“Hmm, I suppose it’s sweet, if you like that sort of thing. Or babies,” Katarina says. “You and your hidden talents really are living up to the legendary status the Moncriefs have given you.”
“You told Kat they call you a legend?” Ed asks.
“God, no. I wouldn’t repeat that,” she replies.
They look to me and my stony face says it all. Do I look stupid enough to trust Katarina withallour secrets? “Who did tell you, Kat?”
Katarina normally has a great poker face, but her cheeks are flushed. She’s hiding something. “You know me, Duke. I always have my ear to the ground.”
Before I can demand a better explanation, Danyl appears at our table. “We’re leaving.”
Katarina purses her lips around a spoonful of mousse and slowly pulls it out clean. “I haven’t finished eating.”
“You’re in danger and we need to leave,” Danyl insists.
I feel the weight of the gun holstered to my shoulder. “What danger?”
“The Irish kind.”
Katarina scoops up more mousse. “That’s not danger, durak.”Idiot. “It’s curiosity. They want to see how we’ll react, and I for one won’t be scurrying away like a frightened mouse. If you don’t feel safe, go. I can look after myself.”
The Irish mafia are established enemies of the Bratva, but they’re not my enemies. Far from it. The McConkeysare friends of the Griffins, and that friendship extends to the Moncriefs, albeit tenuously.
Under normal circumstances, I should have nothing to fear, but being associated with any crime family doesn’t guarantee safety. I glance around the restaurant. No one is paying us any particular interest. If they were, Danyl wouldn’t be so patient with Katarina. I presume Andrey, who’s stationed outside the restaurant, has spotted the unwelcome company.
“She’s safer staying in here. As are we all,” I insist. Almost casually, I add, “And if you try to take her by force, I might have to break your nose again.”
“It would be my pleasure for you to try.”
I match his death stare. “Fuck off back to your table, Danyl. I’ve got this.”
When he retreats, we order coffee, but Danyl knows how to kill the mood.
“When you leave,” I tell Katarina, “I’m going to stay behind and make sure these two get home safely. It’s not open for debate.” I don’t mention I could call Max to escort Grace and Ed home. I’m not leaving my people.
“They’re safe,” she insists, “but I accept they need you more than I do.”
Grace glances nervously around her. “Am I OK to use the restroom?”
“I’ll go with you,” I say.
“She’ssafe, Duke,” Katarina repeats, reaching out to take my arm and keep me seated. “You make her position more dangerous by getting overprotective.”
“I can go with her,” Ed says.
I’m not happy, but logic tells me they’re not going to be targeted even if the mafia are inside the restaurant.Reluctantly, I let Grace and Ed go and make the most of my time alone with Katarina.
“Back to our previous discussion,” I say. “Where did you hear about my family calling Grace a legend? Was it Fitz? Have you visited him?”
Katarina swore she didn’t know where my brother was being kept, but this could prove a lie. Neither of my other brothers would have mentioned Grace to Katarina, but Fitz does like shooting his mouth off.
“No, I didn’t hear it from Fitz. You have my word.”
“Forgive me if I don’t hold much value to that,” I say, icily. “But if not Fitz, then who?”
“I don’t divulge my sources.”
“Is it someone who works for us?” I persist. “Do you have spies in our offices?” And if she did, could Vasili get to them? Is there a risk he could find out what Grace and I are doing behind closed doors?
