Anton grabs my arm and pulls me behind him.
His men all keep their weapons raised towards Starke and his guys. The air is tense with anticipation. Everyone is waiting for something to happen. My heart is racing as I watch from behind Anton.
But Starke is driving away.
It’s over.
For now.
And right now, I wish I hadn’t overthought the whole thing so much. I wish I had already called Illyin.
When Starke is out of sight, Anton turns and pulls me into his arms. His voice is strained and rough when he says, “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
“They wouldn’t hurt me,” I try to reassure him. “They just wanted to take me to talk to him.”
“Take you and never let you leave again,” he snaps angrily.
“Hey, it’s okay. It’s going to be okay.” I reach up and touch his chest. His eyes are a dark storm of emotion as he looks down at me.
“How did you know?” I ask.
“Josiah warned me that Illyin would be coming. I had to stay prepared,” he says, pulling me into a hug again. “I can’t lose you, Izabel.”
Chapter 21 - Anton
“Talk to me, Yaroslav. Tell me you found him?” I demand, pacing up and down my home office.
Yaroslav nods. “We found out where he’s staying in Detroit.”
My chest is tight with stress. I press my hand up to my heart and take a deep breath. “So, we have him?” I ask, relieved.
“Yes, sir. He’s there. He’s held up with a team of men. I just got a report before I came in here. My men have eyes on him.”
I pace up and down my office, rubbing my hand over my jaw as I consider all of my options.
“What do you want to do?” Yaroslav asks when I say nothing.
I could wait and watch. I could gather intel. I could spy and plan something.
But I’m fucking sick of waiting. I’m sick of lying low and keeping myself under the radar. I’m sick of hiding and waiting for other people to make the first move.
I come to a stop and turn to face Yaroslav. “Get the men ready. We’re going to pay a visit to Illyin Toloff.”
“Now?”
“Yes. Now.”
My heart races with anticipation, but I know this is the only real option I have.
He came so close to taking her from me, and I will do anything and everything in my power to not let that happen. Including facing Illyin directly.
***
Yaroslav walks at my side as we enter Ilyin’s building in the city. It’s an old hotel, and it appears that he has booked the entire place for however long he plans to be here.
I came with five men. Enough to get me out of trouble, but not enough to suggest that I want to start a war right here and now.
I hear shouting ahead of me from around the corner which I assume leads to the elevators. Illyin is snarling at the messenger.
