Chapter 25
Duke
“Sorry, but I insist,” Maddie says. “The griffin is a work of art. I have to pay you.”
Grace looks even more flustered than she did when she emerged from the bathroom.
Maddie and Hunter haven’t made a single innuendo about what Grace and I might have been doing in there, but that could be because I threatened to punch Hunter if he embarrassed her.
That on its own wouldn’t normally be enough to silence the bastard, but his wife backed me up and he is frightened of her.
“It was a gift,” Grace insists to Maddie.
Ed had arranged for the toy to be couriered over to the Griffins’ offices this morning, and the couple had taken it upon themselves to thank Grace personally. At least that’s the story they’re trying to sell for their impromptu visit.
I’m sitting directly opposite Hunter at the conference table, and he’s been quietly observing Grace and I while Maddie does most of the talking. His scrutiny hasn’t gone unnoticed by Grace and she keeps shifting in her seat.
I stretch my arm across the back of her chair. “A thousand dollars,” I say. “Donated to a charity of Grace’s choice.”
“Deal,” Maddie says before Grace can object. “Just be prepared for more orders.” She looks to Hunter when she adds, “Once Mace sees it, he’s going to want one.”
“There might be a bit of a wait,” Grace warns. “I’m working on a dress for Katarina’s party at the moment.”
“I hear you’re organizing it,” says Hunter far too casually. “I’m surprised Katarina wanted your help after what happened at Brimstage.”
Grace turns to me, but I don’t meet her gaze. I hold Hunter’s. “We’ve reached an understanding.”
Maddie beams a smile at Grace. “I need to see this dress you’re making.”
As Grace shows Maddie photos of her work in progress, Hunter tugs on his cuffs, lining them up with the sleeves of his suit jacket. “We’re still waiting for our invites.”
“I hate to disappoint you, but Katarina doesn’t want you there.”
Hunter cocks his head, like he must have misheard. “I would have thought you had a say in who’s allowed access to your family home.”
Grace and Maddie settle back in their seats. The conversation is about to get serious.
“I do have a say,” I reply, keeping my tone as icily pleasant as Hunter’s. “And I say it would be a mistake for the Griffins to be seen socializing with Katarina the day before she makes her bid for freedom.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about that,” Hunter pushes back. “The plan is watertight.”
The plan in question involves Katarina sneaking out of the Excelsior on Sunday morning just before the wedding ceremony.
She’s going to steal a souped-up car parked conveniently outside the main entrance and by the time the Bratva catch up, a cloned car will have swapped places with her.
A stunt driver has been employed to drive the car off a cliff, Thelma and Louise style.
The car, complete with a body from the morgue, will explode on impact and Mace will work his tech-magic to ensure the remains are identified as Katarina’s.
“You’re still not going to the party, Hunter,” I repeat, and as an afterthought, I add, “Sorry.”
And I do feel some remorse. I like the Griffins. I like Hunter and I owe a debt of gratitude to Ash. That’s part of the reason why I can’t tell them about Fitz. They must surely be battle-weary after everything their family’s been through. I need to stand firm.
“You’re going to have to vet everyone who attends,” Hunter warns.
“All the attendees are people we know.”
Hunter’s mouth twists. “Of course they would be. It’s not like Katarina has any friends of her own.”
“She does have friends,” Grace says.
Hunter snaps his gaze towards her, sensing an opportunity to gather information he won’t get from me. “Oh? Like who?”
“Like me.”
It’s not the answer Hunter was expecting, and I’m quietly impressed Grace is standing up to him. I stroke my thumb across her shoulder blades. If she wants to take him on, I have her back.
“Once you get past her scary exterior, she’s as vulnerable as any other woman who’s been used and abused her entire life,” Grace explains.
“And under different circumstances, she’s someone I would have liked to know better.
” She directs the next comment to Maddie, who looks just as perplexed as Hunter.
“She’s not as heartless as she wants everyone to think. ”
Grace has a point. I know better than anyone that a tough exterior is the perfect camouflage.
It’s impossible to tell from Hunter’s closed expression if he’s been convinced by Grace’s argument, so she tries Maddie instead. “She’s damaged, but she’s not broken. And if she hits out, it’s because she’s expecting to be hit first.”
“You should come visit the women’s refuge we’ve just established,” Maddie replies. “Some of the stories I’ve heard are unimaginable. We make allowances where we can, but bad experiences don’t excuse bad behavior, Grace.”
“Which is why Katarina needs people around her who can point out when she’s behaved inappropriately,” Grace insists. She isn’t backing down.
“And that’s you?” Hunter asks.
“Katarina trusts me, and I think that’s something that doesn’t happen very often. She’s said she doesn’t want your family at the party.”
“And we’re respecting her wishes,” I add.
Hunter huffs out a sigh. “In case it needs pointing out, Katarina always works to her own agenda.”
“We know,” I say. Saturday proved that.
While Katarina is keeping to our plan to ensure Fitz’s return, it’s evident the lengthy engagement has been solely for her benefit.
Her so-called hairdresser is important to her.
Grace wasn’t able to provide much of a description other than he was maybe thirty years old with blond hair and brown eyes.
An unusual combination. She also said his American accent had a twang that she couldn’t quite place.
I have a theory about him, but it’s so far-fetched that I’m not sure even I believe it.
“Are the Bratva invited to the party?” asks Hunter.
“They’ll have a limited presence. Katarina’s bodyguards and maybe a couple more,” I say. The extras I’m expecting are the ones turning up with Fitz. “Another reason for you to stay away. It would only antagonize Vasili’s men.”
“They do seem to be getting twitchy,” Hunter agrees. “I heard there was some trouble on Saturday.”
I move my thumb back and forth over Grace’s shoulder blades, as much for my comfort now as it is hers. “It was just her over-zealous bodyguards. I’m surprised you heard about it.”
“And I’m surprised you didn’t tell us.”
“It was a non-event, Hunter.”
“It was an anomaly. And we don’t like those.”
I glare at him in response. I don’t like that the Griffins are pulling at loose threads. If we’re not careful, the entire fucking plan is going to unravel.
“The Bratva detected the presence of the Irish mafia,” Hunter continues, stating facts he shouldn’t know. The Russians use high-level encryption that, as far as I’m aware, Mace has never been able to break. “But from the information we have, there was no one nearby.”
“Have you asked the McConkeys?” This snippet of information is almost worth the unexpected visit.
“Killian says it wasn’t them.”
Killian McConkey is second in command to his father, who runs the Irish mafia from Las Vegas. He’s key to the friendship the Griffins have formed with his family. Killian goes even further back with Ash than Rory does.
“Do you believe him?” Grace asks, seeking reassurance. She wants to believe Katarina’s bodyguards were overreacting, which is why I haven’t told her my suspicions.
“You tell me, Grace,” Hunter says as he leans forward, resting his elbows on the table and giving her his full attention. “Your best friend, Katarina did meet someone in the restaurant, didn’t she?”
I move my hand to Grace’s lap and she takes it gratefully. I don’t like how Hunter is making her uncomfortable. I match his pose and lean across the table. “Is that what brought you here, Hunter?”
“Sooner or later, you’re going to have to trust us with the truth,” Hunter says carefully. “And that needs to be before we put our necks on the line to help Katarina.”
“Or else?” It sounds like a threat. “Are you going to walk away so I’m forced to marry her? Is Ash going to leave me to the mess he created?” I shake my head. “How will his friendship with Rory fare knowing you left the door wide open for the Bratva to get inside our company?”
“Damn it, Duke,” Hunter grits out. “Rory is just as concerned as we are that you’re not giving us the whole picture.” He turns back to Grace. “The hairdresser. What did he look like?”
“Enough!” I snap. I don’t want anyone else to make the same connections I’ve been slowly making. I need to speak to Katarina first. I need her assurance that the man she’s been stringing us all along for isn’t going to show up at the party and blow all our plans to hell. I need my brother home.
Maddie puts a hand on Hunter’s arm. “May I remind you both that you’re on the same side?” she says looking to each of us in turn. “Duke, I’m guessing there’s a good reason you can’t say more. You’re a good man. So is my husband. So are his brothers,” she states. “We don’t want anyone getting hurt.”
“Neither do I,” I say.
I just have to hold everything together for one more week and six days. That’s all.