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"I know what you were supposed to do," I say while I keep my eyes on Father. "But I'm telling you what you're going to do. There are Korelovs in that building and they're set to attack us. Intel is good, and this is priority. Move now."

The line goes silent, and then we hear the sound of engines, of men shouting, of doors slamming. Father stares at me, and I see the confusion in his eyes, the dawning realization that I still command enough respect to move mountains under my own authority.

"They're wearing body cams," I say to the council as I walk toward the table and turn my phone around to see what they're doing. Alexei has his phone out too, turning to show my father and Nikolai what’s happening.

The screen flickers to life, and we see exactly what I promised—Sokolov men moving through the streets toward the Korelov stronghold. The camera shakes as they breach the door and stalk through rooms, taking down men who thought they were safe. The Korelovs thought the Sokolovs and Volskayas were too busy destroying each other to notice them circling like sharks.

"Documents," I say into the phone. "Secure the documents, Sergei."

The camera shows a safe being cracked, files being pulled, and then the voice comes back. "Sir. We have plans. The Korelovs were going to bomb Sokolov businesses. They have schematics of three of our buildings."

The room goes silent, and Father stares at Alexei's phone screen. The Korelovs weren't just waiting for us to weaken each other. They were preparing to strike and finish what we started.

"Bring them in," I say, and I end the call.

I turn to the council and see the respect in their eyes now. They know what I just did. I used my brother's intelligence, my remaining contacts, my knowledge of the city, and I stopped an attack that would've crippled Sokolov operations, proving that I still have power and men who will follow my orders over his.

"So you see, gentlemen, I could take control if I want to," I tell them bluntly. "I don't want the power—though it's clearly mine to take, and I'd do a better job than the man who currently holds it." I look at Father, and I see the betrayal in his eyes, understanding dawning that he's lost. "I want my family whole. I want peace to reign. I want this war to end."

Alana comes to stand beside me as I step back from the table and look at the council members. Then Alexei appears at my side, and Natalia too. The four of us stand together, refusing to inherit the war our fathers force upon us.

"What's the point of this display, then?" Petrov asks. "What do you want?"

"I want my family back. And I want you to end this war."

36

ALANA

"The council must confer," Mr. Petrov grumbles with a scowl on his face as he turns to his fellow council members with a gesture. "We need a moment to discuss what we've witnessed here today." I'd like nothing better than to wring his neck and tell him off, but it won't help our cause. The war has been raging this whole time, and the only reason they're even considering our plight is because the four of us stood together.

He rises from his chair, and the other council members follow, moving to the far corner of the room where they huddle together and discuss with quiet voices what they plan to do. The formal acknowledgment hangs in the air. I've finally spoken the truth about Ivan in this room where lies have reigned for five years. With my words and Dimitri's proof, they must decide what justice looks like when both families have contributed to the destruction.

Natalia is antsy, unable to sit still. She crosses to Batya and takes his arm gently. Better her than me. I wouldn't have any nice thing to say to him right now. He owes me more than just an apology, but that would be a good start.

"Come," she says quietly, leading him to the window where they stand in profile with her hand resting on his shoulder as she speaks to him quietly. He's still every bit as angry as he was before, but he knows better than to cause more disruption while the council talks.

I turn to Dimitri and curl into his chest as Alexei approaches his father. Mikhail stares at Alexei's outstretched hand for a long moment before clasping it, and Alexei leads him to the opposite corner where they speak in hushed tones. It appears Dimitri's brother is having an easier go at calming their father than Natalia is having with mine, but the fact that they're both in this room without killing each other is miraculous progress, even if the council doesn't hear our plight.

Dimitri holds me close to his chest, his chin resting on top of my head. A year ago, I never thought we'd be so bold as to show this display of affection in front of our families. Time has passed, though, and things have changed.

"You were brave," he whispers. "I'm so proud of you."

I cling to him, feeling like I need to anchor myself. "I don't feel brave," I say, but my voice is muffled as I speak into his chest. "I feel like a monster. The betrayal in my father's eyes is just⁠—"

"You're not a monster," he says, and he pulls back just enough to look at me, his hands framing my face. "You're setting the balance right, Alana. He betrayed you. You are standing up for yourself, okay?" His gaze darts around my face, and I want to feel comforted by this, but all I feel is that I've failed my family by speaking up.

I search his eyes, looking for the reassurance I don't feel. "What if they don't do the right thing?" I ask as uncertainty creeps in. The council could decide that Ivan's attack happened too long ago and that our fathers must figure it out on their own. They might even profit from letting our families destroy each other and fall apart.

"I don’t think that's gonna happen," he says, and his thumb traces my cheekbone. "They're good men, albeit a little stubborn and blind. Maybe they have their reasons for allowing our families to tear each other apart, but with us standing up to them, they'll do the right thing. I know it."

I want to believe him, but it's been so long since this fighting started and so much has happened. "My father is going to hate me. How do I look him in the eye every day and⁠—"

"You don't have to look at him every day," Dimitri says. "You don't have to forgive him today, or tomorrow, or next year. Forgiveness takes time, and nobody gets to rush you through it. The truth is out now and nobody can negate your experience or invalidate your response. Okay? We're healing."

He kisses my forehead gently as I close my eyes and try to imagine a life where my family is whole. I don't know how to make that happen any more than I did two years ago, or four years ago. My father ignored my pain and pushed forward with his greed for power and money in an open act of betrayal. How am I supposed to forgive that so my son can know his grandfather?

When I pull away, Batya stands there with Natalia. Her face looks hopeful, but my gut churns. I'm too angry to do this right now, and nothing good will come out of his mouth. If it does, I know it's not sincere, but I listen to him patiently the way he listened to me as I spoke to the council.