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"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 myfeelings.
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 andAleksandr have done a truly amazing job, Harper.” Her gaze fills with strength and warmth. “I am so proud.”
I hear the undertone in her voice even before she leans in to whisper in my ear.
“You can do this. Hold your head high. One step at a time, darling.”
She kisses my cheek and turns back to her friends.
Buoyed by Polina’s and Ekaterina’s presence and their confidence in me, I look over my shoulder to make sure the men are following me. Saul is right behind me, looking increasingly uneasy, and his two stupid friends follow right behind him.
I’ll have to get rid of Marco.
