Marguerite’s mouth tightened. “They’re already here.”
“No. They sent their regards but they just couldn’t make it,” Targen taunted.
Virginia touched her sister’s arm. “Marguerite…”
“Shut up,” Marguerite hissed, like she had it all together.
But the men who had entered with her suddenly looked less like soldiers and more uncertain.
Prime looked at one of them. “We gave you options. You can still make a smart choice.”
The man swallowed.
Marguerite spun on him. “Stand down, and I’ll kill you myself.”
Unconvinced, the man dropped his gun. One by one, the others followed. The sound of metal hitting the polished floor was loud but beautiful. Marguerite stared at them in disbelief. “Cowards,” she hissed.
Prime smiled. “No, not cowards. Employees.”
My jaw dropped.
Oh.
Oh.
So, this wasn’t an attack. This was a trap, and Marguerite Armstrong had walked right into it. Targen glanced back at me. His eyes met mine for one second. That was all the confirmation I needed.
“You knew,” I whispered.
“Yeah.”
“You let her come here?”
“Yeah.”
“To my cousin’s reception?” My voice was incredulous.
His mouth tightened. “My best friend agreed. We controlled the room.”
“You controlled the room,” I repeated slowly.
“Milaya—”
“You controlled the room. Oh. Okay! In that case, it’s all good!”
I let go of him. His eyes narrowed like he was trying to figure me out. I grilled him hard as fuck, so he didn’t have to guess how I was feeling.
Marguerite’s voice interrupted the moment. “No. No, this is some trick. They wouldn't walk away. They want him dead. They want all of you dead.”
Her finger pointed at Sergei. He looked almost amused. “They want to stay un-dead more.”
“They said?—”
“They lied,” Targen cut in coldly. “They fed you just enough to make you reckless and stupid. You were always expendable. And now that they realize how serious my family is, they’re showing you just how expendable you are.”
Marguerite’s face twisted as Virginia made a small sound.
Targen continued. “They traded you.”
