The leader of the Roguilin crime family hangs up, his claw still on my shoulder.
I work to maintain steady breathing and keep my face and mind blank. Grigori needs to believe this is just business for me too.
Underneath my skin, though, my entire body buzzes with hope and fear and a warm, melting sensation I can only describe aslove.
Brody called for me. Offered to trade for me.
Despite how we parted, he’s coming to my rescue.
Grigori rests against the edge of the table. “It seems your boyfriend misses you and is willing to exchange you for all your family secrets.”
I hold his gaze. Those dark, glittering, and entirely soulless gray eyes remind me of a snake’s.
He tilts his head. “Is this a deal I should make?”
I swallow around the dry lump in my throat. “I think so.”
“If I do, you will never find out who killed your friend.”
He may be right, but even if he revealed the truth, that won’t do Angelica any good if I’m not alive to use the intel.
I raise my chin. “All that matters to you is getting the information on the drive, right? So you worry about your goals, and I’ll worry about mine.”
Grigori cracks a wide-mouthed and absolutely terrifying smile. “You have known me for but a few hours, yet already, you understand me better than Andrei over there.”
If looks could kill, Andrei’s glare would slice Grigori’s head clean off his shoulders. I suppose this father-son duo doesn’t get along any better than Declan and Brody, which is not a high bar to meet.
I try for a vicious grin. “You forget who my father was. I know how intelligent men like you think and what matters most.” At times like these, a little flattery never hurts.
Grigori nods and rises to his feet. “It is settled.” He motions to the bathroom. “Go and ready yourself. Your hero is waiting to meet you.”
I obey, closing the bathroom door and bracing my palms on the marble vanity countertop.
Brody Gallagher. The man who saved my life. Who rocked my world. Who taught me how to stop overthinking and listento my heart. The man who doesn’t truly need his awful father’s approval.
That’s the man I fell for.
And he’s coming back for me.
Chapter 39
Brody
“Fuck Declan!”
The words burst out on the end of a laugh. I think I’ve waited my entire life to say them. And even though no one witnesses my revelation, the weight rises off my shoulders all the same.
I left Declan and Connor in the blue honeymoon suite hours ago, hopefully wallowing in my absence. But none of that matters anymore because I’m free of them.
I did worry that Declan might have me followed and attacked, but I kept my head on a swivel and haven’t spotted a soul. At least he granted me that much courtesy, I suppose.
I imagine he and Connor are well on their way back to California. Good riddance. I’ve got business and don’t need them interfering anyway.
I’m fine on my own. At least until I get Trinitty back.
Trinity.
She’s all I can think about. I never should have let her leave last night.
