I'm shaking uncontrollably. I grab a pillow from the bed, placed it on my face and screamed bloody murder. It doesn't make me feel better, but the shaking has stopped, and my mind clears.
A plan begins to form.
I'm not thinking rationally. I know that. I should stop. Take a breath. Maybe even confront Saint, but I'm not going to be doing any of that.
I pull out the burner phone Alexei's man gave me. I'd hidden it in the back of my closet in an old purse. I'm not supposed to use it, but who the fuck is Alexei to order me around? He wants information, he's going to have to play by my rules.
I type fast: Need to meet. Now. I have something big.
I don't, but I've got time to think of what I can give Alexei. Bank numbers. Routes. Adrian is starting to change things, but I know more than he does, and he can't change things faster than I can leak them.
The response is immediate: Eclipse. One hour.
I look at the bedroom window. There's activity all around. Antonio is dying, and the house and family are getting ready for the shift in power.
I'm confident I can slip out in the chaos.
Saint doesn't want to play. Too bad.
I'm in the game, and I'm not done.
It took me longer to get to Eclipse than I wanted, and when I do, I'm cutting it close. I'm surprised by how busy things are considering it's a Thursday night, and I try not to feel ashamed of the Fair Isle sweater and jeans I'm wearing.
Not exactly good for blending in, but I hadn't had time to put an outfit together. Plus, I'm here to do business, not dance.
I look around. Alexei is nowhere to be found on the floor, which means I need to make my way to his office.
I'm halfway across the club, when I feel a hand snag my wrist. I tense, turn around, ready to knee whoever thought they could manhandle me.
"You shouldn't be here." I'm looking up at Alexei's second, Igor. The scar on the side of his lip, which turns it down slightly, looks stark white in the strobe lights of the club, and he places pressure on my wrist.
I try to pull away, but I can't. "Alexei is expecting me," I growl. "So, I'd suggest you unhand me."
Igor rolls his eyes and pulls me forward. I'm about to cuss him out, when I see a familiar face by the door.
Saint.
My husband.
He's here. Staring at me, blank faced. It doesn't take him long to walk toward me, his long legs eating up the space between us.
"Wife."
"S—Saint."
Igor basically throws me toward Saint who catches me against his chest.
I glance over at Igor, surprise on my face. What the hell is happening here?
"Do not come back," he orders. "Alexei is not someone you want to work with."
"I'm not?—"
He glances at Saint. "She got lucky this time." He hands a burner phone to Saint, and I feel my heart plummet. The phone wasn't from Alexei. It was from him. Igor set me up, but why. My mind is reeling. "She won't next time. Keep her on a shorter leash."
My cheeks redden in anger. A leash, like a dog.
"I won't forget this." Saint nods slightly, his arm wrapping around my waist tightly.
