“And I guess you’re not going to divulge the names?”

“I’m afraid my birds aren’t that talkative.”

More like he is not that talkative. He’s keeping his cards to himself and won’t reveal them unless he deems it necessary. “Why are you telling me this?”

“You seem quite stressed about this situation, and I don’t like my partners stressed. See, that takes away from their efficiency.”

I raise a brow. “Am I supposed to take that as a jab or a compliment?”

“I prefer the latter. I don’t mean to offend you.”

“Then there’s no offense taken.”

“Good, good.” He savors his tea. “Now to the reason I’m here.”

I place one leg over the other, getting comfortable. “Pray tell.”

“Are you going to sell me more shares at a price fit for partners?”

The clever jerk. Kai knows V Corp’s net profit will keep on rising, and he’s one hundred percent behind profit. He will keep his octopus hands around us as long as it keeps doubling and tripling his initial investment.

“I would love to, but I Igor mentioned that you’re not very sure about our partnership. I heard the meeting with Abe didn’t go so well.”

“Yes, that. He came to ask us for help, but we don’t offer help. We believe partners benefit each other. In a partnership, you give as much as you take.”

“Does this mean if I give you a profitable price, you will send your men over?”

He takes a sip of his tea before his sharp, dark eyes meet mine. “This means it’ll be a good start of a partnership.”

“And you’ll personally see to it?”

“Definitely.”

That’s a good sign, because even though Abe, the head of the Yakuza, isn’t open-minded, he listens to Kai. Not only is he the second man in command, he’s also quite cunning.

“In that case.” I raise my coffee mug. “I’ll ask my secretary to send you some drafts.”

“I will be waiting.”

The door opens and I grit my teeth. The only people who would barge in like that are either one of the elite group or Sergei. Since my granduncle has an appointment with a doctor today, my options are narrowed down.

Sure enough, Vlad saunters in, eyes flaming and face tightened in a permanent scowl. Of course. It was only a matter of time before he followed.

Kai smiles at him. “Vladimir, long time no see.”

“Kai.” Vlad greets back, barely tipping his head in the Japanese’s direction.

He looks like a man on a mission and in no mood for small talk. Not that he ever is.

Kai’s smile remains in place as he stands up and buttons his jacket, then shakes my hand. “I’ll be in touch.”

“Looking forward to it.”

His hand remains in mine for a second too long. “Before I go, may I give you a piece of advice?”

“Yes, of course.”

“History does repeat itself, so you might want to look closely at that.”

And with that, Kai releases my hand and steps out of the office.

As soon as the door closes behind him, Vlad is in my face. “Why the fuck did you let him escape?”

I sit down and continue drinking from my coffee even though it’s turned cold. “Because he was useless.”

“Useless? You had to feign amnesia for useless?”

“I overestimated the information he has. Turns out it holds no value to us.”

“We get to decide that after we torture him. Besides, since he obviously kept things from the Vory, he deserves death.”

That asshole has too many enemies to count. Vlad would be the first person to shoot Kyle in the face if he got the chance. Damien, Mikhail, and even Kirill would follow. None of them actually like him because he rose in the ranks so fast and didn’t work hard enough like the rest of them.

And while Kyle’s sin—the fact that he plotted the brotherhood’s demise—is punishable by the worst form of death, I just couldn’t do it or let anyone else do it for me.

The breaking of my heart that I heard earlier is still resonating in my chest like an echo. Even though I tried to ignore it during the afternoon, now all I want to do is curl up in a ball in a dark place and stay there.

“Just let him go, Vlad.”

“I can’t just let the motherfucker go. He needs to pay in blood.”

“Have you forgotten that he’s still my husband?”

“That doesn’t make him untouchable.”

“No, but if everyone else finds out he’s a traitor, it’ll reflect badly on me. Kirill and Mikhail are already plotting my fall, and if I give them this chance, they won’t hesitate to chop my head off. So…just let it go. For my sake, Vlad.”

His lips twist and I’m sure he has a thousand objections, but I played the card he can’t refuse—me. It’s a low blow, but it was the only way he’d ever agree. Besides, none of what I said is a lie.

“Fine, but if he shows up again, I’ll fucking murder him.”

“If he shows up again, I’ll do it myself.”

Vlad gives me an undecipherable glance as if he doesn’t believe me, but leaves it at that.

I leave work late and barely check on Anastasia before my numb feet lead me to my room.

When I open the door, the first thing that hits me is his distinctive scent, and I hate that. I hate that his presence is a breathing being in every corner of the room.

It’s not only about his jacket that’s casually flung on the chair or the masculine traces he left behind. That’s only the beginning of it, because everything in this place reminds me of him.

It reminds me of how he sneaks up on me from behind and picks me up just so he can fuck me on the bed.

Or when I wake up to him either spooning me from behind or eating me out until I scream.

Or when we wrestle to see who gets the upper hand and I end up losing—mostly on purpose—just so he’ll fuck me roughly.

Or when he thrusts toys into me, his gleaming eyes never leaving mine, because we both love the depravity of it.

It hasn’t been a long marriage, but he’s became such an inseparable part of my life. Now that he’s gone, I have no clue how the hell I am going to pick up the pieces.

I wish I really had amnesia so all of this would be easier.