Chapter 92

Third Person POV

Joseph felt like a cornered animal.

Irina had fucked things up beyond repair.

It took a lot to set up that little sob story about Irina’s ‘depression.’ As if a family as old and powerful would ever risk news getting out that could damage their reputation by dropping her off at something as unsecure as a sanatorium. It was a ridiculous idea.

Irina did enjoy her dramatics. Like her older sister. However, Irina did not hold the same finesse and flare as Katya did.

Joseph should never have let her have such control.

‘It’s all that brat’s fault.’ Joseph seethed to himself. ‘If she wanted a knot to hop onto, she should have chosen someone other than my ice block of a brother!’

His ally watched with a half-smile as he paced the room nervously. As unruffled as ever. It only irritated him further.

“Do calm down Joseph.” They said huskily.

“Calm down? Your useless little spy screwed us over.” Joseph retorted bitterly.

“Us?” They repeated. “No…only you.”

Joseph stopped to glare. “You don’t have to sound so amused.” He grumbled.

They only watched with hooded eyes. Joseph felt a tingle of dread. He never should have reached out to this ‘ally.’

“Worst of all, my spy is about to be revealed. If that happens, I will be ruined.” He growls.

His ‘ally’ finally responded.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this. Directly this time.”

He froze. “You can’t mean…”

They nodded confidently.

“It’s as you said. My little spy was useless. If you want things done right…” They trailed off.

A malicious gleam glittered in their catlike eyes.

“Don’t worry. Your little brother will be all too distracted soon to worry about your secrets.” They reassured Joseph.

But a familiar ally of his reassures him that everything will be fine soon…

Lionel’s POV

I am fuming.

Two months had passed since Irina’s insane plot.

It had been rough. The incident had shaken me emotionally more than I thought. I had genuinely cared for Irina as though she was my own little sister.

It made me doubt myself. One thing I had prided myself on was being hypervigilant of the motivations of everyone around me. Rarely had anyone fooled me…not even my own family.

Yet I had completely missed Irina’s less than platonic affections. Or the lengths she would go to get what she wanted. That she would so easily hurt her own blood…

Nan had been my solace in that trying time. Her perspective nature letting her discern any disturbances in my mood. She was always there with compassionate words and quiet, steady support.

The mate bond expert did not have my answers yet. That did not matter to me. I just knew Nan was my fated mate at this point.

She has to be.

I am all too thankful for her presence as Irina’s investigation sheds light to the disgusting vermin lurking in the background.

“But I thought Irina was at the sanitarium.” Nan’s voice questions. Confusion lingering the furrow of her brow.

A bitter scoff escapes me. “So did I.”

I shake my head. “It was all a lie. Apparently, she was never even a patient there.”

“How?” She asks in shock. “She was taking medication…what about her nurses?”

“The pills are real.” I say coldly. “From what I understand, she knew I would have been able to smell it if she did not take the real thing.”

Nan sputters at that. “It’s incredibly stupid and dangerous to take medication you don’t need!” The outrage in her voice makes me smirk.

“Are you that surprised that the same girl who almost killed her nieces and thought I would be with her after that would do such a thing?”

Nan grimaces. “If she wasn’t at the sanitarium…then what was she up to?”

I bare my teeth as the fire building in my chest makes the room a little warmer. “Spying in my company.”

Nan only gapes at me. Speechless at that revelation. I know the feeling.

“She stole company secrets. Committed corporate espionage.” I grit out.

It’s not a good situation. The board was scrambling to find the leaks. To trace her employer.

I had no evidence. Still, I knew who was behind this. Only one person was so bold to pull this off and use those disgusting tactics.

My alpha eyes flashed and my fangs threatened to elongate at the thought of my traitorous brother. The stress of this heated my blood.

How did I not see this coming? I should have known. Even in the days of our marriage…Katya’s family had always been ruthless.

Even to their ‘allies.’

The next few days are hectic and stressful.

I take full control of the internal investigations. Managing every report and pushing my department heads harder and harder. Too upset to take heed of their growing weariness.

I will get every shred of evidence of Joseph’s hand in this. His slimy self will not be able to wiggle out of this mess. He will pay.

The only regret I feel is that my words get sharper. Snappy. Even at home.

I try to curb it when I accidentally speak a little t0o gruff with Vera. Patti’s wide eyes and Vera’s cold ones finally warn me I have gone too far.

It is then that Nan intervenes.

We spend the next few hours with the girls. I teach the girls some cards games. Unsurprisingly, Vera takes to them like a duck to water.

Patti just has a good time, win or lose. Until we introduce the dreaded board game: Empire Stakes. Then the real competition begins.

It’s a night of fun. I finally unwind. Being with my girls was exactly the solution I needed.

The warmth in Nan’s moon-like eyes is all the reward I need. My wolf settles slightly beneath my skin. The fire in my chest gently dies down.

Until the next day.

As I suspected, Joseph’s role is finally discovered.

The evidence is both infuriating and gratifying. Documents, text messages, eyewitness accounts. It’s all there.

Joseph has been using Irina to gather information for his firm. Selling data under the table to boast about his business. Giving back door deals to his clients.

Using Irina as a…commodity. A young teenager. For years.

It’s horrifying. I am nearly dizzy with hatred. Nauseated by disgust.

‘Joseph has to be out down like the beast he is.’ I vow grimly. ‘No more leniency.’

There is only one option left.

“Take all of this evidence to our lawyer.” I order my department head. “Nail him to the wall.”

I see the bloodthirst in their eyes. The stress my selfish siblings has caused these overworked people. They are all too happy to follow this command.

I am left alone in my office. Reeling from the reports. I almost do not notice my door open.

There are quiets footsteps. Light, but assertive. The tap, tap of heels against hard floor.

I pay no mind at first. Many people have been in and out of my office in recent days. Until I realize there is a familiar cadence to these steps.

I sit up straighter. Give more attention. Let my sense reach out.

Their heartbeat is steady. Like the beat of hooves on the earth. The familiarity itches my brain.

I have not yet seen their face. I can only wait. Something about this person rooting me to my seat.

Then their scent reaches me. I tense up in astonishment. It can’t be…I scent the air again.

But it’s the same.

Electric. Intense. Like a tidal wave…ready to drag one under.

I don’t need to see their face before I realize who it is. Yet their face still sends a jolt through me. I have no words for this.

The woman steps forward. A demure, welcoming smile upon her dark red mouth. A tight fitted body suit that someone looks more elegant than trashy as it would on any other.

I take in her high, aristocratic cheek bones. Her glossy, golden hair. The unique, cat-like slant of her eyes.

The amused gleam in them, shining a deep jade with shades of yellow as she took in my gaping face.

She stopped just in front of my desk.

“Hello Lionel.” She greets me lightly.

My mouth feels dry.

“Katya.”