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I take a good, long look around. Pretty soon, it won’t matter. I can start over. A new life, far away from everything.
My gut clenches.
And everyone, including Natasha.
I have no choice but to let her go.
A drizzle of sweat slips down my spine.
I still haven’t even told Val that I’m leaving. How can I tell her I’m disappearing when I’ve only just gotten back?
But the last thing I want to do is ruin the wedding with the ugly truth about why I need to get the hell out of this city.
I kick a stone along my path back to the front door, a frustrated sigh expelling from my lips.
I’d really expected more from my father than to turn the reins over to someone who is as deceptive and ruthless as Dima. He’s not fighting me to stay, though, so the decision has been made. Dima is the heir apparent.
I square my shoulders and settle against a large stone column in front of the house before grabbing my phone. I dial my brother Nikolai’s number.
“Hey,” I say when he answers.
“What’s going on? How’s the princess?”
“Well, she’s still alive, so that’s something.”
I recount the events of the attack, and he lets out a low whistle.
“Any idea who sent them?”
“Not a clue. But I was able to find a phone. I’m gonna need you to do some of your hacking magic. His face is pretty much busted, so I couldn’t use facial recognition to unlock it.”
“Not a problem.”
“I figured. And Val just called. She’s coming over tomorrow. Make sure you stick with her, okay? Someone is watching, and they’re gonna be back to make another attempt on Natasha’s life. I just don’t know when. And I don’t want anyone else to get caught in the crossfire.”
“I hope it’s tomorrow. I have an urge to kick some ass.”
“Yeah, me too.” I swipe at the beads of sweat on my forehead before bending over to grab a smooth white rock at my feet. “Hey, does Val seem okay to you?”
“Same pain in the ass as always. Why? Did she tell you something?”
“Nah. It’s just a feeling I got. I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong.” I toss the rock in my hand a couple of times before hurling it into the tall grasses in front of me. I wish I’d have had the rock when Dima showed up at my front door the other night. I’d have loved to take out one of his eyes. Or both of them. “Listen, I’ve gotta go, Nik. But keep all of this quiet, yeah? I don’t want Dima to know about the break-in until we get a better read on these guys.”
Nikolai scoffs. “Like I’d ever do something to give Dima the upper hand.”
I chuckle. “I had to say it.”
“Your secret’s safe with me.”
“Good. I’ll see you tomorrow. Keep your eyes and ears peeled.”
I use the bottom of my T-shirt to mop the sweat off of my face as I jog up the steps.
A welcome rush of cool air hits me once I step inside the house. I slam the front door shut, setting the alarm and the locks in a series of beeps and clicks.
“Do you really think it matters?”
I twist around to see Natasha standing behind me in the foyer, her arms folded over her chest. She takes a few steps toward me. “I mean, you were able to get into my bedroom at home, right? And my father’s house is like Fort Knox, too.”
