why support the girl they branded in the Scarlet Hour? Why give her competent guards?"
Kirill shifts. The floor vibrates under his weight. "Valentina—"
"No. Don't use that voice," I sharply reprimand.
"What voice?" he asks quietly.
"That one. The one filled with pity."
His eyes soften even more. "It's not pity. It's understanding."
"And pity," I insist.
We stare at each other across the room, an entire history of friendship and scarred skin.
He shakes his head slowly. "You walked in shaking."
"I'm not shaking."
"You're pale."
"I'm cold."
"You're lying."
The words lash through me. I lift my chin. "I'm fine."
He studies me, unblinking. "Are you?"
The question hits me in a place I avoid at all costs. My throat tightens. "I don't need you to worry. I need you to trust I'm fine."
He replies, "I'm allowed to check on the people I care about."
"Don't say it like that," I breathe.
"Like what?"
"Like I'm breakable."
The room goes still.
"You survived the Scarlet Hour." His voice drops, low and reverent in a way that makes my skin crawl. "You aren't breakable. But you're hurting."
My stomach knots. My voice cracks. "Just stop."
A long, heavy silence settles between us. It's thick enough to choke on.
I pull myself upright, drawing every shard of dignity back into place.
"I need a new driver and assistant. Competent people, not liabilities."
Kirill straightens, jaw tightening. "I will put in another request with my highest recommendation."
"Sometimes I wonder what being king is for if you can't make these decisions," I blurt out.
His face darkens. He mumbles, "Agree."
I glare at him a moment, then announce, "I'll see you later." I turn to leave.
"Valentina—"
"I said I'm fine," I snap, turning back.
He exhales long and slow, like he's trying to decide whether to chase after me or let me self-destruct for a night. But he doesn't move to stop me when I turn toward the door.
As soon as the elevator closes behind me, the weight of his concern crushes my lungs. The ride down stops at each floor, even though most are empty. Every second stretches thin, feeling more suffocating each time the gold doors open.
When I step outside, Vito is already holding the door open. Cassian sits in the front seat.
I slide into the backseat, and for the first time in a very long time, I don't know whether the car I'm sitting in belongs to allies or enemies.
"Home," I order.
Vito pulls into traffic. The Chicago skyline blurs past us. We turn onto Lakeshore Drive, headlights illuminating the dark water beside us. I rest a hand on my lap, and my rings graze my stomach. The dull sensation is a fresh reminder of my shame.
I get home, step inside my condo, and freeze.
Brax stands in the middle of my living room, hands in his pockets, shoulders tense. He pins the same eyes Kirill has on me.
My heart pounds harder.
Silence stretches between us like a wound.
I break it. "What are you doing here?"
He holds an envelope out. His sarcasm-laced voice states, "I'm supposed to give you this. Apparently, the Omni thinks I'm their personal errand boy."
"What's in it?" I ask.
He shrugs, jaw flexing. "No idea. They don't trust me with anything more complicated than door-to-door delivery."
"You have to earn trust," I remind him.
He grunts. New anger settles into his scowl.
"It'll get better," I offer in a softer tone.
Shock fills his expression. "How can you say that after all they did to you?"
My breath catches. I harden my expression. "Is there any other reason why you're still standing here?"
He studies me a moment, and my insides quiver. Then he shakes his head. "Nah. Don't worry, Minx. I'll get out of your way." He brushes past me.
"Brax—"
"I was there, too," he hisses, spinning back toward me.
I blink hard, taking short breaths. It doesn't calm me, so I close my eyes. My voice trembles. "We aren't talking about this."
He sighs.
I keep my eyes shut until I hear the door click, then slowly open them. I regain my composure and stare at the blank envelope.
What is this?
I get my letter opener, slide it across the seal, then pull out dozens of photos.
Every single one has Luca and me. I'm a child with missing teeth, wild curls, and sunburned cheeks. My first tooth came in, and I'm wearing pigtails and a tutu. It's my birthday, and I'm sitting on Uncle Luca's lap and blowing out the candles.
Who sent these?
My breath shatters. Each image breaks me, and the first sob hits before I can stop it.