Kingston shrugged. “What are you expecting to find out from this dude?”
I sighed. “That’s the problem - I don’t know what to expect with this family, not anymore.”
After the revelation that Katya was Nina’s daughter came to light, I expected Dad to drop her lying ass. It shocked me when my dad welcomed Katya with open arms and seemed even more determined to make us into a happy family. Nina discovered yet another way to manipulate my father, and Katya’s presence in the house made Nina even more intolerable.
I couldn’t sit by and idly watch while Nina maneuvered herself into a position to hurt my father. Even worse, Katya seemed designed to be a perfect distraction for all of us. She was sweet and innocent enough for my dad to see her as a daughter. She was bright and curious to tempt him into a teacher role, and she played the role of a hard worker so that he would respect her work ethic. In other words, she had everything that my dad thought Kingston and I lacked.
Something deep down told me that it wasn’t an act on Katya’s part, but that just made me more suspicious. I couldn’t afford to get taken in by her – I had to be objective and unaffected to defend my family.
There was a knock on the door to our hotel suite, and I smiled. It was nice to know that some people in this world were still easily predictable. Kingston sauntered over to the door and flung it open with a flourish.
“Ballerina boy, please, come in and have a seat,” Kingston said with a smirk.
I saw Ryan’s jaw flex in irritation, but he came in anyway. I stood to greet him as Kingston locked the door, sealing us all in here together.
“Ryan,” I said with a smile. “I’m so glad you could join us.”
“How could I resist your generous offer?” A polite smile accompanied his words, but I could see the struggle in him. He was second-guessing his decision to come here today - wondering if he was making a mistake and feeling the guilt eating him up inside. I would have been more concerned if he hadn’t felt any of that - sociopaths were so much more difficult to manipulate.
I waved my hand over to the duffle bag in the loveseat. “The first payment is there, all in small bills like you requested.”
Ryan swallowed nervously but sat. “What is it that you wanted from me?”
“Would you like a drink?” I walked over to the scotch and held up the crystal decanter, but Ryan shook his head no.
I shrugged and poured two glasses, one for me and one for King.
“You grew up here with Katya, and I understand the two of you were very close,” I stated.
“That’s true,” Ryan admitted. “My parents weren’t around a lot, and they didn’t care if Katya’s grandmother watched me on weekdays.” He hesitated. “And most weekends.”
“That’s how you got her?” Kingston asked curiously. “And her grandmother was still cool with you after you started banging her hot granddaughter?”
Ryan looked surprised. “Uhh…”
I leaned forward, interested to see him off balance.
Ryan looked in my direction, then narrowed his eyes. “Katya’s grandmother didn’t know we were together – she just thought we were friends.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Katya must be a good liar.”
Ryan shrugged and avoided my eyes.
He was hiding something, but what? It was time to tighten the screws a little and see what we could get out of him.
I handed Kingston his glass before taking a sip of my own drink. “I’ve noticed that Katya has a major flaw,” I told him. “She doesn’t realize it when the people closest to her don’t have her best interests at heart. She just assumes that they care for her the same way that she cares for them.” I looked him straight in the eye. “Have you noticed that as well?”
Ryan flushed and looked down at the ground. “What makes you say that?” he mumbled.
“I wasn’t completely sure until you showed up here tonight,” I told him coldly. “But I saw the jealousy in your eyes when you looked at her at your dance thing. She was born with the talent that you so desperately want, and then her supermodel mom and billionaire soon-to-be step-dad whisk her off to live a fairytale life? That must have stung.”
Ryan looked up at me with his eyes flashing. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” I looked right into his eyes, but he couldn’t hold my gaze, and his eyes darted off to the side. “She hasn’t even been gone that long, and here you are, sitting on this couch.”
Kingston surprised me when he cut in angrily. “And she has no idea - she thinks you love her.”
I gritted my teeth as I realized the little ballerina had already gotten under King’s skin. If he was feeling soft toward her, I was going to have to put a stop to that quickly. I didn’t want my brother to get attached to her. It didn’t matter how attractive she was.
Ryan, at least, had the grace to look embarrassed at King’s words. “She’ll be fine. She’ll get hired by a company and make soloist in a couple of years, but now she’s never going to have to worry about money again.” His eyes blazed. “But what about me? What about my future?”
“And that’s where we come in,” I said smoothly. “We have the money and connections to make sure your future is bright.” I deepened my voice to convey the threat. “Or we could make it not so bright.”
Ryan flushed again, but this time it was from anger. I sensed I was pushing too hard, so I backed off a little.
“I just want to protect my family and
