Where the Sun Hides (Seasons of Betrayal #1) (8 page)

Kaz would have expected Alberto to be a little more
responsible than that … but it wasn’t his business.

His father’s warning rang in his head, he could even hear
the way the man’s voice would lower an octave as he told him exactly what
not
to do, and Kaz could have heeded it. He could have ignored her, stayed where he
was and finished perusing the selections. Or even left and came back another
time—as his father probably would have wanted him to do—but where was the fun
in that?

“Rus, I’ll see you in an hour.”

Kaz didn’t wait for a response, hanging up before his
brother could get another word in, tucking his phone away. Undoubtedly, he
would be hearing about that later, but for the time being, he put it out of his
mind.

Abandoning his current selections, Kaz headed directly for
her, not hesitating in the slightest. There was a moment, right before he was
in her space, right before she could turn and see him approaching, that he
could have walked away. No one would know he had almost approached her—that
would’ve just been his little secret—but for reasons he wasn’t yet ready to
consider, he didn’t stop himself.

She was too busy eyeing a red number to notice that he was
behind her.

“Which do you prefer?” Kaz asked.

Violet jumped, spinning around to face him, eyes gone wide
as though she couldn’t believe he was standing there. Her gaze skirted past
him, looking around as though she were expecting someone else to walk up behind
him.

“Just me,” he said, answering her unspoken question. “Or
were you expecting someone else?”

She seemed flustered for a second and he wondered whether
she would continue to speak with him, or if she would run away as she probably
should. At the very least, she would wonder what his intentions were, but even
he didn’t have an answer to that.

Schooling her expression, she stood a little straighter,
brushing her hair over her shoulder. Ah, and there it was, the steely backbone
of a woman who knew she had nothing to fear.

How very wrong she was …

“What?”

“What was it about what I said that was unclear?” he asked,
waiting to see the fire in her eyes—she didn’t disappoint.

“You asked which do I prefer. Of what?”

He gestured with a lift of his finger to the store around
him. “All of it.”

Violet’s eyes drifted over him from head to toe, unabashed
in her study of him. Anyone else might have been uncomfortable under her
scrutiny, but he stood his ground. “I doubt you’ll find something in your
size.”

“Fair enough, but it wouldn’t be for me. It’s a gift.”

Her lips turned down as a coldness seemed to wash over her.
“Oh?”

He nodded. “Two, in fact.”

Kaz could tell from her expression that she thought the
gifts would be for women in his life, girlfriends maybe, and it wasn’t like he
hadn’t offered that impression. He’d wanted to see her reaction to that … and
it looked like Violet wasn’t as immune to him as she pretended to be.

“I’m sure someone that works here would be willing to help
you.”

The subtle edge to her voice made him smile. “Undoubtedly,
but I suspect you have a far better fashion sense than the lot of them,
considering who your mother is.”

At the reminder that he knew more about her than she
probably knew about him, she took a step back, her gaze darting to the
entrance. “I should go.”

She’d only taken a step before he was calling out to her.
He should have let her leave, it would have been the right thing to do, but he
wasn’t ready to walk away yet.

“My sisters. They turned sixteen today.” That information
wouldn’t be hard to find out should she have asked anyone else, so he didn’t
find it imperative to keep it a secret. “They asked for something from here,
but as you can see, I’m ill-equipped to pick something out for them.”

“I’m not sixteen,” she returned with a lift of her brow.

“No,” Kaz said, his lips curling up in one corner. “You’re
definitely not that, but you were once.”

Now it was his turn to drink her in. She wasn’t wearing a
dress that conformed to her curves like that night, but she was wearing skinny
jeans that molded to shapely legs, and a cream-colored blouse that dipped in
the middle to reveal a tantalizing view of her breasts. Even though it was her,
or maybe even
because
it was her, Kaz felt a stirring of lust.

“Fine. Have you anything to go on? Did they say what they
wanted?”

“Lady’s choice.”

Violet chewed on her lip for a moment, like she was
contemplating whether to go through with this. After all, she would be actively
engaging with him as opposed to it being forced on her.

Ultimately, she agreed, nodding once, just the slightest
tilt to her head, before she was moving quickly through the racks. Though, she
did keep a sizable distance between them. After asking for their sizes—he’d had
to check his phone for an answer—she was silent as she picked up an assortment
of dresses, skirts, blouses, putting some back, eyeing others, and those she
deemed worthy, she handed to him.

By the time she finished, they had gone through nearly
every garment in the place and his arms were laden with items. Even Kaz, whose
wardrobe was arguably large, was a bit surprised by how much she had chosen.

“This is a bit much, no?”

To that, she gave him a sparkling, if not sarcastic, smile
and waved his words away. “A girl only turns sixteen once, right?”

While he took his items to the register, setting them on
the counter and picking out a number of gift boxes that were complementary with
any purchase, Kaz looked back to where Violet had disappeared to. She was still
looking at the red dress from earlier, but now she was comparing it to another
that wasn’t nearly as nice.

“Sir? We can have someone bring your purchases to your car,
if you would like,” the sales associate offered politely, drawing his attention
back to her.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

When it was all rang up and carefully placed in boxes, Kaz
paid, gesturing for the man that was now carrying them to follow behind. Before
leaving, however, he stopped at the last moment and went back over to Violet.
And this time, she was all too aware of his presence as she turned before
he even got close.

“Is there something
else
I can help you with?” she
asked, almost like she was wary that his answer might be yes.

He gestured to the dresses she held. “The red one, I like
it.”

Violet looked down, almost like she was surprised to find
the dresses there, or maybe surprised that he had noticed in the first place.
She sounded almost wistful as she said, “Yeah, I like it too.” Even as she said
the words, however, she hung it back up. “But no one can look better than my
mother at her own event.”

That might have been the stupidest shit he had ever heard,
but he wouldn’t tell her that. Without thinking, he took a step closer, taking
her hand into his own as he lifted it to his lips, brushing a lingering kiss to
her knuckles.

“You can’t help that though, can you?”

Her lips parted, her gaze shooting up to his own. It was
there, if only for a moment, the naked desire she couldn’t quite hide. Maybe he
was playing with fire, but for once, he didn’t care.

“
Spasibo—
thank you,” he said finally releasing her.
“For everything.”

He left her there, going back out to his car, tipping the
man as he carefully arranged the gifts in his passenger seat. Ultimately, they
would have to be moved once he picked up Ruslan, but he didn’t think about that
for the time being.

His thoughts were on Violet and the way her skin felt
against his own.

U
nlike Kaz who had an
apartment right in the heart of Little Odessa, Ruslan liked his privacy, taking
up residence in one of the row-style houses on the outskirts. Though it was
older, he had made repairs—the roof, the fence surrounding the property, and a
new paint job—and took meticulous care of it so that it didn’t look its age.
Though their father would not step a foot inside—it wasn’t up to his
standards—Ruslan loved the place.

Pulling up outside, Kaz parked alongside the curb, laying
on the horn as soon as his foot hit the brake. Since his brother always
insisted he call to announce his presence—as opposed to coming straight up to
the door—Kaz elected to ignore that decision and do what he wanted, even as he
respected Ruslan’s request.

It was the little things, Kaz thought as Ruslan swung open
the door, flipping him off before disappearing back inside.

Five minutes later, he was back, dressed quite similarly to
Kaz, though his suit was navy with a crisp, white shirt. This wasn’t out of the
ordinary for the oldest Markovic, but Kaz could tell that he’d put in an extra
effort with his appearance.

“You said an hour,” Ruslan commented as he folded his big
body into the car. “And you couldn’t drive your Range Rover today?”

Though Kaz had customized the car, paying far more than any
rational person would to make sure it would fit his impressive height, Ruslan
still barely fit.

“What? I love this car.”

Though his eyes were shielded by a pair of sunglasses, Kaz
could practically feel Ruslan’s eye roll as he looked out the window.

“Yeah, the whole world fucking knows it, too.”

“Someone’s in a surly mood … Didn’t get any last night?”
Kaz was smiling, oblivious to the glare Ruslan was shooting in his direction.
“I’ve been meaning to ask, how does that wor—”

Before Kaz could even get the question out, Ruslan slammed
a meaty fist into his shoulder, making Kaz bark out a laugh, even as he quickly
straightened the wheel when they nearly swerved into the next lane.

“Are you trying to kill us?” he shot in Ruslan’s direction,
still fighting a smile.

“Just you.”

Kaz shrugged, unbothered. “At least you’re honest.”

“No, but seriously. Where the hell were you? You’re never
late.”

The last thing he felt like doing was explaining to his
brother who he had run into at the boutique—and more, that he had even
talked to her—especially after having Vasily on his ass about it. Ruslan
wouldn’t usually care who Kaz talked to, but if it was somebody like Violet
Gallucci—
especially
because it was Violet Gallucci—he wouldn’t bite his
tongue.

“Had to get the twins’ their gifts. Just took longer than I
thought.” One thing Kaz wouldn’t do was lie—he didn’t believe in it, but he
could omit parts.

“Yeah, right.” Ruslan might not have believed him, but he
didn’t pry. “Tell me … What’s the likelihood that the day won’t fall to shit
because of this party?”

Turning on Oceana drive, knowing they were only about ten
minutes from the place they both rarely enjoyed going back to, Kaz shook his
head. “We’re not even on the scale.”

Unlike the rest of the guests that were steered around to
the back of the mansion from the driveway, Kaz and Ruslan went through the
house instead, knowing that Irina would be in the kitchen. If they could put
off seeing their father for as long as possible, they would.

There were decorations all around, balloons and glittery
things that made the space look more like a family lived there instead of a showroom.
Sure enough, Irina was in the kitchen, overlooking the caterers as they plated
food and put the finishing touches on a massive birthday cake with a candle
depicting 16 resting at the top. She was just about to give instructions to a
girl holding a platter of shrimp when she caught sight of her sons.

And more importantly, Ruslan.

Irina didn’t even bother to finish her request before she
was crossing the floor and pulling Ruslan into a tight hug. Kaz didn’t mind
that the attention wasn’t on him. After all, he’d seen her two weeks prior, and
Ruslan … he couldn’t remember the last time Ruslan had seen their mother.

“I’m so happy you could make it.” Pulling back after a
moment, she touched his face in motherly affection, looking him over for any
changes since the last time she’d seen him. “You look thinner. Are you eating?”

Only Irina would be able to notice that Ruslan’s massive
size was
smaller
.

“I’m fine, Mama.”

“What are you eating? You can’t just eat at that club of
yours,
syn
.”

When she called him ‘son,’ Ruslan smiled, soft and
fleeting. “It’s not so bad.”

“Nonsense. I’ll make you something before you go.”

“Where’s Vasily?” Kaz asked, butting into their
conversation.

Irina frowned, her joy at seeing Ruslan deflating like a
balloon. “Out back entertaining.”

Giving Ruslan a pointed look, Kaz said, “I’ll go and
speak.”

At least then his brother would have more time with Irina.

Clapping Ruslan on the shoulder and kissing Irina’s cheek,
Kaz headed out the back, scanning the crowd below from his position on the
deck. He could spot the twins with ease as they were at the center of a group
of girls, huddled together as they talked. Parents mingled, most with drinks in
hand, and on the outskirts of it all was a number of Vasily’s men. They were
careful to be present, but unseen.

It was what they were good at.

And off to the side, smoking a Cuban was Vasily, holding
court amongst a group of men as though he were the king of them all. In his
head, he probably was.

On his way down, Kaz ran into the one person he wasn’t
expecting to see.

Older than him by a year, Vera was the sibling he was
closest to since they were so close in age. She looked like a younger version
of their mother, though she did have Vasily’s eyes. Most confused them for
twins.

Unlike Kaz and Ruslan, who were deeply involved in the
life, Vera wanted no part of it. And the day after she turned eighteen, she had
moved out and put as much distance between her and Vasily as possible. The only
time she came around was during holidays and birthdays. Otherwise, he went to
her.

Vera might have looked annoyed as she came up the
stairs—though this was just what she looked like—but she smiled when she
noticed Kaz. “I’m surprised you didn’t forget about today, Kaz.”

He had … but he wasn’t going to tell her that. “How’s my
favorite sister?”

“As well as to be expected, considering present company.”

While Kaz didn’t have the best of relationships with
Vasily, Vera and Ruslan’s was worse—the second by his own actions, and the
former because Vera just downright loathed the man. Sometimes Kaz thought he
understood why, it wasn’t like they had the best of childhoods, but other
times, Kaz didn’t think he knew the gravity of Vera’s hatred for their father.

“And your business?” he asked.

Vera had started an interior design business, and was quite
successful. “Everything’s good. How are
you
? Mama says you might have
gotten into trouble …”

While Irina wouldn’t ask, Vera would. “It was nothing.”

Though it was starting to seem like it was something …

“Be careful, Kaz,” she said, lowering her voice. “Don’t
give him a reason.”

Kaz inclined his head, the only response he was willing to
give to that. “Rus is inside,” he said instead. “He’ll be happy to see you.”

Vera knew exactly what Kaz was saying as they both looked
over in Vasily’s direction, whose attention was on them. “Right. We’ll catch up
later, Kaz.”

She was gone in a flurry of maroon, leaving Kaz to start
across the yard toward his father. He didn’t immediately recognize a few of the
men standing around Vasily, but his father didn’t waste a second in introducing
him. Kaz nodded, the most he ever did when around people he didn’t know.

If he didn’t know them, he didn’t trust them.

That was how he’d stayed alive this long.

“You’re late,” Vasily said after he’d excused them, and
they stepped off to the side. “You know better.”

“I had to buy birthday presents,” Kaz said by way of
explanation.

Vasily was quiet for a moment. “And is that the only
reason?”

Kaz knew what he was really asking—whether it was somehow
Ruslan’s fault that they were tardy, and he was merely covering for his
brother. It wouldn’t be the first time he had, and probably wouldn’t be the
last, but on this particular instance, Ruslan wasn’t to blame.

“It’s a nice day,” Kaz said gesturing out with an arm
around them, a smile lighting up his face in case any others were observing
their conversation. “Let’s act like it, yes?”

While Vasily might not have liked Kaz’s words, judging from
the scowl on his face, he wouldn’t call him on it. Not today. “Have you been
doing what I asked, regarding that girl?”

How long had Kaz gone without any mention of Violet, but
now it seemed like she was brought up every chance Vasily got. If he was meant
to forget about her, pretend like she didn’t exist, that was hard to do when he
was reminded of her often.

“Of course,” Kaz answered easily.

It wasn’t a lie, not really. He hadn’t expected to see her
that morning, so he wasn’t seeking her out. That had to count for something.

Vasily looked skeptical, but ultimately accepted his words.
Changing the subject, he said, “Don’t forget tomorrow.”

On the third Tuesday of every month, there was a meeting
between Vasily, and the higher-ranking members of the
Bratva
, their
tribute of sorts, where money changed hands and any concerns were addressed. If
there was one thing Kaz wouldn’t forget, it was the meeting. Attendance was mandatory,
and only once had he seen what happened when you were late—that man still had a
limp.

“No worries. We’ll be there.”

It didn’t matter that Vasily and Ruslan were at odds.
Ruslan was still expected to show.

“Rus! You made it!”

Kaz turned just in time to see Nika hurrying across the
backyard, throwing herself at Ruslan as he stepped down to their level. Vera
was right behind him, along with Irina, and a number of caterers that were
bringing out the last of the food.

In a way, Ruslan had come out prepared with his own little
army.

Vasily wouldn’t cause a scene, not with the number of
people at the party, and especially not with Irina, the twins, and Vera in
attendance—he saved his savagery for when they weren’t around.

Dina was right behind her sister, barreling into Ruslan as
he caught them easily, his lips moving, though Kaz couldn’t make out what he
was saying.

Vasily’s scowl grew worse as he looked over at his eldest
son, and with fire in his eyes, he took a step in their direction, as though he
meant to pull them apart if he had to.

“Ah, I wouldn’t do that,” Kaz said easily, not taking his
eyes off his siblings.