ALAYNAIt is after dinner when our guests arrive at the mansion. Two guys who look exactly alike were introduced to me as Carmelo and Constantine Katrakis, Brandon’s cousins who are Oliver’s age. The only difference I see is Constantine wears a semi-casual navy-blue dress shirt and his brother a black T-shirt. Both are blond and pale-skinned like Cassius. Jason comes in after them, and I stop by the door while Brandon ushers his cousins inside.
“So, did you even think of telling me?” I ask J in a whisper. “Brandon told me about it.”
“Right.” He nods. “Of course I was going to tell you, but I felt yesterday wasn’t a good time. We were catching up.”
“Fair enough.” I wouldn’t have wanted any tension in our reunion either. “But wait.” I catch his arm.
“What?” He bends to my height.
“Did you tell Brandon about himHe pauses, and his forehead creases. “Of course not!”
“But he knows!” I murmur in his ear. “How would he know that?
He straightens his back and scoffs. “Laynie, you must be forgetting who your man is.” He shoots a glance at Brandon, who’s speaking to his cousins across the room. “Brandon Lucien rules New York, but I guess you can’t see that now. He has his ways of knowing things.”
“Like you, being a private agent or something.” I snort. Sometimes, I wonder if I still know the ground on which I stand. People around me have unfathomable secrets, more of them than an average person.
“But that’s different. You have no idea how powerful he is, do you?”
My grip around J’s arm tightens. I’m surprised he even found out about us as well.
“Do you know those two?” He nods his head toward the twins.
“Not yet, no.”
“They’re Brandon’s eyes. They tend to know everything.”
“But I thought that was you. Brandon’s eyes, I mean.”
“Yes, hereI almost laughed. “But that’s it. I’m not part of the elite.”
“Your boyfriend is.”
I cringe. In fright, maybe? Did Brandon ask them to background-check me? Without even telling me? Then, yes, I probably do have to sit in with them. My head is functioning properly, and my stomach is well-fed; I’m slightly nervous, but I guess I’ll be fine.
But what is the extent of their knowledge about me? Though I still believe no one knows much about my past with the devil. No one knows about the details except for Jason, Arianna, and Chris.
“Alayna?” Brandon calls, and all eyes turn to me. “Come.”
I walk over to Brandon, and he takes my hand, entwining his fingers with mine.
We first head into his home office, where he asks me to settle in front of the fireplace. I kind of need extra heat tonight because aside from the impending December snowfall, I can feel the eyes of the twins glued to me.
“She is pretty. I always wondered why our cousins are smitten,” Carmelo, the man in the black shirt, says to his brother.
Constantine, the one wearing glasses, rolls his eyes. “I told you to keep it down tonight, Cary. I’m sorry about that. Alayna, right?”
I nod simply. “It’s fine.”
“Ah! There she is!” Carmelo averts his eyes to the door as Pauline, Cassius, and Casey enter. Brandon instructs Pauline to sit with us, then calls his cousins to his desk and speaks with them.
“Pauline.” Constantine approaches her when they are done talking to Brandon; he welcomes her with kisses on both cheeks, the gesture is repeated by his brother.
“Stan! Cary! It’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too. You look exquisite as always, but stressed? Come sit with us.” The twins give Pauline a space between them, and she slumps there.
“Thank you! I’m still getting by,” she says.
“Cassius! Sorry about the penthouse, man!” Carmelo says.
“Clean up your shit, or you’re out,” Cassius warns, pointing a finger.
Their conversation continues about things going on in Athens that I don’t understand.
I clench my jaw in annoyance. I don’t notice I’ve unwittingly grabbed on to Jason’s forearm as he sits on the armchair beside me until he responds to my squeeze.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.” I’m not.
“Very well.” Brandon finally joins us and takes the seat to my left.
Casey stands behind me, looks up at Jason, and gives him a nod. I remembered how shocked she was when she saw him, but probably because she knows about him too. She then sends me a reassuring smile. Cassius, as usual, settles by the fireplace.
Silence envelops us for a short moment until Brandon clears his throat. “Good. Everyone is here. Let’s get started.”
Everyone remains silent.
“I spoke to Jason, and we are close to finding Oliver. We need to be smart because Silvanus is someone we shouldn’t take lightly. He probably knows our approach, so we planned something else to lure him out. Arianna, Jason’s sister, is going to an auction that we expect Silvanus to attend. She will be our eyes and ears.”
So that’s it. Arianna has a role here too, but that’s not a surprise. She’s braver than I am in any aspect, and I’m proud of her too. Though this idea is fresh for me. I didn’t know she worked for Brandon up to this point.
“But is it safe?” I ask.
“She’ll be fine,” Brandon says. “I promise.”
I glance up at Jason, and he gives me a wink and my shoulder a squeeze.
“When is this auction?” Cassius asks.
“Tomorrow at seven at the Le Fiasco.” Jason is the one who replies this time. “I will be there, but since we are working in low profile, only Arianna can go inside, and we wait.”
“Sending only one person and a woman? How can we make sure she won’t flop?” Carmelo asks.
“She won’t,” Jason assures him.
“And after that, what will happen? How can we find Oliver that way?” Casey asks.
“We won’t find him that“What bargain?” I ask.
“The message we got before. He wants Pauline, and he’ll give Oliver back.”
“You will still send me to him?” Pauline’s tone rises.
“No, we will make him thinkSilence.
“Okay. What should I do?” Pauline says.
“You will speak to him.”
“Speak to him how? I won’t face him. Other than that, he kept the communication one-sided,” she complains.
Jason takes out a device that seems to be an old cellphone model in a plastic pouch and hands it to Brandon. Brandon places it on the center table.
“Arianna will make sure this thing is delivered to Silvanus,” he continues.
“Hold on,” I interrupt. “Did you mean my sister—I mean, Arianna will have to interact with him?”
“Yes, Alayna,” Brandon replies.
“Face to face?”
“Yes.”
“But that man is dangerous!” Of course, he is. He beat Pauline, tried to kidnap me, and abducted Oliver. I look up at Jason. “J, you’re okay with this?”
“Believe me, Laynie, Arianna is the only person who can do this. She knows what she’s doing, and she volunteered,” Jason tells me softly.
I swallow dryly. “She did?”
“Yes, so don’t worry about her.”
I bite my lip nervously, and my cold palms turn numb. I’m starting to wonder what really happened to them when they left Lawrence. How did they end up doing this job? What drove them to take this path?
“You’re only saying that. I’m worried, and you can’t blame me. I just found both of you, J.”
He blows a sigh and touches my shoulder. “I know, but we’re together again, okay? You have nothing to worry about.”
Pauline clears her throat. “Okay, fine. We will lure Silvanus, this Arianna or whoever, approaches him, and I will talk to him. What will I say?”
“You probably know him better than anyone in this room. Make him listen, make him believe you; I’m certain he will because it’s youI briefly close my eyes and hold Jason’s hand on my shoulder. I want to ask Brandon so many questions. I want to tell him how dangerous their actions will be, but this is Oliver we’re talking about. And they seem to have planned this thoroughly because every detail has been discussed in a smooth and serious manner. Who am I to question that, when all I can do to help Oliver, for now, is wait? He is the one who looked after me when Brandon was away, the one who listened, the one who made my every agony bearable. So I have no right to express any doubt. We need Ollie in our lives. And Brandon will do anything at any cost to get him back.
“For now, we will wait. The rest will be up to your sister.” Brandon glances at Jason, and my brother gives him a nod.
“Roger,” Jason confirms.
“Now, let’s get to our other business,” Brandon proceeds, but he springs up and strides to his desk. “Though should I ask everyone to leave except for the twins, Alayna and Jason.”
The other three steal glances at each other, though I stop at Pauline’s annoyed face. Her eyebrows crease and her mouth pouts. Eventually, she rolls her eyes and marches to the door. Why is she still playing the bitch? All these plans are in her favor. In fact, she has a greater chance to be saved from Silvanus’s harmful hands than Oliver does. She can roam around here safely while Oliver is out there somewhere, battling for his life, probably. Pauline marches out of the office, and Cassius and Casey follow, but my best friend shoots me a concerned look before exiting.
Two maids enter shortly, holding a tray of empty liquor glasses, an ice bucket, and a bottle of Balvenie. They quietly pour the drinks.
One of the twins throws ice on the glass and picks it up. “Thank you.”
“I’ll pass,” Constantine says.
Brandon takes one for him and hands one to Jason.
“Thanks,” Jason replies.
“So we’re suddenly having a scotch party?” I joke.
Brandon takes another glass and offers it to me. “Try it.”
I take the glass and sniff the content. I’m not new at tasting all kinds of alcoholic beverages and cocktails. And this one smells fruity and floral, lusciously intermingled with oak. I press my lip on the glass and taste it.
“Mm.” I swallow the liquid. “Smooth and sweet. I like it.”
He smirks. “That’s fifty-year-old liquor.”
I glance up at Jason, and he shrugs.
“So, what other business should we talk about that I needed to stay for?” I ask.
“I told you we’d talk, didn’t I?” Brandon gulps his scotch straight and puts down the glass to pour another shot.
“Okay?”
“I suppose I didn’t introduce you properly,” he begins. “Carmelo and Constantine are my cousins, who are handling my mother and sister’s case. They know a few details about your connection with Annette.”
So this talk is about Lucia. I drain my drink as well. “Yes, you had them look up things about me without my permission. And?”
He sighs deeply. “They found something that might help us move the case further,” he says but manages to keep his composure. “Stan, if you please...”
“Very well.” Constantine shifts his body so he is facing me. “We found records about you and how you became acquainted with Annette or the person you know as Lucia Moretti, but that is common knowledge. We already knew about that until we found out you briefly lived with her, under the same roof, in Venice.”
“Yes.” I glance at Brandon. I don’t remember telling him this part. “Yes, I did. It was before the holidays and after. But is this important?”
“It is, Miss Hart. Because we need to know everything about Lucia,” Constantine says.
“But I already told you everything. I gave you her details and address. What else do you need?”
“Except that you probably missed one,” the other twin says.
“Alayna,” Brandon says in a soothing tone, “I heard Annette wasn’t living alone when she was in Venice.”
“But she was. Although there’s a time when I—” I stop and look at him with wide eyes. “No.”
I know what he is pointing out. I remember.
“No, no, no. Let’s not go into that.”
“So you understand what we’re talking about.”
Yes, because they’re talking about Lucia’s family. There was a time when her husband and son stayed with us, but it isn’t my place to talk about that. Her family has nothing to do with any of this. Lucia might be their suspect, but her family should not be. I saw them and lived with them. They’re kind, and they were happy. What they have is a home. A real home. I know that myself because I have one. Their family was as happy and content as mine. And I’m not going to be the one to destroy that just because my boyfriend is seeking revenge.
I shake my head. “No. I’m not saying anything about that. That is not a part of our deal.”
“Laynie,” Jason says softly as he bends down in front of me. “The information you hold might be the key for all of us to proceed—to end this whole thing. What are you afraid of?”
My lips tremble. “I just can’t. I already gave you the only information you need, and that’s all I’m going to say.”
“He could be my father,” Brandon snaps, and my heart halts a beat. “The man she was with could be my father.”
His father? I did hear that Lucia was Brandon’s dad’s mistress, but I know his father’s name, and that man with Lucia was not William Lucien.
“Laynie.” Jason cups my face. “Please. What are you afraid of?”
I shake my head, on the verge of crying. “They have nothing to do with it.” I gaze up at Brandon. “And it’s certainly not your dad. I’m sure of it.”
Brandon’s face falls, and his jaw clenches.
“We won’t harm anyone innocent; that’s a promise. But what if they’re not?” Jason says.
“But they are innocent because I know they are!” My voice rises an octave. I bury my face in my hands. “I know“Hey...” Brandon moves over to me and pulls me against him. “Shh... it’s okay. Alayna, baby, you see... We already know about them. My cousins and your brother are helping me find the murderers who slaughtered my family and bring them to justice. Your statement will help us move further. Now, if you can help us in any way, please tell us.”
I shut my eyes, recalling the memory I have of Lucia’s family. I don’t know how Brandon’s dad became her lover, but the old man she introduced to me was her husband and the young one their son, who’s only two years younger than me and lives in London... That’s also another reason why she left Italy; to live with them.
And I found nothing but love in their family. There’s no way they’re accomplices. They probably don’t even know about Lucia’s charade.
“If you know about their existence, why are you still asking me?”
“Because we found nothing else about them, only their existence in Annette’s life,” Constantine answers.
“And if you find them? What does it have to do with all this revenge?” I look back at Brandon.
He runs his fingers over his scalp and springs up briskly. “Everything about Annette has significance to me because she’s not just the woman who taught you how to cook. She’s a Katrakis, and I’m sure you already know that. That woman was there when my family was murdered. She was there when I was tortured. She’s an accomplice. But in case you have forgotten, I almost died, Alayna. I won’t let this go just because my girlfriend is protectingyouI shrink in my seat. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“But that’s exactly what you are doing!” Brandon insists and exhales sharply.
“BrandonI return my brother’s soft gaze.
“I don’t want them to get involved in this mess because I know how it feels like to be entangled in such a situation as this, and they’re innocent,” I say.
Brandon sneers but remains silent.
“We will be the ones to judge that,” Carmelo says seriously. “We only incriminate those who are guilty, and Annette isThere might be someone who can give them such information. Lucia had other students aside from me.
And this was how I met Brandon...
Because of my knowledge of her, he found me. Now, he’s going to look for another person who might be holding the same information. He will still look for his answer even if not from me. Carmelo was right; they are wasting their time on someone who can’t give them the most valuable information. They are willing to invest some time in finding another witness, and I will be useless. Now, what’s the use of me being Brandon’s girlfriend if I can’t support him and get the justice he longs for?
“Wait!” I call out. “Wait...”
“Yes, Laynie?” Jason asks.
“If I tell you, will they be safe?”
“If they’re innocent, they will be,” he assures me.
“Promise me.” I look at their faces, and every face still gives little away. Carmelo flashes a victorious smirk, and I admit that he got me there. Then my eyes stop at my beautiful man. Brandon’s gaze suddenly gleams with hope.
“Yes, I promise,” he says sincerely. “Now tell us who they are.”
“They’re her family...” I bite my lip, still unsure whether I’m doing the right thing. “It’s um, her son, Evan, and her husband.”
“Her husbandI close my eyes again and gather my strength to go further.
“It’s okay. You’re okay...” my brother soothes me.
I nod. “Um, because his name is not William, so I don’t think it was him. It’s Marco,” I reveal. “I assumed his last name was Moretti, but I don’t think it is now since you told me it’s a fake name.”
“Marcus,”The twins glance at each other darkly.
“What the fuck?” Carmelo curses.
“Two birds with one stone,” Constantine remarks and straightens his back. “Looks like our search is over.”
“What? What is it?” I ask.
“Marcus Katrakis,” Jason says. “That’s our guy, Laynie. The real one, at least.”