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“Burning roses?”
Mikhail is confused, and I shrug. “It’s all in the diary and it’s yours if you let me go.”
He says nothing and an ominous silence stretches between us, and I wonder if I’ve angered him. He definitely doesn’t look happy and then his arm appears fast out of nowhere and he grips my wrist and says roughly, “The diary will be mine and only then will I consider what happens to you.”
“But–” I gasp as he tightens his hold, and he nods toward the exit.
“Time’s up. Our meeting is adjourned and when I ask you a question again, you will tell me every fucking detail.”
“I have.” I gasp as his hold tightens, and he shakes his head.
“You are still drowning in demons, Lilli. Any fool can see that, and I want to meet every fucking one of them before I even consider letting you go, which is looking less likely with every hour that passes.”
“But–” I open my mouth to speak, and he completely ignores me and pulls me from the chair and anchors me to his side, nodding to one of the men at the next table before we leave—without even settling the fucking cheque.
CHAPTER 19
MIKHAIL
Why does this woman anger me so much? She lied to me. Why? It’s set me back on my mission and I don’t take kindly to that.
The most urgent thing right now is to meet with Damien and sort this shit out.
My car purrs into life almost immediately and I waste no time in pulling away from Crystal’s diner, adamant that was the last time we ever eat there. No more Mr. Nice guy. I was bored with him, anyway. Now we have purpose and Lilli is about to discover what wolf knocked at her door.
We say nothing on the journey back and Lilli has retreated into her shell, which is probably the best place for her right now.
As soon as we vacate the garage and head into the elevator, I press for a different floor this time.
Katerina is waiting as soon as the doors open and I snap, “Take Lilli and arrange her stay. She will be needing everything. Make sure she gives you no trouble. You have my permission to restrain her if necessary.”
“What the–” Lilli’s furious face is the last thing I see as I jab the door to the elevator shut and head to the floor where my den is. My place of business. The engine room of my organization and, as expected, Damien is already waiting for me.
He senses my mood and says nothing and as we take our customary seats, he listens as I snap. “Iris Mahoney is connected to the term Burning Roses. I’m thinking it’s either a code name or a business. Find out what you can and make it your top priority.”
He nods and makes his usual notes in the leather notebook that must contain a million deadly secrets. It reminds me of Reggie’s diary, and I snarl, “Find out what you can about Mickey Gruber and his wife. They are running some kind of operation from their home and Lilli may be connected to it.”
I hate how that makes me feel inside. Knowing she is hurting angers me, and I don’t know why.
Damian adds, “News just in, Carter Lamont’s license has been revoked.”
“That’s the first bit of good news I’ve had all day.”
It makes me smile and Damien grins. “Apparently, Governor Walton discovered a clause that made the land off limits to development or commerce. It is protected and there are no other alternatives, so the project has been scrapped.”
“Good.”
I’m happy that the governor moved fast and I’m guessing that Carter’s good mood of yesterday has been replaced by a fight for survival. By the time I’ve finished with him, he will be joining the homeless in the shop doorway, minus his cock.
Damien consults his notebook and says casually, “There is trouble at the oil refinery.”
“There’s always trouble at the oil refinery.”
I sigh heavily. “What now?”
“The usual,” Damien growls. “Protestors.”
“Then send some of the guys. There are more important items on my agenda.”
