“In spite of the complications of his engagement, Duke’s doing really well after what Rory refers to as a minor miracle.”
“What do you mean? What happened?”
“I was hoping you’d tell me,” Maddie replies. “The miracle was you, Grace. You’re the girl from Philly that the family credit with bringing Duke back to them.”
My mouth goes dry. I knew in my heart that our one-night stand wasn’t some meaningless hook up. Not for me. I’d hoped it meant something to Duke too, but this feels almost too much. And there are so many things that could still go wrong.
“What if he has to go through with the wedding, Maddie?”
“Ash won’t let that happen.”
Everyone seems to be putting an awful lot of faith in Ash Griffin. Except me. “Then why hasn’t he made her disappear yet?”
“Have you met Katarina?” Maddie asks, then reconsiders what she’s just said. “God, no, of course you haven’t. That wouldn’t be good.”
“The glimpse I had of her showing off her engagement ring was enough,” I reply. “If it was all an act, she fooled me.”
“It’s fair to say that Katarina is an enigma. She makes it almost too easy to hate her, and then she goes and does something that gives you pause,” Maddie says, her voice fading as if reminiscing about something.
“She’s stunningly beautiful, I know that,” I say with more than a hint of jealousy. “And she seems very good at wrapping men around her little finger.”
“Not our men,” Maddie says confidently, then heaves out a sigh. “I’m not saying she isn’t averse to using her looks to her advantage, but she’s also trained for combat.”
“Like self-defense?”
“Like slicing a man’s throat.”
I assume Maddie’s exaggerating, but when I meet her eye, my blood runs cold. “You’re serious?”
“Her latest victim was an ex-Bratva soldier who’d turned mercenary. Katarina fought for the privilege of cutting his throat from ear to ear,” Maddie says, but she doesn’t look as horrified as I feel. “The guy was known for abducting and abusing women, and I don’t doubt he deserved her version of justice.”
Suddenly her comment about me not meeting Katarina holds more meaning. “Are you saying she’s a danger to me?”
“She needs to be handled with care, that’s all,” Maddie replies carefully as we enter the last corridor.
There are voices coming from the kitchen and goosebumps prick my skin. I’m grateful when Maddie loops her arm through mine.
“Speak of the devil,” she mutters.
The female voice we hear has a distinct Russian accent. It’s the same one I heard barking orders at her bodyguards. “I don’t like being lied to, Duke,” Katarina says, her words ricocheting down the telephone line.
“I didn’t lie,” he says, sounding tired rather than angry.
“You told me you were meeting Hunter. You told me you were flying down there with Max. You said you’d be staying overnight,” she replies, spitting out each item on her list. “What youdidn’tfucking mention was the womanwho’d be joining you on your little trip. And you failed to add her name to the flight manifest. Why would you do that, Duke? Who the hell is Grace Hamel?”
“None of your fucking business,” he growls.
“Seriously, Katarina?” Hunter interjects. “You want to play the paranoid fiancée? Shouldn’t you be putting more time and effort into your exit plan? The southern hemisphere is about to enjoy a beautiful spring. Now would be the perfect time for you tofuck offto the other side of the world.”
“Never to be heard of again,” she hisses.
“Which would make usallhappy,” Hunter says forcibly. “You could go this weekend. I’ll help you pack your bags.”
“How quickly you forget what your family owes me, Hunter.”
“You have a habit of draining every last ounce of goodwill from people,” he points out. “Consider this particular well dry. Any more delays and our deal is off the table, as will be your engagement.”
I’m stepping into the kitchen when Katarina replies in a low purr. “Duke won’t walk away, will you, baby?”
