I walk out of Winters & Co Law Firm for the very last time into the crisp, early November air, with the deed to Winters Manor in my hand, freshly printed, ink barely dry.
I take three short breaths and give my next order.
“Niko, have the men begin to arrive at the manor. No more than one vehicle at a time. I don’t want to draw any attention to the manor. Have them stay inside, do not let them roam around the grounds unless the sun is down.” Niko nods, glacier gaze heavy on mine, and I have to glance away from how chilly they look. “Go home, Sasha. Enjoy your children. Tend to your wife.”
“Okay, Boss Lady. You give me a call if you need me, verno?”Right? “My icepick’s been… a littlelonely.”
I snort out a laugh and give him one curt nod. “I’ll call you when I have him home, Sasha.”
“You’re a good woman, Boss.” He takes a step back. There’s a light dusting of snow landing on his stylish peacoat that an old gangster in a mafia movie would wear. His brows furrow together, and I can see now that while shorter, he does quite look like an older version of Aleksi. I’m sure he’s extravagantly more lethal. He turns away from me, taking a few steps in the other direction, but calls out over his shoulder. “I can see why he’s crazy about you.”
I suck in a sob, trap it in my throat, and then swallow it down. Wrapping my coat a little tighter around me, I lift my chin, then turn to face the men waiting on my next order. “Let’s get ready to go.”
It feels silly to be taking a private jet that seats twelve to England. It feels even worse remembering a few months ago we were at Winters Manor enjoying ourselves. Having a beautiful fuckfest. My only haven is that we aren't going to Winters Manor yet. We’re heading to the Barclay Estate to get it ready. But it feels as though time is running out. I can’t allow myself tothink of tomorrow. I just have to think of the Right Now. Anything beyond the Right Now feels like doom.
Raven and Damon are with me since Jonas has to play football and Maverick has to teach. They’ll be joining us on Friday. I feel terrible for even dragging them with me. But they offered, and why wouldn’t I have my best friend and my psychiatrist with me? Again, I haven't been forthcoming with Damon because I can't allow myself to think past the few hours ahead of me.
Parker grabs my hand. “You have to try to get some sleep.”
I roll my eyes, then look about the cabin, where everyone else is sleeping. “How can I? What if they aren’t feeding him? What if they have him chained up like an animal?”
“He’s gonna survive, Sabrina.”
I say the thing I’m scared to say out loud. “But what if he doesn’t thrive afterwards?”
“Would you love him less?”
“I’ll love him harder,” I answer honestly.
“Then that’s all that matters.” He leans over and kisses me; soft lips crash to mine, pecking and nipping, sending tingles to all my pink parts, awakening me. “He’s got you. He’s not only going to thrive, baby, but he’ll probably be the one to single-handedly eradicate the Syndicate. At least the Bones chapter. We both know this. And we’ll help him. I’m pretty sure Maverick wouldn’t mind getting in on that, either.”
I press my lips to his again, containing the whimper that wants to leave me. “I want them all to burn to the ground. Every one of their houses.”
“They will. I’ll make sure of it. You aren’t doing this alone, baby. So lean on me when you need to, you understand? Just don’t break. Not yet.”
I nod, looking over at Raven again, to find her soundly sleeping in Damon’s arms, but Damon is wide awake and watching us. I know he’s expecting me to say something, to ask for a quick session, or maybe he’s simply just watching me splinter apart.
Later.
I’ll deal with it all later.
I'll break later.
For now, I'll hoard my fury like a sleeping dragon. I’ll let it fuel me.
I give Damon a curt nod, to which he acknowledges, and then settle against Parker in our little pod. When he cuddles into me, his warmth feels like a drug. Every bit of me relaxes, and it makes me feel guilty. But he’s right. I need to sleep.
I allow myself to.
When we land at Oxford’s Airport, there are two large SUVs waiting for us. Parker grabs my gloved hand. Raven grabs the other. “Are you ready, sweet girl?”
I glance over at my best friend, who gives me one solemn nod. “It’s showtime.”
ChapterNine
Maksim.
“Psst… Maksim.”
