Page 64 of Her Courage

"Patrice," Mikhail confirmed. What he'd been told to watch for.

My hands clenched into fists. She'd tried to poison us. Actually poison us.

"Go," Mikhail urged. "I'll handle cleanup. Tell Sergei I'll report in later."

I didn't need to be told twice. I turned and strode toward the exit, my mind already racing ahead to home. To Lottie. To making sure she was safe and unharmed and⁠—

My phone buzzed. Kaleb.

Kaleb: She's crying. Won't stop. Asking about you. Please tell me you're okay.

My throat tightened as I climbed into the waiting car Oscar had circling the block.

Me: On my way. Five minutes.

I stared out the window as Portland streets blurred past, my reflection ghosting in the glass. Lottie's face swam in my mind—those stormy eyes wide with fear, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks as Colby carried her away.

She'd begged me not to get hurt.

Begged.

Our brave girl who'd faced down David's knife and Viktor's threats—she'd been terrified for me.

The car couldn't move fast enough.

When we finally pulled into the driveway, I was out before Oscar fully stopped, taking the front steps two at a time. The door flew open under my hand.

"Kroshka!" I called out.

"Andrei!" Her voice came from upstairs, choked with tears.

I found her in our bedroom, wrapped in Kaleb's arms as Colby sat beside them. All three turned as I entered.

Lottie launched herself at me, nearly knocking me backward as she threw her arms around my neck. Her legs wrapped around my waist instinctively, and I caught her, holding her tight as her body shook with sobs.

"I've got you," I murmured into her hair. "I'm here. I'm safe."

"You could have been hurt," she gasped against my neck. "Those men—what if they'd had guns—what if⁠—"

"Shh." I carried her to the bed, sinking down with her still clinging to me like a lifeline. "I'm fine. We're all fine."

Kaleb's hand settled on my shoulder, squeezing. "Mikhail?"

"Handled it," I confirmed. "Police have the men. The waiter talked. Patrice paid him to spike our drinks."

Colby cursed under his breath. "She actually tried to—Jesus fucking Christ."

"What was in them?" Kaleb's voice was deadly calm, the kind of calm that preceded violence.

"Don't know yet. Mikhail secured the evidence before authorities arrived. We'll have it tested."

Lottie pulled back just enough to look at me, her eyes red-rimmed and swollen. "She tried to hurt you. All of you."

"She tried," I agreed, wiping the tears from her cheeks with my thumbs. "But she failed. Thanks to you."

Her brow furrowed. "What? I didn't⁠—"

"You grabbed my wrist when I stood," I said. "Made enough noise that the men watching us hesitated. Gave Mikhail the opening he needed."