“What a genius idea. Shame you didn’t think of it weeks ago,” Rory says dryly, pulling out his phone again. “I messaged Ash five minutes ago.” His expression is pinched as he checks for a response. “Apparently, he’d already been made aware of the situation and they’re in the air as we speak. He’ll land the helicopter close enough to move in if we need assistance, but they’ll remain out of sight for now. There’s ground support on standby too.”
“How the hell did they find out?” Duke asks. “Was it Killian?”
“From the expletives Ash is using, I’d say not,” replies Rory. “He’s as pissed with Killian as he is with you. Luckily, he isn’t so pissed that he’s going to leave us to shoot it out alone.”
They’re talking as if they’re going into a battle, and I think I might be sick. But I’m still not going to leave.
“Have you forgotten you have a marquee full of partygoers?” I remind Duke. “While you’re dealing with crimelords, someone has to keep your guests happy and hopefully oblivious of any potential danger.”Potential. It’s not real. Not yet.
“We’ll evacuate everyone if necessary, but you’re still leaving now.” Duke turns before I can respond. “Max, can you get someone to take them?”
Max is speaking into his earpiece, his features grim. “No one’s going anywhere. A team of Bratva soldiers just climbed out of one of three armored vehicles and have taken over our security at the gates. No shots fired yet, but I don’t imagine it’ll be long before the vehicles head this way.”
Chapter 31
Duke
The surge of panic lasts only as long as it takes me to curse myself. I fucked up. I was so hellbent on getting Fitz back that I’ve put everyone in danger.Everyone. I’ll have to live with the consequences of what comes next so every decision has to count. I force my mind to still.
“Rory, take Grace and Ed to the boathouse. They can hide out there until we know what’s happening,” I say, already tapping out a message to warn Calder.
“Fine, but I’ll come right back to the house afterwards,” Rory insists.
He sees my hesitation. I wanted him out of the way too.
Rory’s involvement with the Griffins has opened his eyes to a darker world, but his weapon of choice is diplomacy. He’s remained steadfastly on the periphery of battles such as this. So have I to some extent. I trained in the field when I became responsible for Moncrief security, but having the Bratva invade our home is a situation I never expected to face.
“Whoever these people are, Duke,” Rory says, pullingthe big brother card with just his tone. “You’re not facing them alone.”
Reluctantly, I nod. “We get Fitz back.”
“Rory doesn’t need to take us,” Ed offers. “I know where the boathouse is and I can use a gun. I’ll protect Grace with my life, I swear.”
“I hate to repeat myself, but I’m not going anywhere,” Grace says, snagging my sleeve as I go to leave. “This marquee is full of your guests.”
“It’s also full of highly trained, armed personnel posing as waiting staff,” says Max. “They’ll protect everyone.”
“Like the guards on the gate?” Grace demands. She has a point.
Max hands one of his guns to Ed with an extra clip of bullets. He doesn’t look at me when he says, “No. The operatives here have been trained by the Griffins.”
I cock my head. This is news to me. “I thought we agreed not to involve them? Was it you who told Ash that Killian was here?” I don’t mean to sound angry. I’m grateful that the Griffins are still willing to help clean up a mess of my making, but I’ve put a lot of trust in Max in the last year.
“That was me,” Ed says, examining his gun and chambering a bullet like a fucking pro. His wince is his only apology when he looks up. “And if I’d known about Fitz, they would have found out about that way sooner too.”
The sting of betrayal makes me flinch. “You’reworking for them?”
Ed looks indignant. “No, I work for you. My job is to take care of all your needs, something I’ve taken very seriously since Katarina darkened your door. I’ve only shared pertinent facts with the Griffins when necessary.”
“Like telling them what happened at the restaurant,” I surmise.
“Yes, and in return they’ve trained me. It’s a good thing too,” he says proudly. “I can look after Grace just fine. You need Rory with you. Of the two of you, he’s the better negotiator.”
There’s no time for argument or recriminations, and besides, I don’t know if I should be mad at Ed or proud. I turn to Grace. “Ed has my permission to drag you out of here at gunpoint if he has to. Don’t give me someone else to worry about.” I cup her face. “I love you, Angel. I’ll love you until the end of time and damn it, we’re owed that time together.”
As my lips cover hers, Grace grips hold of my lapels. I savor her taste, her smell and the demanding swipe of her tongue as she commits my touch to memory too. I have to peel her fingers off me.
Tears streak her cheeks. “Don’t even contemplate not coming back to me,” she warns. “I love you, Duke.”
