Page 118 of No Promises, No Lies

69

THE RUSSIAN LION

RORY

Thirty Minutes Earlier

Niko escorts me through the mansion until we’re standing in front of the closed doors of my father’s study. The muffled drone of male voices is audible through the heavy oak.

“You’re sure you want to do this?” My brother asks, something like worry showing in his eyes when he looks over at me.

But I am resolved and focused,“You know what you need to do.”

His gaze lingers on me for another half a second before he nods. Another breath passes, and he straightens, throwing back his shoulders and knocking loudly. The voices inside fall silent just before someone wrenches open the study doors.

My brother’s hand finds my upper arm, shoving me roughly over the threshold. I shoot what I hope is a convincing glare back at him before taking in my surroundings.

My father sits behind his large, ornate desk, like a king holding court.

Cole DeLuca’s cool and measured stare finds me and I try not to wince, not expecting the Italian Capo to be here…

A handful of men occupy the room. Some I recognize as my father’s soldiers and I guess the rest are Cole’s.

“Aurora, Mona doch’,my daughter,you’re home!” My father steps around the desk, coming towards me and it’s all I can do not to take a step back. The last thing I want is to be within striking distance of my father…Adrik eyes Niko before embracing me in a quick hug for the show of our guests. “I’m so glad you are safe!” He turns to my brother, “Where did you find her?”

I chance a look at DeLuca, who’s watching the exchange with rapt attention.

“With the Irish,”Niko replies coldly.

My father nods, a flash of glee on his face.He might just get away with it.Pinning this whole thing on the Irish… “The Irish bastards will burn for this. We’ll start with the one downstairs.” He reaches out and pinches my cheek hard between his fingers.

It’s a warning.

“No one touchesmydaughter.” He turns back to Niko, “Why don’t you go down and let Petr know to go ahead and get started?”

A muscle works in Niko’s jaw and I know he’s reluctant to leave me alone with our father, but I need him to save Aidan. I dip my chin ever so slightly, a subtle nod my father doesn’t catch, but Cole noticed, judging by the look in his eyes.

I ignore him.

“Yes, Pakhan,” Niko gives our father a curt nod before turning on his heel, stalking out of the room without another word. The relief I feel is short-lived.

Adrik lifts his chin, addressing the rest of the men in the study, “A moment, please. I must speak with my daughter.” Heputs a firm hand on my shoulder, holding me to him lest I get any ideas about bolting.

The men nod, faces expressionless as they silently rise, buttoning their suits before exiting stoically from the room.

But DeLuca doesn’t move a muscle.

The sight of him lounging by the window sill elicits a slightly miffed expression on Adrik’s face, but even he doesn’t dare to say anything to the Italian Capo. When it’s just the three of us, Adrik gestures for me to take one of the leather bound chairs in front of his desk but I shake my head, “No thank you.”

Adrik frowns, “Have a seat, Aurora. I insist.”

Again, I shake my head, shifting my weight on my feet, needing to buy Niko and Aidan time. “I’d rather stand, thank you.”

My father’s face grows red, fighting the urge to step towards me. “Very well.” A somber expression replaces the anger. “I’m not sure if you were aware during your time in Irish captivity, but your dear fiancé is missing—” he throws a glance in Cole’s direction, but the Italian Capo still has his dark gaze trained on me.

I try not to tremble under the awareness. “—presumed dead. God rest his soul,” Adrik continues. “That being said, you’re a bride meant for the Italians. To unite our two families.” He thrusts out his chest with pride and it’s all I can do not to cringe. “So, after this meeting, you will go with Signore DeLuca and he will find you an acceptable match by week’s end,” my father finishes, quite pleased with himself. All of his carefully laid plans falling into place.

“I will do no such thing,” I inform him, clenching my fists where I hold them at my side. “I’m not going anywhere with DeLuca over here,” gesturing in Cole’s general direction.

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