14. Rose
ROSE
Family emergency?
What the hell does that mean?
I thought Mathew was lying when he said Beatie was sick, but the speed at which he left while dragging my father with him makes my blood run cold.
Maybe he was telling the truth and there's something wrong with my sister? Or my mother?
Not knowing drives me crazy and despite my best efforts, I'm distracted for the rest of the evening. Kon doesn't notice, or if he does then he doesn't comment on it.
He stays by my side while I wander the party in a worried daze until things start to wind down.
The harpist leaves, mingling guests who were invited to help make the party feel more real start to leave, and the lively music switches to low and slow as everything wraps up.
I leave Kon's side and spend twenty minutes in one of the studies with the girls hired to attend to the generals.
Despite all their best efforts, none of them has anything incriminating to tell me about their conversations, so I ensure they're handsomely paid and then it's up to Ethan to ensure they get home okay.
I return to the party with Calvin at my side, but he seems to understand my upset without even asking about it, and he hangs back as I return to the bar.
"Whiskey please," I say to the bartender. Not my usual drink, but I'm too impatient to wait for a cocktail. I need something instant to break apart the tension building in my chest.
Family emergency.
Would Mathew be that panicked if it was Beatie or Mom? Maybe. After all, without them, he loses control over me and then his entire plan falls apart.
My stomach twists into tight knots and I close my eyes as a wave of nausea creeps up the back of my throat.
If something's happened to them… who do I even blame?
Dad, for getting us into this hellish mess in the first place?
The Vasiliev brothers for their cruel, twisted games?
Or myself for not being better at this whole thing?
None of those answers feels right.
My drink is delivered, and the bartender steps away, granting me a small bubble of privacy. I grab my glass and take a large gulp, barely able to contain my cough as fire ignites down my throat and settles deep in my stomach.
"That's far too hard a drink for a little thing like you," comes an unfamiliar voice tripping over their words. A gust of alcohol-tinged breath collides with my face as I turn and come face to face with one of Kon's generals. His name escapes me for a moment and I stare into his pudgy face.
"You think so?" Despite everything, I have to maintain politeness with these generals. They're Kon's inner circle, with immense power and responsibility.
These are the people who keep the businesses running smoothly, who handle all the small discrepancies, hiring staff, protecting territories and ensuring all the money flows in the right direction.
"I know so," the general says, leaning heavily on the counter and chuckling. "You know what you should drink instead?"
He speaks as if he's got cotton stuffed into his cheeks and his tongue is trying to say something completely different. His heavy-lidded eyes sag slightly as he leans into.
"I'm sure you're about to tell me."
Suddenly, his heavy, hot hand lands on my thigh and squeezes as he sags against me with a lopsided grin. "My cock."
"Excuse me?!"
"Don't act so fuckin' shocked," he slurs.
"I've seen you flaunin' yourself all over the damn party, tryna catch my eye and let me tell you, you're too much woman for Konstanin.
Too much woman. Trust me." He hiccups abruptly and leans into me so heavily that the silver heron pin on his lapel digs into my shoulder.
"Please me now and when he tosses you away in the dirt, I'll sweep you away to a good li—"
"General Zangier." Calvin's sharp, deep voice cuts through the threat and barely contained anger threads through his words.
"You've had too much to drink." Calvin's hand darts between us and grabs Zangier's wrist, then pries his hand off my thigh.
"If you wish to see the sunrise, I very strongly suggest that you step away right now. "
"What the fuck?" The surprise on Zangier's face is second only to the dark fury on Calvin's and before the general can say anything else, Calvin practically drags him off the barstool and drags him away without another word.
Shit.
I don't know the protocol here. Should I have stood up for myself or would that have invited more danger?
Maybe I should have, but his disgusting touch and foul words are reminiscent of Mathew and his brothers, and I couldn't protect myself from them.
In the absence of everyone but the bartender, I finally let the tears come.
Only a couple warm my eyes but it's enough to ease the pressure in my chest as I gaze down at my glass.
Tonight… did not go as planned.
My talk with Dad was barely a talk at all. He just kept telling me how proud he was of me, how I was saving everyone and that it would be over soon.
Every time I asked about Mom or Beatie, he just stared at me blankly.
Come to think of it, he didn't seem all there. It was almost as if he was half asleep or something.
Did Mathew drug him?
Wishful thinking.
Dad has never been much for responsibility, not really.
I close my eyes and tears leak down my cheeks.
I have no answers, no way out of this, and I didn't even manage to help Kon find the culprit behind the leaks. And to top it all off, one of his generals thinks I'm easy.
"Rose?" Calvin's voice cuts through my thoughts like a warm ray of sun. "Are you alright?"
I open my eyes and nod while hastily wiping away the tears. "I'm fine. Just tired. It's been a long night."
"What Zangier did—"
"It's fine," I assure him again. "No big deal. No need to make an issue out of it. Dude was so drunk he probably thought I was someone else." And there's no telling what Kon would do if he found out. "I'm okay, I promise."
Calvin doesn't look entirely convinced but he doesn't press it any further. He lingers closer to me though, until I finish my drink and head upstairs to bed.
Entering our bedroom, the soft scent of soap and vanilla catches at my nose and as I close the door, the ensuite opens and Kon walks out. He's all pink and freshly showered, with his hair sticking up in every direction.
"Rose?"
The softness in his voice makes my heart melt and it's difficult not to give into the urge to cry once more. I flash him a smile, then glance at his uncovered wound.
"Let me take care of that again," I say, reaching for his hand.
Kon takes it as he walks past and I lead him toward the bed, where he sits in his towel. "The medical kit is in the bathroom," he says.
Locating it is easy. While in there, I discard my dress, scrub the makeup from my face, and dress in a soft nightie, then head back to where Kon remains obediently waiting on the bed.
"You look sad," Kon says as I slip into his lap and set the medical kit aside on the bed.
"I'm worried," I admit, though I have to maintain the lie. "I know if it was something serious, they would have called me to let me know. But not knowing is just as worrisome,"
"I understand." Kon's voice rumbles through the air toward me and he places both hands on my hips to help me balance while I clean around his wound and apply fresh gauze.
"I'm also really glad you came home safe. I was worried about that too. I didn't know… I mean, I know how this world works but I didn't know you had enemies this bold."
"Neither did I." Kon's thumbs rub soft, affectionate circles across my hips. "But I am safe."
"I know. I still worry, though. Also, I really think you should see a doctor about this." Covering the wound, I slowly tape the gauze into place.
"We have an in-house one," Kon replies. "I will see them tomorrow."
"Promise?" I glance up at him between tape placements.
"I promise." He sounds dead serious as well, and my heart lifts ever so slightly.
Once the wound is covered, I sag into his hold and tuck my arms against his chest so they end up caught between us. Kon's arms slide around my middle and up my back, holding me in a tight, firm embrace.
"Are you sure there is nothing I can help you with?"
I press my ear to his chest and close my eyes, simply listening to the thump of his strong heart. "Just don't die," I murmur, somewhat alarmed that the thought of him dying makes the urge to cry stronger than ever. "I don't want you getting hurt."
"I will not get hurt," he replies softly. "Ethan found a name on one of the men we killed and is confirming a few things so once I am satisfied, I will act."
"A name?" I slowly lift my head. "Do you think others will come after you?"
"Yes," Kon replies. "But I do not want you to worry."
"What name did you find?"
"It was…" Kon glances away as if searching his thoughts. "Vasiliev. Yes, Vasiliev. Ethan believes there are family members who may seek revenge which is ironic given the circumstances, but I am not concerned. I will kill them all if I have to."
His words barely reach me as a chill enters my veins and a roaring floods my eyes.
Vasiliev.
No wonder Mathew left abruptly.
This is bad.
This is really fucking bad.