They’re not trained professionals; they’re thugs. The men who broke in were much more skilled, which gives me some thoughts as to who they might have been.
I shrug. “I’ve been in worse situations.”
Usually, shifter arguments are settled with claws and teeth, less clean and clinical, but every bit as dangerous.
“I don’t doubt it.” His smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “The Lennox family has quite the reputation. I’m beginning to see it’s well-deserved.”
I say nothing. Let him think whatever he wants about my family name and who taught me how to fight. It wasn’t my father, that’s for damn sure. Once he realised how strong I was going to be, he cast me out. It was my older brothers who made sure I stayed on a good path.
Kozlov gestures behind him, and when Piotr steps forward, every muscle in my body goes rigid. “Piotr will take over watch duty while you’re needed elsewhere.”
Piotr practically bounces on his heels, and I know exactly what he’s hungry for. He made that clear enough in the kitchen. And now Kozlov wants to leave him outside her door while she sleeps?
“She stays in that room,” I tell him, letting a hint of growl creep into my voice. “Door stays locked. Nobody goes in. That includes you.” I step closer, using every inch of my height. “If I come back and find out you’ve fucked this up, you’ll answer to me before Kozlov. And trust me, you’d prefer Kozlov.”
He swallows hard and nods, positioning himself beside the door with notably less enthusiasm. Something ugly flickers in his expression, resentment maybe, but he’s not stupid enough to push back. Not with Kozlov watching.
Kozlov watches the exchange with amusement, and I wonder if this is another test. “Come. We have much to discuss.”
I fall into step beside him, forcing myself not to look back at Emma’s door. Every step away from her feels wrong, like a physical ache in my chest, but right now, I need information more than I need to stand guard. And Kozlov is clearly in a sharing mood.
We walk through the mansion, past the destruction from earlier that’s already being cleaned by a small army of staff.Bullet holes are being patched, broken furniture removed, and bloodstains scrubbed from the marble. By morning, there will be no evidence that anything even happened here.
“Tonight was a setback,” Kozlov says, his jaw tight. “But not a disaster. The Ashworths have confirmed their deposit stands. They’re even more eager now, the excitement adding to the appeal. Igor said it was an interesting drive back to their car.”
He gives me a wink, and I feel like vomiting. But Emma wasn’t the only problem tonight. If they’re getting off on the idea of people being hurt and injured because of this barbaric auction already, I can’t bear to think what else gets them off.
Sick fucks.
“And the woman they originally wanted?” I keep my tone neutral, curious but not too curious.
“A complication, but a lucrative one.” His lips thin. “She’s very valuable, and quite frankly, irreplaceable at such short notice. We need to make sure nothing else goes wrong...” He glances at me sideways, but I don’t ask any more questions. If I appear too nosy, he’ll clam up.
“Dimitri will handle her personally, which is why I need you to focus on Emma’s security, both here and at the auction. Exclusively.”
I nod. “I thought I already was.”
“Here, yes. I’d arranged a team to look after the event itself, but now… I’m not sure who I can trust.” He stops walking, then turns to face me. “The auction is in a few days. It’s the most important event of my year, and I have supporters who are counting on this going smoothly.”
Kozlov doesn’t look at me when he says it.
I wait, letting him fill the silence.
“These people have invested significant resources into this operation, and I cannot afford to disappoint them.”
My attention sharpens.
Kozlov has a boss. Or bosses. Someone above him pulling strings, funding his plans and expecting returns on their investment.
This operation is bigger than one Russian mobster running a side hustle in human trafficking.
“What do you need from me?” I ask, pretending I’m just here to serve.
Kozlov’s got a big ego. Appealing to his need to be the top dog, with all his minions running around after him, is my best chance of gaining his confidence.
“The auction location is kept secret, even from me, until the day before. Security protocol, but a logistical nightmare for us. However, given tonight’s events, perhaps it is a good thing. At least we know that has not been compromised.”
He doesn’t even fucking know where it’s going to be? How am I supposed to tip Chase off in enough time for him to prepare?
