Page 25 of Sinful Union

Piotr doesn’t sound surprised. “Good.”

I end the call without another word.

Kat exhales slowly, placing her hands in her lap. She doesn’t look at me, and for a moment, neither of us speaks. Finally, I stand. She lifts her chin, meeting my eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I tell her. “I have calls to make.”

“I’ll handle the bags,” she says simply.

I step toward her, reaching out before I can second-guess myself. My hand cups the back of her head, my fingers threading through her hair as I press a slow, deliberate kiss to her forehead. Her breath hitches. I step away and reach for my phone.

I have a war to handle.

Chapter 13

Kat

Iwatch Pavel disappear into the suite with his phone already pressed to his ear. His expression is hard, cold. He moves with purpose, his broad shoulders squared, his entire presence shifting into complete focus. I swallow, turning to the bodyguard stationed near me. He’s quiet, yet watchful.

“I’m going to my room,” I tell him, smoothing the front of my dress as I stand. “I’m going to pack. I’ll let you know when I need my bags taken to the car.”

He nods once. Nothing more. No further reaction, no questions. Just obedience.

I grab my phone and head straight to the bedroom, closing the door behind me, exhaling sharply. My hands curl into fists as I press them against the cool surface of the door, my pulse and my mind both racing. Something doesn’t feel right.

I call Vlad. He picks up on the second ring.

“What the hell is going on?” I demand.

Vlad sighs on the other end of the line. “You already know.”

“Novikov’s men attacked businesses under our protection,” I say, pacing the length of the room. “Four innocent people are dead. That’s what I know.” I stop at the edge of the bed, my fingers curling into fists again. “But that’s not all of it, is it?”

Vlad hesitates. He’s deciding what to tell me and what to keep to himself. My stomach knots. “Vlad. Don’t you even think about keeping me in the dark. Is Ana safe?”

“Of course,” he replies instantly. “You know I would never let anything happen to her.”

“Then what is it you’re not telling me?”

“Piotr knew about the attacks fast.” He pauses. “Too fast.”

A chill skates down my spine. “What are you saying?”

“Nothing,” Vlad snaps, but there’s tension in his voice. “I shouldn’t even be telling you this.”

I clench my jaw. “Vlad, don’t do that. Don’t say something like that, then act like it’s nothing.”

Silence.

I sit down and grip the edge of the bed, my nails digging into the fabric. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“There’s nothing to tell.”

“Vlad—”

“No. That’s it. End of discussion.”

I sigh heavily, frustration coursing through me. But I know when Vlad shuts down a conversation like that, he’s not going to open it again. At least not right now.

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