Chapter 43
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
THORA
By the next afternoon, we’re back in New Jersey.
The farm looks exactly the same, even though I feel so changed that the whole world should look different too. Anton parks near the bed-and-breakfast, but he doesn’t get out, knowing I need to talk to the guys before I grab my things.
“I’ll be right back.”
His fingers remain laced with mine, and he gives them a brief squeeze before letting go.
I get out of the car and start toward the stables, but I only make it a few steps before Boone emerges with Charlie beside him, both of them slowing the second they see me.
Boone’s easy smile fades first. “You okay? You kind of look like shit.”
Charlie cuts him a glare, which Boone, of course, ignores.
“I’m fine.” I wave off his concern. “But I’ll be gone for a few days. Taking some time off.”
Charlie studies my face. “All right. But if you need anyone to talk to, I’m here.”
“Me too,” Boone throws in.
“Thank you both.” I look between them, trying to make my smile feel real enough to keep them from worrying. “Really. I appreciate it, but I’m okay. I promise. I’ve got Anton.”
Something flickers across Charlie’s face before he smooths it away. “That’s good.”
“Yeah, anyway, I need to pack some things.” Before I head for the house, I glance back toward the stables. “If there’s anything you need, the ranch foreman will be here, and I’m sure Greer will be flying back soon too.”
“Don’t worry about us.” Boone waves off my concern. “We can handle things until she gets back.”
“Okay. Thanks. I’ll see you guys.”
They both wave goodbye while I return to the car, and Anton drives me up toward the house.
When the vehicle stops, he looks over at me. “I can go in with you if you want.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I’ll be quick. I’ll just throw some of my things into my duffel.”
“Take your time.”
With a heaviness in my chest, I get out and make my way to the door, ringing the bell instead of using my key.
One of the staff opens it, surprise crossing her face. “Ms. Whitlock, did you lose your key?”
“Something like that.”
My mouth forms a thin line as I head upstairs, ignoring the photos of my family lining the walls. Every single one hurts more than the last because now they all feel like a lie.
But if Mama and Daddy had told me years ago, would I have understood, or would I have spent my whole childhood hating them?
The truth is, I don’t know which option would have hurt less.
With a sigh, I step inside my room. My bed is still made, everything exactly where I left it, and a sharp ache hits my chest because it feels like I’m trespassing on my own life.
I yank my duffel from the closet and shove clothes inside without caring what matches, followed by a few pairs of shoes, toiletries, chargers, and anything else I might need.
When I’m done, I head downstairs and stop in front of one of the family photos on the wall, a painful throb settling behind my ribs before I force myself to step outside and leave it behind.
As soon as Anton sees me, he gets out and takes the duffel from me, putting it in the trunk before turning back to me. “Are you okay?”
“No.” I shrug, a little smile touching my face. “But you being here helps.”
His hand lifts to my cheek. The second his thumb brushes my skin, my mind goes back to that field, to sunlight and lavender and his mouth on mine for the first time.
No matter what else happened yesterday, I wouldn’t change that part for anything.
His other arm slides around my waist, drawing me in as he stares down at me, his mouth lowering to mine. And when he kisses me this time, it’s slow, almost reverent. Like the quiet before the storm comes barreling in.
When I grip the front of his shirt, a deep rumble vibrates through his chest, and the kiss turns more desperate, as though we can already feel the storm gathering around us and still can’t make ourselves stop.
ANTON
I hated leaving Thora alone at my place. Even with the guards everywhere, it still felt wrong. I should be there with her, but instead, I’ve been summoned to a meeting.
It wasn’t optional, believe me. I tried. But Konstantin wanted me there, which could either be good or bad.
By the time I reach one of our gambling clubs, irritation has already made a permanent home in my chest, and it only gets worse when I walk through the private entrance and find my brothers seated around the back room with Arkady and Mikhail already there like they belong in our space.
How the hell do I get rid of them?
The twins are sitting side by side near the end of the table, both leaning back with the same lazy arrogance they’ve had since we were kids.
A lot about them is different, especially their personalities, but when they want to mess with people, they know how to become each other perfectly. They did it all the time when we were younger. Sometimes even their parents couldn’t tell them apart.
Even now, the easiest way to know which one is which is from the neck down.
Each has the same dark hair and blue eyes, same scorpion tattoo inked over the right hand.
But where Arkady has a black angel of death spread across his back, Mikhail has a snake coiled along his spine with a tombstone for each one of his victims.
When they spot me, Arkady’s mouth twitches, while Mikhail stares hard, like he has something to say. Maybe about Thora. And if he’s smart, he’ll continue to shut his mouth before I shut it permanently.
“Sit down,” Konstantin says, one arm resting on the back of his chair, eyes sharp as though he can read my thoughts. “We have business to discuss.”
Taking the empty seat beside Aleksei, I pretend I care about being here and focus on him.
“Mikhail and Arkady have secured a new route for us to get what we need for our clients. The problem is there’s a senator who wants his pockets greased to keep this quiet.
I don’t know how he found out, but he needs to be dealt with.
” His attention snaps to the twins. “I need you two to pay him a visit. Don’t play nice.
But be clean. No loose ends. Ponyatno?” Understand?
He pushes a manila folder toward them.
A slow grin spreads across Arkady’s face. “Anything for you, brat.”
“I will have another name once you’re done with this one.”
“More reasons to stay in America.” Arkady leans back in his chair.
Why didn’t Konstantin ask me to do this? My agitation only grows.
Mikhail’s fingers tap against the table, the scorpion on his hand jerking with the movement. “We are happy to stay as long as you need. That’s why we’re here.”
How thoughtful of them.
Maybe Konstantin can give these assholes my house, my car, and the woman he ordered me to kill while he’s at it.
“We’ve actually been looking at property here to maybe make this stay more permanent. We are happy to be flexible if you need us here longer.”
My grip snaps around the armrest.
Arkady and Mikhail staying here is the last thing I need. If they leave, Thora has a better chance of staying alive, and that is the only thing that matters right now. Even though time is running out and I still don’t have a plan that won’t end with me standing between her and my own family.
Konstantin does not change his mind once he has made it up. Thora will die if I don’t do something. Maybe I can convince her to leave the country. Maybe there is a way out of this before Konstantin realizes I am never going to finish the job.
After what she learned about the Whitlocks, there is less tying her here than there was before. It’s worth a try.
Mikhail’s arm drops across the back of my chair. “You seem happy with this news.”
My eyes move to his. “What gave that away?”
Arkady laughs. “Don’t worry, cousin. We will stay out of your way.”
Mikhail’s smile cuts sharper. “Unless you get in ours.”
Oh, how cliché. Pushing me isn’t really in his best interest.
If I find out they’re the ones who shot at Thora and me, I’ll open both of them from throat to stomach and let Konstantin deal with the mess.