15. Eva
Eva
I wake with dawn as I usually do, my mind immediately sharp and focused despite the lingering warmth of Robin’s body beside me.
The financial irregularities from last night’s spreadsheet review circle through my thoughts like vultures—numbers that don’t add up, patterns that make no sense, discrepancies that suggest either incompetence or something far more sinister.
I haven’t told Robin about my concerns. There’s no point in worrying her until I understand exactly what we’re dealing with. Who we’re dealing with. But the anomalies gnaw at me as I shower and dress, a persistent itch I can’t quite scratch.
By the time the household begins to stir, I’m already in the breakfast room, reviewing emails on my phone and trying to appear casual despite the restless energy coursing through my veins.
I’ve built an empire on my ability to root out weakness and eliminate threats, but these numbers refuse to reveal their secrets.
When Robin appears in the doorway, hair still damp from her shower, I feel some of the tension ease from my shoulders. She moves through the morning routine, checking on her siblings, ensuring everyone has what they need. There’s something soothing about their domestic rhythms.
“Morning,” she says, dropping a kiss on the top of my head as she passes. The casual affection still catches me off guard, even after everything we’ve shared.
Soon the breakfast table fills with the cheerful chatter of Robin’s family. Maisie talks about her dreams while systematically destroying a piece of toast with butter, Alicia talks loudly about her plans for the day, and Dane emerges looking rumpled but alert.
Perfect.
“Dane,” I say, sliding into the conversation, “Robin mentioned you have a gift for numbers.”
He pauses with his fork halfway to his mouth, suddenly wary. “I guess?”
“What kind of mathematics do you enjoy? Theoretical? Applied?”
“Dunno. What I really like is computers. But they’re just numbers, too.” His wariness fades as he warms to the topic. “I’ve been teaching myself programming languages. It’s fun. Like—solving mysteries, only it’s just numbers.”
I exchange a glance with Robin, who’s watching this exchange with growing suspicion. Time to make my move.
“As it happens,” I say carefully, “I have a numerical mystery that could use a fresh pair of eyes. Would you be interested in taking a look? Consider it a challenge—see if you can spot patterns that the adults have missed. And I’ll have a reward for you if you succeed.”
Dane sits up straighter, immediately intrigued. “Really?”
“Yes. I’ll take you on a joyride in one of my helicopters, show you the mountain ranges.”
“That would be amazing!” Dane says, as Alicia and Maisie instantly insist that they should be allowed to come too.
“Eva,” Robin warns, but I turn to her with appeal in my voice.
“All the data would be anonymized—just numbers and codes, no names or identifying information. Think of it as playing forensic accountant.”
“Hell, yes!” Dane practically bounces in his seat. “I’ll do it!”
“Of course, only if your sister will allow it,” I say quickly, noting Robin’s exasperated expression.
Dane turns to her at once. “Please, Robin?” he begs. “It’s just spreadsheets. And Eva said it’s all anonymous.”
Robin sighs, the sound of someone fighting a losing battle. “He’d really just be looking at numbers?”
“Completely sanitized data,” I confirm. “No details, no client information. Pure numbers.”
“And you’d spend time outside today, too,” Robin adds firmly. “You’re not hiding in front of a computer all day.”
“Deal,” Dane agrees immediately.
Robin looks between us, clearly recognizing that she’s been outmaneuvered but unable to find a compelling reason to refuse. “Fine. But if I find out you’ve exposed him to anything inappropriate?—”
“You have my word,” I say solemnly.
He bolts from his chair, practically vibrating with excitement. “I need to shower and get dressed. When can I start?”
“After everyone else has left for the village,” I tell him. “We’ll set you up in the library with a laptop.”
He disappears upstairs with the energy of someone who’s just been handed the keys to a candy store, leaving Robin shaking her head at me.
“You know he’ll want to be a forensic accountant for real now,” she says. “You’ve probably just determined his entire career path.”
“Would that be such a terrible thing?” I ask. “The world needs people who can follow money trails and expose corruption.”
Robin shoots me an amused look, as Maisie asks again if she can go in the helicopter.
“Of course you can, sweetheart,” I tell her brightly. “Now, what are your plans for today?”
“Village!” Maisie announces. “I want to explore more.”
“I’m going to find more of those painted pottery pieces,” Alicia adds. “The lady at the market said her grandmother made them.”
“And you?” Robin asks Adrian, though from the way he’s trying to look casual while checking his reflection in the butter knife, I suspect I know the answer.
“Well, Mira said she’s going to show me the bike trails in the forest.”
Robin’s smile is gentle, understanding. “Sounds like fun. And you’re looking good today, too.”
Adrian rolls his eyes but can’t quite hide his pleased expression. I find myself oddly charmed by his transparent crush.
The sound of car engines in the courtyard announces Stefan and Dimi’s arrival.
Through the window, I watch them emerge from the sleek black sedan—Stefan dignified and formal despite the early hour, Dimi somehow managing to look effortlessly elegant even though he’s probably been traveling all night.
They enter the breakfast room like opposing forces of nature. Stefan offers formal greetings to everyone while Dimi immediately gravitates toward the younger children with theatrical charm.
“Ah, the famous Rivers siblings!” Dimi announces, executing an elaborate bow that makes Maisie giggle. “I am Dimitri Novak, at your service. But you may call me Dimi, since we’re practically family now.”
“Are you a prince?” Alicia asks, wide-eyed.
“Only on weekends,” Dimi replies. “The rest of the time, I am merely devastatingly handsome and tragically single.”
Both girls dissolve into laughter.
“I hear you’re all planning to visit the village today,” Dimi continues. “Perfect timing! I owe Mira a proper lunch after she saved my royal hide during my last visit.” He winks at me. “Something about showing up uninvited and nearly getting myself shot by suspicious locals.”
Adrian’s expression shifts subtly—not quite jealousy, but definitely protective irritation. “If she has time, I guess,” he says casually. “We had something planned. And we should leave soon if we’re going.” Adrian stands. “Mira’s expecting me—us—by ten.”
Robin excuses herself to shower and dress, and I need to speak to Stefan. But I can’t use my study—the cushions are still scattered on the floor from last night’s intimacy.
“Stefan,” I say, rising smoothly. “Shall we adjourn to the Great Hall?”
He nods, understanding immediately that this isn’t a casual invitation. We leave Dimi entertaining the children with increasingly elaborate stories about his supposed royal adventures.
The Great Hall feels appropriately formal for what I need to say—soaring ceilings, ancestral portraits watching from gilded frames, medieval tapestries hanging across the walls. I close the heavy doors and turn to face my uncle.
“I owe you an apology,” I begin without preamble.
Stefan’s eyebrows rise slightly, but he waits for me to continue.
“In Las Vegas, when you tried to counsel me, I shut you down. Dismissed your advice in front of others. That was wrong of me. Your guidance has been invaluable to the Consortium, and to me personally. I should never have spoken to you that way, especially not publicly.”
For a long moment, Stefan studies me with those sharp eyes that miss nothing. When he finally speaks, his tone is thoughtful.
“Is this Miss Rivers’ influence?”
The question catches me off guard. I expect him to accept my apology, maybe lecture me about respect and protocol. Instead, he seems to be probing deeper.
“You were absolutely right to speak sharply to me,” he continues before I can answer. “I questioned your authority in front of outsiders. That was unacceptable, regardless of my intentions.”
“Stefan—”
“Your father would have done far worse than speak harshly.” His voice carries the weight of old memories. “Zoltan would have made an example of me. You need to remember that, Eva. Remember where you came from, who you are. The blood that flows in your veins.”
Something cold settles in my chest at the mention of my father’s methods. Yes, Zoltan Novak would have responded to Stefan’s public questioning with violence, humiliation, or worse. He ruled through fear and brutality, demanding absolute submission from everyone around him.
And for most of my life, I thought that was strength.
“I am not my father,” I say quietly, the words surprising me as they leave my mouth. “Whether Robin is the catalyst for change in me, or simply the final push toward something that was always inevitable, I can’t say. But I don’t want to rule through fear and violence anymore.”
Stefan’s expression grows concerned, almost paternal. “Eva?—”
“I meant what I said in Las Vegas. The Consortium will evolve. We’ll be more discerning about our clients, more selective about our operations. We have the luxury of choice now—we don’t need to accept every contract that comes our way.”
“And if that evolution weakens us?”
“Then we’ll adapt. But first, I need to understand what’s happening with our finances.
” I move to the window, gazing out at the mountains and lake that have sheltered my family for generations.
“Leon alerted me to your investigations, and I’ve checked for myself, as well.
There are irregularities in the books, Stefan.
Patterns that don’t make sense. I suspect Markov may be involved, but I need proof before I act. ”
The silence behind me stretches long enough that I turn back to look at Stefan. His face has gone grave. He glances toward the doors, ensuring we’re truly alone, then moves closer. “I don’t believe Markov is responsible for the financial anomalies,” he says quietly.
“Then who?—”
“Leon.”
“That’s impossible,” I hear myself say, but the words sound distant, hollow.
“I wish it were.” Stefan’s expression is pained, as if delivering this news causes him genuine anguish.
“But as you know, I’ve been conducting my own investigation, following paper trails that he discarded at first. They all lead back to him.
Financial discrepancies that coincide with his access to our systems. Patterns that become clear only when you consider his position and capabilities. ”
My mind reels, trying to process this information while simultaneously rejecting it.
Leon has been my constant companion for decades.
He taught me to fight, to think tactically, to survive in a world that would destroy me without hesitation.
The idea that he could betray me—betray everything we’ve built together—is unthinkable.
“You must be wrong,” I say, but even as the words leave my mouth, I hear the doubt creeping in.
“I hope I am,” Stefan replies quietly. “But Eva, you need to consider the possibility. And you need to decide what you’ll do if it’s true.”
I sink into one of the high-backed chairs, feeling suddenly older than my years. The foundations of my world are shifting beneath me, and I don’t know what will remain standing when the earthquake ends.
Could Leon really be stealing from me? From the Consortium?
And if he is, what does that say about my judgment? My ability to lead?
If I can’t trust the person closest to me, how can I trust anyone?