“No spies. Just good connections,” Katarina promises, then beams a smile at the waiter who serves our coffees.
Grace and Ed arrive back before I’ve taken my first sip. I don’t like how pale she looks. She’s scared. Terrified might be a better description as she takes her seat and stares down at her hands hidden beneath the table. I want to comfort her, but it’s Katarina who reaches out.
“We should call it a night,” I say, taking out my cell to arrange for a Moncrief driver to pick us up. Katarina has her own transport care of the Bratva.
“Give me a moment to powder my nose,” says Katarina, and as she stands, there’s the scrape of chair legs. Danyl gets to his feet and shadows her as she disappears into the narrow passageway. I don’t rate the guy’s chances if he tries to follow her into the restroom.
“We’ll be OK,” I promise Grace. “My driver should behere soon. I’ll take you home.” I wink at her. “Once we’ve dropped off the gooseberry, we can take the long route back to your apartment.”
“Thanks, boss,” says Ed, aka the gooseberry.
Grace fidgets in her seat. She isn’t reassured. Something’s wrong. “What is it, Angel?”
Her eyes dart towards where Katarina disappeared with Danyl on her trail. “I don’t know if I should say.”
Ed looks from Grace to me. “Sorry, not got a clue,” he replies to the question I haven’t asked.
Whatever happened, happened in the restroom. Now I’m the one shit-scared. “Tell me. Now, Grace.”
She leans in, resting an elbow on the table. Ed goes to mirror her position and I pull him back. It’s already a fraught atmosphere and the last thing we need is the three of us getting caught in a huddle sharing secrets.
Grace chews her lip. “I gave Katarina a note,” she whispers. “It was handed to me.”
My neck cords. “Someone handed you a note? In the restroom?” She nods. “What did the note say?”
She shrugs. “I didn’t read it. He just said to give it to–”
“He?” I ask, my blood running cold. I slip my hand beneath my jacket to my Glock. My finger finds the trigger, my thumb rests on the safety. “There was a man in the restroom waiting for Katarina?”
Grace glances to where my hand has stilled. “It’s OK,” she says. “It’s her hairdresser. He just wanted to see her, I think. I’m more worried about Danyl catching them.”
If she’s trying to reassure me, it has the opposite effect. Someone’s lured Katarina at the same time the Bratva have been alerted to the presence of an enemy. If the Irish mafia are attempting to abduct Vasili’s niece, this situation couldblow up fast.
I stand, and as I’m about to draw my gun, Katarina reappears. She clocks my stance immediately and shoots me a warning. Danyl emerges behind her. He looks as miserable as ever, but not alarmed.
“Time for me to go,” she says as she wraps her arms around my neck, forcing me to release my hold on the gun. She’s looking over my shoulder when she says, “Sorry, Grace.” Danyl will assume it’s an apology for leaving, but then she kisses me. Long and hard and deep.
I swallow bile as I nuzzle her neck. “I want to know who the fuck this hairdresser is,” I whisper in her ear.
She pulls away, amusement dancing in her deep brown eyes. “You canwantall you like, baby,” she says. “As of now, I’m saving myself for our wedding day. There’s nothing like building up the tension.”
Ed, Grace and I wait until Katarina leaves before we release a collective sigh of relief. I consider heading to the restroom to see if I can find this guy, but Katarina’s secret associate will be as elusive as the woman herself.
My cell vibrates on the table. Our driver has arrived.
“Come on,” I say, allowing myself to put my hand on the small of Grace’s back. Damn, I remember exactly how this dress felt when I ran my hands over her curves in the Exemplar’s elevator. I dip my head so only she can hear. “I don’t intend saving myself for any goddamn wedding day.”
Ed grumbles behind us. “I’ll get a cab home.”
I give him a look. “No, you won’t. I need to make sure you get home safe too.”
I don’t know who looks more pleased, Ed for my display of protectiveness, or Grace for the same thing. They’re a good reminder of why I need to keep fighting.
Chapter 24
Grace
“Paulo, I need…” Duke starts to say, his phone in one hand while he uses the other to sweep my hair from my face. My lips are around his cock and as I go down on him, his hips buck and his crown hits the back of my throat.
