Page 206 of Captive Ruin

Bastien turns up late evening, Anna in tow as usual, but no sign of Natalie. That tells me all I need to know.

He sits in a chair while Anna stands behind him. Amelia has pulled her chair closer to my bed, and we hold hands while we listen.

“It was the Volkovs,” he begins without preamble. “They were in touch this morning, delivering the head of one of their brigadiry to our Sentinel Risk office in New York, along with a note of explanation. He went rogue, and they cleaned house.”

“So it’s really over?” Amelia asks.

Bastien and I exchange a look.

“It’s a ‘probably’ not a ‘yes,’” I tell her honestly. “We won’t relax our guard.” I look at Bastien. “Was Natalie aware?”

“Natalie?” Amelia echoes, her brow furrowing.

“I don’t believe so, but I’ve kept her out of it.”

“Good,” I say. “Are you going to keep her?”

Bastien lets a smile curl his lips. “I haven’t quite decided what to do with her. A few ideas come to mind.”

“I’m sure they do,” I say dryly.

“Wait… what does Nat have to do with this?” Amelia asks.

“She’s a Volkov,” Bastien replies, then tilts his head. “Maybe not strictly. She’s not Russian.”

Amelia looks at me. “She’s a Volkov?”

“They blackmailed me to put someone close to Bastien,” I explain.

Her eyes narrow. “You mean they threatened you through me.”

“They tried,” I say with a smile. “It was to be a secret. Naturally, I told Bastien immediately.”

“We decided to play along,” Bastien says. “Natalie isn’t aware I know.”

“Keep your friends close…” I murmur.

“…and your enemies beneath you,” he finishes with a chuckle.

Amelia looks between us like we’re mad.

“You should go away for a while,” Bastien suggests. “Go off grid until you’re healed.”

I shake my head. “No. Amelia will hate that.”

“No, she won’t,” Amelia says firmly. “Not if I’m with you. We can go anywhere.”

Bastien smiles like we’re being cute. “I have a house in Coastal Maine, on the beach. It’ll be cold in April, but there’s a large hearth.”

“Does it have a pool?” I ask.

“It does, and enough rooms for a nurse to be on call around the clock.”

“I won’t need that.”

“Yes, you will,” Amelia says. “But I’ll be your nurse. We don’t want anyone else there.”

“I’m afraid you won’t be quite alone,” Bastien demurs. “I’ll be sending you Tony and Jorge until Lukas has fully recovered. They’ll be discreet.”