“Get some sleep,” Dimitri says, voice distant. “We’ll talk in the morning.”
Chapter Twelve - Dimitri
I watch her sleep from the doorway.
Janice is curled on the couch where I left her, my jacket still wrapped around her shoulders, face pale even in unconsciousness. Her breathing hitches occasionally, small distressed sounds escaping that suggest whatever dreams she’s having aren’t peaceful.
Not surprising, given what she witnessed tonight.
I should feel satisfaction. She’s here, in my space, completely dependent on my protection. The woman who nearly destroyed my empire is now trapped under my roof because her own actions set this chain of events in motion.
Instead, I feel something closer to guilt.
The Volkovs wouldn’t have noticed her if I hadn’t requested her specifically for that meeting. Wouldn’t have started surveillance if I hadn’t made it obvious she mattered. Wouldn’t have decided she was valuable leverage if I’d just let her disappear four years ago like I should have.
This is my fault.
Felix arrives an hour later, letting himself in with the spare keycard I gave him years ago. He takes one look at Janice sleeping on my couch and his expression hardens.
“She’s here.”
“Observant as always.”
“No need to be sarcastic.”
“The Volkovs made their move. Three men, armed abduction attempt. I intercepted.”
“How many bodies?”
“All three.”
Felix exhales slowly. “Cleanup?”
“Already handled. Oleg has people on it.”
“And her?” He gestures toward Janice. “What’s the plan?”
“She stays here. Under protection until the Volkov situation is resolved.”
“That could take weeks. Months, even, if they decide to escalate.”
“Then she stays for months.”
“She’s not going to agree to that.”
“She doesn’t get a choice.”
Felix studies me with those pale eyes that see too much. “This was all part of your plan, huh?”
I don’t confirm or deny. Don’t need to. Felix knows me too well.
“Does she know?” he asks.
“Not yet.”
“When were you planning to tell her?”
“When she wakes up. After she’s processed the immediate danger and understands there’s no other option.”
