THIRTY-ONE
MRS. LYANOV
I don’t understandwhy she wants none of her family here aside from Seamus, but I’m not going to push it.
Her tension is a living, breathing entity. One wrong move and it’ll blow.
Perhaps that’s why.
With family, she will allow herself to soften. To weaken. She can’t afford that yet.
The days ahead will be interesting. She’s bound to snap. It’s a matter of when, not if.
“You sure you shouldn’t ask the O’Donnellys to attend?”
“She said not to so I’m not inviting them.”
“We have more at stake here.”
“No, we don’t. Once we’re married, the ties between our families will truly be set in stone. If anything, there’s less at stake.” I rub my chin, interest split between him and the bathroom beyond where the shower’s still running. “Any news on the mole?”
“You won’t like it.”
“I like none of this situation. So, continue. Make my night.”
“It’s neither the shop assistant who handled your order nor the delivery driver who passed the package over to our men.”
“Meaning it’s someone on the inside.” I clench my teeth. “I hopedthe days of the mafia being infiltrated by secret societies would be over and we’d all just be brutal criminals with money on our minds.”
“A pipe dream,” Misha mocks.
“Apparently.”
“The Veronians have grown stronger in the vacuum?—”
I raise a hand. “Powerful entities come and go.”
“This one hasn’t. It has been around for centuries. Biding its time. Waiting to strike.”
My eyes roll. “You believe their lore too much.”
“Perhaps you don’t believe in it enough. Have you heard Harrington when he talks about this shit? Heard more than the answers he gives you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“These people have been around since the birth of the USA, Maxim. The scope of their plans doesn’t cover days and months, but decades and centuries.”
“And yet, the children of brothers aren’t safe?” I glance at him. “How often have you been talking to Harrington?”
“Often. You’re focused on Victoria. I’m focused on what she’ll bring to the table once she’s on board.” He spreads his hands. “I admit I underestimated her. She’ll be no pampered princess once she’s your wife.”
“About time you saw the forest for the trees.” I hide a smirk when he glowers at me. “You think she’ll get in?”
“She was a shoo-in when they gave her that damn cloak.”
“Why would they test her so thoroughly?”
“To ensure she’ll live up to the hype. Makes sense. Learning how far someone will bend until they snap is useful before you give them a position of power. Especially with her. Women are usually only inducted to encourage advantageous matches.
