Page 56 of Relentless Knight

“You didn’t even know our father sent her?” Tatiana asks, her voice calm and reasoning.

My eyes flash in her direction, and she flinches back before squaring her shoulders to stand her ground.

“No,” I state flatly. Then I cast a long look in Killian’s direction. He and I are going to have words after this—about his apparent death wish.

“Then, that alone should prove Natasha’s the best person for the job,” Tatiana says. And her eyes cast to Killian as she lets that sink in. “Your best man—a man we can all fully respect as both a fighter and a guard—never even knew she was here. And Natasha’s right. Lucian isn’t a fighter like you. He’s a strategist. Like me. If Natasha says she can take him, she can.”

I can see the frustration and defeat plainly written across Killian’s face. But I can’t find any rational defense against her argument. When she puts it that way, I see her point. Natasha might just be the best woman for the job—even if I hate the thought of risking her life over mine.

“Fine,” Killian concedes. Then he rises from his chair to walk to Natasha. And he cradles her cheek in his palm. “But if you’re doing this, I want to take the time to put together a solid plan we can all agree on. One that will guarantee you come back alive.”

28

QUINN

“You’ll call me as soon as the job’s done,” Tatiana insists as we all stand in the entryway like a grand send-off.

After a week of what seemed like nonstop planning, it’s time. Tonight’s the night Natasha puts an end to this bloody conflict and rids New York of Don Lucian once and for all.

“I’ll call you as soon as it’s done,” Natasha echoes, pulling her sister into a hug.

The two girls couldn’t look more different. Tatiana is tall and all breathtaking curves and seductive beauty with dark auburn hair and worried blue eyes. Meanwhile, Natasha has a lean, petite frame that I know from our sparring session is impressively muscular beneath the skintight catsuit she’s wearing tonight. Her burgundy hair is pulled back in that simple French braid that will keep it out of her face, and her silver eyes look like hardened steel in her determination.

But as the girls embrace, I can see that same love and affection mirrored between them. And it makes my heart ache for Tatiana. She hasn’t breathed a word to suggest it, but I know she must be worried for her sister.

As soon as they step apart, Killian moves forward to say his goodbyes. And he sweeps Natasha up in a fiercely passionate kiss. The temperature of the room steadily climbs, and yet I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from the sweet and almost desperate display of love. When their lips finally separate, he cups Natasha’s face in his palms, and the tender look on his face as he gazes down at her breaks my heart.

“Do what you have to do, love,” he murmurs. “But staysafe. And hurry home. I’ll wait up for you.”

“I know,” she murmurs, her fingers curling around his, and she presses an affectionate kiss to his palm. “I’ll be home before you even know I’m gone,” she promises.

Sighing heavily, Killian wraps his arms around her, pulling her tight against his chest as he tucks her head beneath his chin. And I can tell he’s shielding her from the momentary look of agony that flickers across his face.

Tears sting the backs of my eyes to see his pain. I know from personal experience how hard it is to let someone you love walk out that door without knowing for certain that they’ll come back. You can always hope. You can trust in their strength and determination. But you can never actuallyknow. Not in our world.

My stomach knots every time I think of the possibility that Natasha might not come home. And that familiar anxiety rises in my chest when I consider what that would mean. Because I’ve been a prisoner of the Agostis. And I don’t want Natasha to suffer that same fate. I imagine Natasha would be far stronger and more resilient than I was in that situation. But I wouldn’t wish that kind of pain on my worst enemy—least of all my sister-in-law, who I’ve come to love and respect immensely.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I force a smile onto my lips as Natasha and Killian part. And I note the way she keeps one hand in his as she turns to face me and Lance.

“Good luck,” Lance says gruffly. “Make him pay.”

Natasha gives him a determined nod—a silent reassurance that she can do this job, though she knows he wanted it to be him. And I feel a flicker of guilt rise as I realize I’m grateful to her for taking Lance’s place.

Unable to help myself, I step forward and pull her into a hug. “Good luck,” I whisper, giving her a fierce squeeze before I release her.

And the smile Natasha unleashes on me fills me with warmth—and sadness.

“Thanks, Quinn,” she says. Then she gives Killian’s hand one last squeeze, and she slips silently out the front door into the night.

Painful stillness settles over the entry as we all stand motionless, staring at the doorway. And as the tension grows excruciating, Tatiana breaks the silence.

“I’ll head home. Call me if…Well, call me with any updates. I’ll do the same.” She doesn’t wait for a reply as she and her small contingent of guards sweep from the house.

But as she goes, I catch the glimmer of tears brimming in her eyes.

“Fuck,” Killian groans as soon as the door closes, and his fingers comb through his blond curls as he looks toward the sky.

“She’ll be okay,” I assure him, and I press my lips together to hide the way my chin trembles.

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