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I clear my throat. “She’s Liliya Vasiliev.”

He slumps down on the stool beside him, reaching for his whiskey. He throws it back, then slams the empty tumbler onto the counter hard enough to make me flinch. For a second, he just sits there, breathing like he’s been punched.

“I’m sorry, Vin.” I adjust my glasses. “I know this must be a shock to you, but—”

“She played me,” he whispers, his voice breaking as shock settles over him.

“What?”

He glances up at me, his bright blue eyes darkening. “It was all just a game to her.”

I tap my knuckles on the counter, signaling for the bartender to get Vin another drink. “Why would you think that?”

“She knew who I was that night when we…” He stands so fast the stool nearly scrapes back, slamming his palms onto the counter. His chest heaves, his muscles tightening beneath his white shirt, and then he goes deathly still, like he’s barely holding himself together.

I arch a brow. “What is it?”

“They’re going to sell her,” he breathes, panic stripping the color from his face. “Her fucking brothers are going to sell her.”

I shake my head. “They don’t have her. You said so yourself.”

“But they’re looking for her.” He straightens, sweat shining on his temple. His wide eyes dart around the room as he tugs on his tie, looking frantic now. “I have to find her first.”

“You will,” I say. “I’ll help—”

“I need some air.” He shoves off the bar and strides toward the back exit, where a guard props the door open for him.

A few seconds later, Charlotte appears by my side, pressing her palm to my chest as she watches Vin disappear.

“I take it that didn’t go well?” she asks.

“No.” I sigh, dragging my fingers through my hair. “It didn’t.”

“I don’t know Liliya that well, but she was nothing but kind to me. And I don’t think she would disappear without having a reason to.” Her brows furrow together in concentration. “Maybe she’s scared.”

“Maybe.” I press a kiss to her forehead.

Her eyes drift over to the door. “Even from where I was sitting, I could see the look in his eyes.”

I raise a brow. “The look?”

“Yeah.” She glances up at me. “The ‘I’m going to burn the world down for her’ look.” She shifts, pressing herself against me. “It’s the same look you have quite frequently in your eyes.”

I grin, wrapping a hand around her waist as I tug her alongside my chest. “If you want me to burn the world down for you, just say the word, and I’ll light the match.”

She laughs softly and then rests her head against my chest, her attention on the exit. “You’ll help him find her. Won’t you?”

I nod, gliding the tips of my fingers down her back. “There’s nothing I won’t do for my brother, so yes, I’m going to help him find her.” I release a sigh. “We have a name. So, at least that’s something to work with.”

She stands on her tiptoes and presses a kiss to my lips, her fingers curling into my shirt. “You have a kind heart, Alex. It’s one of the things I love most about you.”

I cup her cheek, my finger gliding against her skin. “Don’t tell anyone. It would ruin my image.”

She smiles softly, her eyes holding mine. “Let’s go home.”

I brush my lips against hers. “You took the words right out of my mouth, Fiorellina.”

Chapter thirty-seven