~ALEXANDRO'S POV~

"Viktor Kuznetsov," Leonardo said. "Your father... he's gone crazy, Alex."

The name hung in the air between us, heavy with decades of secrets and lies. My grip tightened on the gun, though I'd lowered it from Leonardo's direction.

"Get out," I told Lauren, not turning to look at her. I couldn't bear to see the questions in her eyes...questions I wasn't ready to answer.

"Alexandro..." she began.

"Now," I cut her off, my voice harsher than I intended. "Get dressed and wait in the living room."

I heard the rustle of sheets as she slipped from the bed, followed by the soft sounds of her collecting her clothes....