“The wedding is tomorrow,” I tell him, but my gaze is already sliding back to the leather-bound bible.
Vasili’s words are simple and yet chilling. “There’s no need to wait.”
“Dyadya?”Uncle?Katarina asks. “We have it all arranged. I have a beautiful dress. Ivory silk. I can show you.”
The head of the Bratva looks bored. “There was never going to be a wedding tomorrow. You’re in league with the Griffins.”
“I would nev–”
“Their helicopter has just landed less than a mile away. Is that my welcoming party? Or were the Griffins always planning to show up to steal what’s mine?”
“They’re good friends of ours,” says Rory.
“Good friends you didn’t invite to my niece’s birthday party. Or the wedding. As it should be.” He offers an insincere smile. “As we’re about to become family, Rory, I would take it as a show of good faith if you were to inform the Griffins that you have no further need of theirfriendship.”
“You’re on Moncrief property,” Rory says. “And we choose our own friends.”
“Then I suggest you choose wisely. I would hate to spoil tonight’s party. Bloodshed would be very bad for your branding, don’t you think?”
“Is that a threat?” I growl.
“Of course it is,” Vasili says. “Oh, and if you were hoping to send a distress signal to theGriffins, we’ve blocked your network. No one else can see or hear what’s about to happen.”
All has gone quiet in my earpiece and as I check my phone, I find all the cameras blacked out. Vasili turns to Danyl and speaks low in Russian. I only know a few words, but from Katarina’s expression, I can guess whatever he’s saying isn’t good.
“Please, Uncle.” Katarina’s plea is the first sign that something is seriously wrong. It isn’t in her nature to beg. “She’s not–”
“Shush!” Vasili hisses, raising a finger to silence her.
My stomach hollows. There’s only oneshethey could be talking about.
Chapter 32
Grace
Hiding out in the boathouse is just a precaution, I tell myself as Ed and I slip beyond the lights cast by the party. The cars that have just arrived are simply bringing Fitz home. Killian will keep out of sight and leave as promised. Katarina will escape tomorrow. I get my man.
My heels sink into the damp earth as we cross the lawn that extends behind the marquee, and our progress slows further when we plunge into complete darkness. We can’t use the flashlights on our phones as they’d only attract attention. It’s bad enough that Ed’s wearing a brilliant white suit that practically glows.
“You’ve seriously been spying on Duke?” I whisper.
“I wasn’t spying on him,” Ed says indignantly. “I was spying on Katarina and protecting Duke from himself,” He heaves out a sigh. “But I’m glad it’s all out in the open now. Do you think he really will fire me this time?”
“He’ll forgive you.”
Ed shoves his gun into the waistband of his pants andloops his arm through mine. “I’d happily hand in my resignation if it means we all get out of this in one piece.”
“He’d never accept it.”
“Just as long as I keep you safe fr–”
There’s a sickening crack and Ed drops to the ground, pulling me with him. I yelp in shock rather than fear, thinking Ed’s put his foot down a rabbit hole, but as I crawl towards him, he’s out cold. A dark substance oozes from the side of his head, collecting darkly on his jacket collar. Blood.
“Ed!” And then I scream as someone grabs me by my hair and yanks me to my feet.
My scalp burns, my arms flail and my teeth crack painfully together when my attacker slaps me hard across the face. He curses me in Russian as I claw at his face. He hits me again, this time with a closed fist and when I fall back, I fall into darkness.
I come around slowly and it takes a second or two to figure out why I’m staring at the ground. In the growing light, I see stone steps and the back of a leather jacket. My face throbs and the drool dripping from my mouth tastes metallic.
