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Does it matter when she was never truly mine to begin with?
The thought would have brought me to my knees if I hadn’t already been sitting down.
I didn’t know how much time had passed or how long I sat there, staring at the floorboards, but eventually I gathered my phone and stood up. I had work to do. Starting with finding out how many allies we really had.
I silently went back to our bedroom and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, avoiding looking at the bed and Vanna. It had felt so real. I’d let myself believe that I could have everything. I should have stayed away.
My first call as soon as I was out of earshot of the room was to Liam, who answered with a scratchy voice heavy with sleep.
“Gabriel? What’s wrong? What time is it?”
I stalked through the dark house, not bothering to turn on any lights. “Gunner called. He found the person responsible for the assassination attempt on Dad. He sent through some files. Have a look at them, then meet me at the office.”
I didn’t wait for a reply, just hung up. After skimming through the files Gunner sent, I had no doubt about the Russian’s involvement. They’d had their hand in everything, buying up real estate and making deals with anyone they could.
And they’d gotten back into the cocaine trade. They’d also been meeting with a known human trafficker. This was everything we were trying to get away from. And they’d been working on this for a long time.
Their connections ran deep, their hold on Chicago getting stronger. And like the fool I was, I’d cemented their position by marrying the Russian princess.
I slid into my car, my hands trembling on the steering wheel. I felt like my insides were twisted into knots that tightened with each breath.
Once my phone connected to Bluetooth, I made another call. This time the person answering sounded anything but tired, and there was loud music in the background.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the new king of Chicago. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Grinding my molars, I bit back all the things Ireallywanted to say to Cian. “Meet me at the harbor in thirty minutes. We have to talk.”
“Can’t this wait until tomorrow? I have shit to do.”
“It can’t wait. Get your ass there, or I’ll come get you.”
“Fucking fine. Prick.”
He hung up, and I continued making calls until I pulled into the underground parking garage of the office. The building was dark. A glance at the time showed it was almost three in the morning.
When I walked into the empty reception area, I kept my gaze straight and moved to my office with sure strides. I didn’t bother closing the door; instead, I walked straight to my desk and took a seat.
My gaze fell on a picture of me and Vanna. Cleo had taken it and Vanna had printed two copies, one for home and one for my office. We were sitting outside, only our faces visible. She was kissing me, and I grinned at the camera. When she first gave it to me, I hadn’t recognized myself, the carefree and happy expression on my face not one I wore often.
What had signified our beginning had all been a lie.
I shot up with a roar and swept everything off my desk. The glass of the picture frame shattered, and papers fluttered to the floor. Not satisfied, I threw anything within reach, no matter if it was crystal, books, or a nearly full glass decanter. Next was the furniture.
I was in a rage and couldn’t stop. Because if I did, I knew the pain would settle in. And that couldn’t happen. I simply wouldn’t let it.
Strong arms gripped me, pulling me back from throwing the record player I’d had in my sights next.
I ended up pinned to the floor, both my brothers holding me down. Jude patted my cheek, then looked up into his phone. “Say cheese.” The camera flashed, and I howled with rage. The fucker ignored me, taking another picture before finally putting his phone away with a grin. “This feels like déjà vu. You trying to be like your big brother?”
Liam cuffed him on the head. “Don’t make it worse.”
“Get the fuck off me, you fuckers.”
Jude crossed his arms and raised a brow. “You soundexactlylike Liam did.”
I struggled underneath their tight hold, still furious, the need to destroy burning bright. Jude’s hold slipped, and I didn’t wait to buck him off me. Liam was next, and then I let a fist fly, landing a direct hit on Jude’s eye.
He stumbled back with a curse. “What the hell did you do that for?”
