Ivan sighs deeply. “Unfortunately, he’s not joking.”
“Oh good,itspeaks,” Elijah spits.
He’s lucky I’m here—Ivan doesn’t take disrespect lightly.
Enzo massages the bridge of his nose before finally nodding, realization settling across his face. “Let’s focus on her safety… we trust your word. We’ll honor her choice.”
Elijah visibly disagrees. “Are you fucking seri—”
Enzo cuts him off with a sharp elbow. “Enough.”
He turns back to me. “We will need to plan precisely—and with the understanding that your death may be the result of what you’re trying to do. Going around our fathers is nothing short of stupid.”
Maksim and Ivan exchange a look—half confusion, halfis he seriously doing this for a girl?
But she’s not a girl to me.
She’s the only thing that matters.
The world could burn and it wouldn’t change my choice.
I hold out my hand. Enzo takes it, grip firm. Challenge disguised as cooperation.
“Shall we discuss the arrangements then?” I gesture to the conference table, then step toward it.
No one else moves.
Guns appear. All of them.
So untrusting…
“Ivan. Maksim.”
My men drop their weapons instantly, then Enzo gives Elijah a look sharp enough to break ribs. Elijah lowers his gun, muttering something Italian and deeply irritated.
Only then do we move.
“Let’s discuss the next death,” Enzo says dryly, “without creating any new ones.”
Ivan raises a brow. “Optimistic.”
Maksim nods. “Very.”
Chapter 62
Aurelia
Nikolai has been out dealing with business for the last twenty-four hours, leaving me with that cryptic message and then,poof—vanishing. Does the man really believe he’s Aladdin’s genie? Because,hello!I need more information, not to be left alone in his room.
Maksim came half an hour ago to deliver a deep purple ballgown to wear for this supposed ball. I tried to ask him about it when he dropped it off, but all he said was: “I can’t speak to the crazy lady.”
It was uncalled for, but I’ll accept it because apparently I bit his hand pretty hard.
The dress is gorgeous. It has a corset top with a pointed sweetheart neckline, and a slit up the side that runs all the way to my hip.
Getting ready for the evening, unsure if I’m preparing for my death or my escape, I try to face it with strength regardless.
I know it probably means I have to leave Nikolai if I want my freedom. But what if I want us to stay together and have more perfect moments like the one from yesterday?
