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Chika shoved past and was on me.
I sucked in a shocked breath as she slammed me down to the floor, knocking me from the chair. She kicked me in the ribs hard and pinned my arms to my side as she lifted the knife in the air.
“I won’t let you,” she said.
Another deafening gunshot. This time, red gore spouted from Chika’s mouth. Her hands released the knife and it fell to the carpet harmlessly. Two more shots ripped through her chest and I shoved her aside as she slumped over, bleeding and lifeless.
Redmond was on the floor, gun in his hand. His lips were pulled back in a grimace.
I ran to him and knelt by his side. “Are you okay?” I touched his injury.
He shrugged me off. “I should be asking you that.”
“I’m fine. She didn’t hurt me.” Which was true—aside from the bruised ribs, I was okay.
The room was in chaos as I made sure Redmond wasn’t bleeding. The lawyers were freaking out while Cosima watched calmly. Once I was sure Redmond would be okay, I got up, walked to the table, grabbed a pen, and signed the contract while Chika bled at my feet.
“Done,” I said, pushing it toward Cosima.
She smiled. “Done,” she said, nodding.
“What in all the fucking hell,” Fairfax said.
I helped Redmond to his feet. We pushed past several cowering lawyers. I smiled sweetly at them and winked at Alan. He smiled back, wiping his bald head with handkerchief.
In the hall, Redmond leaned against my shoulder. He limped slightly as we headed toward the elevators. Several of the staff and partners were frantically calling the police.
“I’ll have a lot to clean up after this,” Redmond said with a sigh.
“Think you can manage it, or do you need my help?” I grinned at him.
He laughed and kissed me. I stopped to take it in, to savor his lips and his taste.
Our first kiss as equals.
“Oligarch,” he said when we broke apart. “We’re going to be terrifying together.”
“We already are.”
I shoved through the crazed and terrified people and called an elevator. Redmond got on, looking grateful.
We rode away from the chaos together.
Chapter 30
Erin
One Year Later
The familiar driveway looked strange.
It’d been a long time since I was home. The manor was unchanged: the same porch, the same columns, the same trimmed and perfect hedges, but it seemed altered somehow, like once it’d been inviting, but now it was all a sick facade covering the darkness beneath it.
Likely always had been that way, but it took building my own life to realize it.
Palm parked out front and killed the engine. The house looked quiet. Redmond squeezed my hand.
“You sure about this?” he asked.
“It’s been long enough. I think it’s time.”
“We don’t have to.”
“I know. You keep saying that.”
“Because I mean it. We can turn around and go home right now.”
I shook my head and kissed his cheek. “I love you, Redmond. But I need to go inside and face my family.”
He sighed. “I love you too. Let’s get this over with.”
He got out and I followed. Palm stood leaning against the hood, checking her nails. “You two okay?” she asked. “Anyone in there need killing?”
“Not right now,” I said. “But stay nearby.”
She grinned and saluted. Over the last year, I’d grown to really like her. One day I hoped we’d become friends for real, but Palm could be difficult to pin down, and besides, Redmond was constantly sending her on jobs that kept her away for weeks at a time. He had another assignment coming up, one out in California. That might last a while.
I hesitated before I walked to the front door. I looked at the ring on my finger and took a deep breath.
I had to remember that I was the wife of an Oligarch and an Oligarch in my own right. I had a seat at the table now. I was Darren’s equal.
Mother couldn’t scold me anymore, not that she had in a long time.
But still.
“I was a mess the last time I was home.”
He paused and looked back. “You’re not a mess now.”
“No, I’m not. Back then I needed my phone to cope. The screen quieted my brain.”
“You don’t need it anymore?”
“Not since we got married.”
His smile sent a spark into my stomach. “You don’t know how good that makes me feel.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.” I slipped my hand into his arm and let him lead me up the steps. “I’m just saying, I was really broken back then. I’m afraid that’s all they’ll remember.”
“You’re an Oligarch now.” He stopped and kissed me, touching my cheek gently. “You don’t have to be afraid of anything.”
“I know that.”
“You’re also the smartest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and I’ll burn this stupid house to the ground if they don’t see you for what you are.”
