Instead, it felt like Damien was the one laying bait.
Silence stretched, enough for Damien to see if Volkov would twitch—or betray even the slightest crack.
Then Volkov laughed again, lighter this time.
“You give yourself too much credit. It was a coincidence.”
“Was it?” Damien asked softly.
No accusation.
No denial.
Just interest.
The kind that made men reconsider their answers.
“I didn’t even know he existed until one of my men mentioned it,” Volkov said lightly. “No need to read too much into it.”
A pause stretched between them, thick and tense.
“Hmm… I see,” Damien murmured, faint amusement brushing his tone. “I’m beginning to think you’re a little too invested in this… odd new acquisition of yours.”
Volkov let out a dry chuckle.
“Ah. Merely a strategic purchase. The previ
