Page 12 of Keeping My Enemies Closer: Pt. 2

“So, while I’ve no doubt that the events happened as you described at the hospital, you left out significant details that could help us find these men, and that’s not supposition, Zoya,” Viktor continued.“Now, I’m sure that you had your reasons, and we will get to those soon enough, but right now, you need to tell us what you know about why you and your mother were targeted the way that you were.”

“And...and then what?”she asked tentatively.

Viktor sat up straighter in the chair.“What do you mean?”

“If...if what I tell you helps you find the...the men who did this, what are you going to do?”

Viktor arched a brow before shooting me a look, letting me handle that question.While we both knew the answer, he was leaving it up to me to deliver the disturbing truth because it was me that was going to have to convince her to still marry me after giving her a glimpse of who we really were.

“What do you want to happen?”I asked her.

Zoya’s hazel gaze slid my way.“What?”

“As I’ve stated earlier, you are a Korolev, even if it hasn’t become official yet,” I told her.“And for better or worse, you’ve already experienced what happens when someone betrays our family.We do not take these offenses lightly, Zoya.So, your question isn’t necessary because you already know what we’re going to do, so I am asking you, what doyouwant us to do?”

She looked so broken when she said, “I...I don’t know.I’ve never...that’ll be another death that I’m responsible for-”

“You are not responsible for your mother’s death,” I bit out sternly.“I know you’re feeling raw right now, but sooner or later, you’ll understand that none of this is your fault.”

“You won’t be saying that once I tell you everything,” she replied quietly.

That had me and Viktor sharing an uneasy look.

This was not good.

“Well, how about you tell us what happened, and then we’ll go from there,” I suggested.“Whatever it is, it changes nothing between us,lepestok.Nothing at all.”

She shook her head as she said, “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.”

“Even if it’s drenched in blood, what we have will always be a good thing,” I informed her.

Chapter 7

Zoya~

Truth be told, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get used to Viktor Korolev’s presence, but it was something that I knew I’d never be able to escape, especially if Kasimir was serious about us getting married.Nevertheless, I knew that I couldn’t put it off any longer.