Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,64

tried to overthrow my father four years ago,” Kristof said, keeping the answers as surface level as he could. None of the history mattered. The Arsenal didn’t need the why behind the facts. “He decided imprisonment was a better punishment, a more painful one.”

“You should’ve told us,” Addy said. “I would’ve helped you free him. We all would’ve helped.”

A couple eyebrows rose, but no one negated her response. His stomach pitched.

“You aren’t sharing anything beyond that,” Jesse said. “Warning. Edge found more. She dug. Deep.”

“I don’t see how any of that matters,” Kristof said. “Not to any of you.”

“It matters,” Edge said, her voice softer than before. “Olaf is the sole survivor, the only son of Kir Sidorav, Kostya’s brother.”

“The one he was rumored to have killed to get control of the syndicate?” Zoey asked.

“Yes,” Kristof said. “That happened twenty-two years ago.” He looked up, at Addy. “Two days before I was taken to the camp.”

“Kristof.” Addy breathed his name. Eyes wide. “That’s why you were there? Did…did you see him kill his brother?”

Kristof nodded. “Uncle Kir and my mother were in love. They had an affair. Father found out and killed them both. He…”

Emotion clogged his throat. He looked down at the floor and willed the silence away. They didn’t need the details. He’d already shared too much.

“He made Kristof watch their executions,” Maksim said.

Shocked, Kristof looked up as Maksim entered the room. “Forgive my truancy. Had I known we were discussing this, I would’ve been here earlier.”

The man moved through the room and sat in front of Kristof. He reached out and took his hand. “I am glad you are safe.”

He nodded. Not trusting his voice, he kept his gaze on the man who’d stood by his side the past two decades.

“Kostya deposited Kristof at the camp to condition him, turn him into what he wanted him to become. A future leader of the Sidorav empire,” Maksim continued. “Perhaps it would’ve worked, but he had his mother’s temperament—one which was strengthened by a young girl he met at the camp.”

“Maksim,” Kristof warned.

“We’ve opened the path. It must all be said now,” the man replied.

“Who the hell are you?” Gage asked.

“I’m the man his father hired to kill him nineteen years ago,” Maksim said. “He was sent from the camp under the guise of taking on his first mission when he was seventeen. I was ordered to terminate him.”

“But you didn’t,” Nolan said.

“He didn’t. He kept me safe. I convinced Father he had my loyalty,” Kristof said.

“Does he?” Marshall asked.

“No.”

“So Olaf tried to overthrow him four years ago,” Zoey said. “Did you help him?”

“No. He was tired of waiting, thought my plan was too slow.”

“There’s a plan?” Edge asked.

They were well aware that there was a plan, one he’d already alluded to.

“Kostya Sidorav’s empire is larger than most small countries,” Maksim said. “A direct strike wouldn’t have achieved anything but Kristof’s death. The plan he created will work. Has worked.”

“We. You strategized more of it than I did,” Kristof said. “I was an angry youth who wanted his death.” Kristof glanced up, into Addy’s stricken face. “That’s why I didn’t return to the camp. I didn’t abandon you there. I intended to tell someone about you, get you out. But…”

“But your father tried to kill you,” Addy said, her face red with anger. “Why the hell didn’t you ever tell me this?”

“You suffered enough at his hands. He may not have been the one who was there, but that place existed because of him. I didn’t want you to see how deep his evil ran because…” Because that evil sired him. “By the time I was in a position to help you out, you’d already been removed and taken to Hive.”

“And Olaf?” Edge asked. “What happened four years ago?”

“He thought we’d weakened Father’s control and finances enough for him to simply kill him outright,” Kristof said. Anger filled his voice. “He was foolishly stubborn.”

“How was imprisonment worse than death?” Beast asked.

Kristof regarded Maksim. The man’s eyes softened as he nodded. Right. They’d gone so far down the road he may as well share what remained. He forced a deep breath.

“Uncle Kir arranged a marriage for Olaf to another syndicate leader’s youngest daughter. Neither Olaf nor the girl had a choice in the matter,” Kristof said, his voice low. “The other syndicate wanted to back out of the arrangement after my uncle’s death, but Father demanded it continue. They agreed as long as the two could meet. They fell in