Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Maybe they were both complicit.
I feel like I'm going to be sick.
Nikko is about an arm’s length away. I give him a quiet little gesture, even as my brother and his friends head over to me.
“You alright?”
“I know them.”
“Shit,” he mutters. “You still don’t want a drink?”
I shake my head. “Would love to change my mind, but no. I’m good.”
“I can stay—”
“Go,” I hiss. Draw in a deep breath and square my shoulders.
When Nikko heads to a side table holding some canapes, my brother reaches me. "There you are.”
His two friends give me the once-over and nod. Marco Vittori has a shaved head and a ragged scar running down the right side of his face, along with coal-black eyes. His buddy Leonardo is not quite as tall and much leaner. He looks away when I look at him.
I give my brother a tight-lipped smile and nod. “Saul. How are you?”
“Oh cut the shit, Harper,” he says in a low voice, as he scans the room. “You can dress up all you want, but I know who the fuck you are.”
My smile broadens because I know who the fuck I am, too. “Where did you all go? Aleksandr went to pay you a visit and found the home vacant.”
He can’t hide the look of panic in his eyes. Yeah, that’s right, asshole, my scary-as-fuck husband came looking for you. Better be on the lookout.
He covers up his fear with a shrug.
"I have no idea. I haven't been home in a month. I had shit to do. Think I want to hang around with Mommy and Daddy?" One of his buddies laughs, and a chill skates down my spine. I know that laugh. I know that fucking laugh. And when I look again at Leonardo, and he looks back at me… I see my daughter’s eyes.
My blood runs cold. Against everything in me, I reach out a hand and lean in, lowering my voice. “Leonardo, isn’t it? So glad you could come. Gentlemen, please excuse me.”
I turn away and tamp down the nausea in my belly.
I text Aleksandr.
"It's the one in the navy suit with a red tie to my brother’s left. You don't have to test anything. I know it’s him.”
I don't think anybody else in that room would feel the difference in temperature. But I do.
Aleks’s response is immediate and chilling.
“Bait him. Isolate him. I’ll do the rest.”
No he fucking will not, but I’ll let him have his fun.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Harper
“You look familiar,” I say to Leonardo. “I know you came by the house when I was younger, but I can’t shake the feeling we were out somewhere together once.”
I tap the comm in my ear to make sure it’s working.
“Good,” Aleks says. “Keep going.”
“I don’t think so,” Leonardo says, but the nervous twitch of his hands and the way his eyes flit over to my brother confirm his guilt.
Aleks talks in my ear again. “He was there the night of the party. You say there’s no testing needed, but I’ve lined up a lab that will do a DNA test on the spot. Get a DNA sample and we’re golden.” There’s a pause. “Eliminates any possible guilt, Harper.”
He’s thinking of my feelings.
And yet… Oh, sure, fine. Get a DNA sample, as simple as walking across the room.
“It’s not that hard,” Aleks whispers. “You just need some blood.”
Alright, that didn’t exactly alleviate my fears, Aleksandr. God.
I nod to myself, though, because I can do this.
“Bring him outside. There are fewer people there and it’s a quieter setting. Fewer witnesses.”
Okay, alright. I’ve got this. I can do this.
I raise my voice, thankful I’ve learned to speak when under pressure without showing any fear. “There’s a bar outside, gentlemen. I’m going to get some fresh air and a drink.” I give Saul a challenging look as if daring him to talk down to me again. “Join me?”
Saul looks around the room. “Where’s your husband?” he asks, shifting nervously. I have to assure them he isn’t outside. “He’ll be coming into the ballroom shortly. He and his brothers went to secure the artwork we’ll be auctioning tonight.”
I walk ahead of them with confidence and grace, as if I assume they’ll be following. Who am I? Who is this woman?
I catch Polina’s eye from the bar. It appears she’s leaning into the whole Elsa thing, because she looks as if she’s about to set foot on the set for Disney on Ice in her ice-blue gown, her blonde hair hanging down her back. She gives me a wink, and it’s all I need.
I belong to this family now. They love me. I can do this.
And if that isn’t enough, I happen to see Ekaterina a few paces ahead. She’s holding a flute of champagne, a gracious smile on her face. She pauses when she sees me. “If you’ll excuse me, my new daughter-in-law is here.” She turns to face me. “You and Aleksandr have done a truly amazing job, Harper.” Her gaze fills with strength and warmth. “I am so proud.”