I debate whether I should shield Tessa from whatever this is. Shutting her out would be easier, but I can’t ask her to join me in this clusterfuck of a life and not actually let her partake in it. “I’m good.”
As the words leave my mouth, ghost sounds and an eerie laugh bellow around us.
Liam hums. “You sure you’re okay, man?”
“Yep. I’m in an empty haunted house.”
“And that makes perfect sense.” He snickers. “The beginning of the call had interference we couldn’t clear. First voice you hear is Dimitri Makarov; second is Vincent Lund.”
It only takes about three seconds before he plays the recording.
“And I’m telling you that your grandson was the last person to see my Niko alive. If he didn’t do it, it’s on you to figure out who did. Produce the culprit, or we will determine the guilt to lie with your grandson. Andallassociated with him.” That’s a death threat against the entire Lund family.
“I still think it could be—”
Makarov cuts off Lund’s excuse. “You said he was too flippant to be a suspect, that he had someone under the desk.”
Tess and I both inhale sharply.
“You know them,” Lund presses out of desperation. “The arrogance. That could be part of their game.”
Makarov scoffs. “You’ll need a motive for that level of accusation. It doesn’t add up.”
“The more I think about it, the more it does.” Lund’s tone grows in confidence, far more convincing. “It’s their town. If anyone is responsible, it’s them.”
There’s a long pause, and visions of the brutality Dimitri Makarov is known for bombard me. It’s a giant leap beyond what most of our members would inflict. He keeps his enemies alive for weeks, mutilating them slowly—severed digits, gouged eyes, butchered genitals, starvation. It’s not something I thought much about until I threw his son, the rapist, in the bayou. Prior to that, I was awed by tales of him rarely using guns, which was a fun fact to uncover because Makarov is the name of the most famous Russian pistol. I usually click with knife guys. Unless I dismember their kin.
“Fine,” Makarov finally roars before grumbling a command. “Clean up your mess.”
The recording stops, and Liam returns. “That’s all we got.”
Tessa’s breathwhooshesout, pummeled by the weight of the call. The Lunds are teddy bears compared to the Makarovs, but only because the Makarovs are monsters. The Lunds are still heinous. That’s why they do business together. And there’s no guarantee the Makarovs won’t get involved since they just ordered a hit on me, knowing it would be war.
My eyes glue to Tessa’s as I wrap things up. “Thanks, Graves. I’ll take it from here.”
“Fuck that,” he grits out, driving home the intensity of the situation. “We’re in this with you. Do not make a move alone. I’m still running connections with everyone who’s been to the Bahamas casino. I should have something for you regarding the money soon. That could give us a new perspective. We also have eyes on Makarov and Lund. Both are still at their homes.”
Interesting. Makarov was supposed to be arriving tonight. I’ll be canceling his reservations, even if he is still planning on coming.
“I appreciate it.” I choke back a million scenarios, rendering my stomach nauseous, and brace Tessa against the wall with my legs and hips so I can use the hand not fingering her to grab the phone from her.
I’m committed to her impending orgasm, which is substantiated by her parted lips and writhing hips.
“Mad?” There’s a trace of urgency to the way Liam says my name.
“Yeah?”
“Keep them close.” He’s referring to anyone I don’t want dead because we’re officially under attack.
And while there’s already been a first blow with us being chased down yesterday, the Lunds and the Makarovs still think we don’t know it’s them. They’ll hit us harder next time to announce their formal declaration.
“Already on it.” I end the call and flick my gaze to Tessa, who is clearly fretting. “I’ll fix this. Do you trust me?”
She glances at the funhouse mirrors and wonky floor in a crooked hallway that leads into a giant, bloody clown mouth before her gaze snags on a floating Zero and she nods. “I do. But what’s the plan?”
“Good.” Before I detail my agenda, the money pops into my head, and though it’s doubtful any knowledge about it would change anything, I keep my voice low and ask her what I should have long ago. “There was missing money involved. A large amount. You didn’t find it that night or hear anything about it, right?”
Her nose crinkles, her dainty piercings twinkling in the violet lighting. “No. Is that what they’re chasing?”
