Chapter Twenty-Seven Cole
Our final day in Monaco is spent watching cars loop around the city track over and over again, from a yacht that belongs to one of Anant’s friends. I don’t see the appeal, but Levi loves cars and Formula One which is why I planned this trip initially.
Him, Anant and Kez watch on intently, groaning when someone takes too long in the pit area and screaming whenever a car tries and fails to overtake another in the narrow streets. When their favourite driver wins, they scream, hugging each other as the entire city breaks out in celebration.
By the time the sky turns a deep blue, everyone is slightly drunk, and loud chatter and music float through the harbour. Kai leans into me and my arm rests on top of his chest. His eyes focus on the sky as a new round of fireworks begins, breaking out into a sparkling flurry.
I look down at him carefully. His skin has deepened because of the sun and little freckles have popped up around his nose. He’s so pretty, it’s almost unnatural but today, he’s been quiet. He’s stuck in deep thought about something that’s not here. I wonder if it has anything to do with that phone call in the morning.
“Hey,” I whisper against the shell of his ear.
He flinches slightly but quickly recovers, blinking and then replacing that dazed look as he shifts to look up at me with an easy smile. Above us, fireworks erupt into the sky and there is a collective ‘ooh’ around us. The gold of the lights reflects in his eyes. I run my thumb over his lips, unable to resist touching him in some way.
“Hi,” Kai whispers back.
“How are you feeling? You’ve been quiet today.”
When I found him earlier this morning, he seemed terrified. I had assumed it was because I scared him, but his heart was racing in his chest, and he’s been checking his phone all day. Something is up.
Kai nods. “Yeah, all good,” he says with a smile.
It’s forced.
When the good Doctor Phillipe told my parents I was a potential serial killer, I did everything in my power not to be. I watched videos, and read books and articles about emotional reactions and facial expressions. I know how to read people. I know what they want and right now, Kai is lying to me.
I frown, running my thumb over his full lower lip. “Were you really speaking to Zara this morning?”
It’s quick, a mere split-second that most people wouldn’t notice, but his eyes widen before he sits up straight, breaking out of my grasp. He turns to face me properly and places both of his hands on my cheeks.
“Yes, seriously, nothing is wrong. I think I’m just exhausted. Last night was,” he pauses, suppressing his smile by biting the corner of his lower lip—distracting me. “Last night just was a lot. That’s all.”
He could be dropping. Last night did get intense for all of us and he fell asleep almost immediately after. The after-effects may be only settling in now. But I’ve watched him have his sub-drop before. This isn’t like last time. Something else is wrong.
He leans in and places a gentle kiss on my lips before letting me go. “Actually, I should call my mom. I haven’t spoken to her all weekend.” He stands and runs a hand through his hair. “I’ll be back in a second.” He quickly disappears and I watch him go.
Interesting. Our new boyfriend is an excellent liar.
***
A week has passed since we got back from Monaco and I sit in my office, at work and Daniel is standing in front of me with that serious face of his.
“As you requested, the Petrov shipment was seized by authorities in Rotterdam two nights ago,” he says. “They won’t let it go until we give them the word.”
I smile up at Daniel. Alexei Petrov is a prolific arms dealer who my father has been doing business with since before I was born. He’s a terrifying man, the kind who has bodies littered all around the world. According to some rumours, he likes to watch his men do target practice on the people who cross him.
Petrov is shipping fifteen million dollars’ worth of military-grade weapons and now Nick has managed to get that shipment seized by authorities.
A man like Petrov won’t believe that his shipment was randomly seized. It’s been over thirty years, and this has never happened before. Once he finds out, he’ll believe Nick has something to do with it. Maybe someone will tell him Nick found another buyer who will give him double the amount for Petrov’s merchandise.
“Thank you, Daniel,” I say. “Tell them to hold off telling anyone about this, will you?”
Daniel nods. “Of course. Anything else before I go?”
“Yes, actually,” I say. “Please have someone look into Kai for me.”
He frowns. “Is something wrong?”
Kai has been hiding something since Monaco. He’s an impressive liar but I can see right through him. I know this is probably not the best way to go about things but every time I’ve given him the opportunity to tell me the truth, he brushes past it with a sweet smile or a mind-blowing orgasm.
“That’s what I want to know,” I say to Daniel.
“Permission to speak out of turn?” Daniel asks, his blue eyes filled with concern.
I lift an eyebrow. “When have you ever asked me for permission to do anything?”
He laughs, shaking his head. “You’re right but is this a good idea? I mean you three just started this relationship. What if he finds out you’re looking into him? Do you want to mess with that?”
“He’s hiding something,” I say.
“What if it’s something you don’t like?” he pushes. If it’s something I don’t like, I can deal with that later. Right now, I’m worried about him.
Daniel must read my expression because he purses his lips and nods. “Message received. I’ll see what I can find.” He holds up a finger. “By the way, the security detail tailing Levi on his runs this week has reported nothing out of the ordinary.”
I nod. Maybe it was nothing. “Thanks, D—”
Just as I’m about to finish, Nick bursts into my office. His eyes are wild, and his hair is a mess. He looks completely out of character. Even his red tie is skewed on his collar.
“What the hell did you do?” he demands.
Daniel stands in front of him to stop him from launching at me and I can’t help but laugh quietly. Daniel is huge and Nick is trim from his strictly vegan diet.
“It’s okay, Daniel,” I say. “He won’t hurt me.”
Daniel moves aside to reveal my brother again. He does look like he might kill me.
“What are you talking about?” I ask innocently.
“Petrov!” Nick spits out.
“Am I supposed to know who that is?” I ask.
“Don’t be cute, Cole, it doesn’t suit you,” Nick says.
I laugh, deciding to put him out of his misery. “Oh, now I remember. The Russian arms dealer. I hear his shipment was seized in Rotterdam? A shipment you were managing if I remember correctly.”
Nick shakes his head, his lips curled in disgust. “I knew you were behind this,” he says. “For God’s sake, Cole, if Petrov finds out, I’m dead.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” I tell him. I realise I mean it. I don’t owe him anything anymore.
He frowns, confusion clear on his face. “What have I ever done to you?” he asks. “Is this about the stupid shed? We were kids, Cole! You got your revenge when you sliced open my rabbit. We’re even. We’ve been even for a long time.”
My nostrils flare. I’m not surprised he thinks we’re even, never mind all those times he made sure to make my life a living nightmare. “You know this isn’t what it’s about, Nick.”
“So, what is it?” he asks. “The reports? The sex-tape? I didn’t share that with anyone, and I wasn’t going to! It was a stupid joke. Is your fucked up head unable to comprehend jokes now?”
I shake my head. “That’s not it either although that did inspire me,” I say, leaning back. “I was happy to leave you alone; you knew that and yet you still pushed.”
My brother runs a hand through his dark hair. He looks so unlike himself. Frustrated and terrified. “Fine, I’ll bite. What is this about then?”
I take in a quiet breath. “The fire, Nick.”
His mouth falls open, his eyes darting between Daniel and I. “H-how did you know?”
I shrug, standing from my chair. “I bumped into your friend Charlie the other day. It was really lucky actually; I think he called it serendipitous,” I say, coming around to face him. “He wanted to apologise for lying to everyone about that night. He said you convinced him to blame me.”
Nick is already shaking his head. “Shit, Cole,” he says. “It wasn’t meant to get like that. We were messing around, and things got out of hand. I’m sorry.”
I tilt my head, leaning against my desk. “Why involve me then? Did you hate me that much?”
He shakes his head. “I just—I just didn’t want you to take what was rightfully mine. Everyone adored you when you were born, Cole. They all thought you were so perfect. It wasn’t fair. Even after Dad realised what you were, it’s like he loved you even more. But I was right there, and you were taking everything from me!”
Maybe if I had the emotional capacity, I’d feel bad but looking at him, I feel nothing. He just sounds like a petulant child to me.
“You think Dad will thank me when I tell him you’ve lost fifteen million dollars worth of merch. Merch belonging to Alexei Petrov of all people?” I ask grinning. “Because if Petrov doesn’t kill you, Dad will and then he’ll give me everything you have always wanted.”
His jaw goes slack, and he swallows. “Please, Cole. I’ll do anything. I’ll get on my knees. Is that what you want? You want me to beg? Fine, I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry.”
I wave a hand. His apology does nothing for me now. “No need for all of that, Nicky. I just want guarantees.”
“Anything!” he says desperately. “Tell me and it’s done.”
“You swear to leave me alone. You do not come near me ever again, understood? In fact, you forget I exist.”
“Fine. Done,” he says. “But you call your guys off now.”
I shrug and look at Daniel. “You heard the man.”
Daniel nods. “Of course.”
Nick lets out a loud sigh of relief. He shouldn’t look so relieved. I’m not done with him yet. “Now, please leave my office.”
“Goodbye, Cole,” he all but snarls before turning on his heel and disappearing out the door.
Daniel lifts an amused eyebrow. “That was dramatic,” he says. “Am I calling the guys in Rotterdam?”
I shake my head. “No, let Petrov find out. He won’t kill Nick as a favour to my father, but he will do some damage.”
Nick deserves a lot more for what he’s done but I’m done fighting him. When all of this is over, I need a long holiday with Levi and Kai on an island, preferably one where no one can find us.