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“You know our laws. You know family tradition stands taller than all else. I make Alena mine. I’m married to the heir, and when she’s ready, I’ll slip her back into that family as Aleksander withers away.”
“I know you. You won’t let her go back.”
“Maybe not,” I admit. “Not until it was safe and she wanted to.”
“And her wants matter?”
“To a point. Maybe she’ll become so attached it won’t even matter.”
“And your other path?” Nastja asks softly, rolling her eyes slightly at my comment.
“I get a good fuck and end up with a bullet in my skull.” A dark laugh pulls from me, and Nastja snorts her amusement.
The chances of that happening are slim, but I’m aware of every risk. I’d be a fool to think I’m safe. Alena is the most important diamond in the entire family, and while Aleksander and Mara may forget to love their daughter beyond swamping her with gifts, they care. They care because the power of her betrothal holds more power than the average paper contract, and Mikhail’s family will likely be on the lookout too.
I need to keep her hidden.
“Well, you know Ivan and I are with you no matter what.” She steps over the body, and her thin arms encircle my shoulder, dragging me into a familiar hug I rarely return. “Just be careful.”
“I will.” I press a chaste kiss to her cheek, and we break apart. “I need you to take care of him” —I kick the dead driver— “and the limo. Make sure if it’s found, it can’t lead back to us.”
“What do you take me for?” Nastja says dryly, pulling a pair of black gloves from her pockets. “You call me, not Ivan.”
“I also need you to swing by Gemini. Anything that shows me, Alena, or Katja, I need that gone. Check out the bouncer tonight, too. I don’t think he’s a risk, but I’m not taking any chances.”
“Got it.” Nastja finishes covering the driver’s seat with the tarp and then leans on the door. “Watch my car for me?”
“Sure.”
“Alright, I’ll text you when I’m done.”
“No. Call me. No trace.”
“You really are paranoid. Got it.” She waggles her fingers at me, then slides into the limo. I swiftly gather the driver’s body and load it into the back of the limo, slamming the door and patting the roof. Nastja takes her cue and backs slowly out of the garage, and I watch her until the limo’s lights disappear around the curve in the road.
He’ll be fish food by morning.
After giving Nastja’s car a once-over, I head back inside and make a beeline for the study. The sudden wariness in my heart melts away at seeing Alena exactly as I left her, still fast asleep and tied up. I linger for a few minutes until a creeping tiredness gets the better of me and I head upstairs. By the time I wash up and collapse into bed, I’m ready to fall asleep, but before I do, I set up my phone to watch Alena. Watching her soothes me, and as much as I ache to be near her, I can’t be there when she wakes up.
A little fear will do her good.
13
ALENA
Pain, dull and throbbing, skips through my skull the moment I wake up.
There’s pressure, like a ponytail pulled too tightly for too long, and I wince faintly. Despite waking up, the allure of more sleep is almost too much to resist, and I try to roll over, but pressure against my wrists and ankles prevents me. My limited movement brings my sluggish attention to an ache in my shoulders, so I roll them and try to roll over once more.
Something is stopping me.
Opening my eyes, I expect to see the ornate ceiling of my bedroom above me, complete with my floral lampshade and gold trim around the edge of the room. Instead, a ceiling of large, stone grey tiles greets me, separated by several soft, twinkling lights that force my eyes closed once more. I screw up my face and groan, then immediately regret it as my rough throat and cotton mouth drag against one another.
Fuck.
I’m never drinking again.
It takes three attempts to open my eyes fully, and immediately, I regret it.
