“It won’t.”
“But if it does?—”
“Then we’ll handle it. Together. For right now, focus on finding out what they’re planning before they have a chance to execute it.”
I leave the estate and drive back to the office.
Declan’s waiting when I arrive. “You talked to Julian?”
“Security’s being coordinated. What do you have?”
“I’ve reached out to our sources. Paid top dollar for information. Should have something within forty-eight hours.”
“Make it twenty-four.”
“Cass—”
“Twenty-four hours, Declan. I need to know what they’re planning before they move.”
He nods and leaves.
I sit at my desk and pull up the surveillance photos again. Study each face. Each location. Looking for patterns I might have missed.
The Petrovs are planning something.
And my sons are in their sights.
33
AURELIA
Julian’s standingat his office window with a gun in his hand. Not holstered. Just held loosely at his side while he stares out at the street below like he’s waiting for something to happen.
I stop in the doorway. “What’s going on?”
He doesn’t turn around. “Close the door.”
I do. I walk closer. “Julian.”
“The Petrovs are active again.”
The name hits me like ice water. Petrov. Six years ago. Cassian standing over Dmitri Petrov’s body with a gun still smoking. Blood spreading across pavement. People screaming.
Then hands grabbing me, dragging me away before I could process what I’d witnessed.
“How active?” My voice comes out steadier than I feel.
“They’ve been running surveillance on Cassian for at least two weeks. Mapping his routines. Asking questions about his family.”
“Do they know about the boys?”
“We don’t know what they know. But they’re looking.”
I sink into the chair across from his desk because my legs won’t hold me anymore. The Petrovs. The family whose heir Cassian killed. The organization that swore revenge and then went quiet for six years. They’re moving again. And my sons are targets because their father put a bullet in Dmitri Petrov’s head.
“Where are the boys now?” I ask.
“Playroom. Nadia’s with them. Four guards on rotation inside the house, six outside. No one gets on or off this property without going through security.”
