Page 178 of Bride By Coronation

"Okay," I say.

"Don't forget. It's urgent," he repeats.

"All right. I will," I assure him.

He hesitates for a moment, then turns to leave.

The elevator doors open. He steps inside, and the doors immediately slide shut.

Since when does the elevator work that quickly?

Lucky him.

I shut the door, lock it, and stroll back to my office. I step inside, look at the handwrittenQueen Fionaon the front of the envelope, then freeze.

Since when has anyone from The Underworld not bowed and called me Your Majesty?

Dread fills me. I run my hand over the bump in the envelope, not sure what's inside. My insides quiver, and once again, I don't know why.

It's just some sort of Underworld business,I tell myself.

I open the envelope, pulling out a note and a flash drive. I unfold the paper and read it.

Queen Fiona,

This is how well your father-in-law knew your parents.

Sincerely,

A Friend

I'm racked by a full-body shiver. I stare at the flash drive and reread the note.

"Stop stalling," I mutter and then sit at my desk. I take a deep breath, staring around the beautiful space Kirill designed for me. The soft-blue sitting area, elaborate artwork, and rustic bookcases displaying my fashion books, look perfect against the stunning view of Lake Michigan. Normally, I get a sense of peace whenever I'm in this room. Right now, my gut won't stop flipping.

"I'm being silly," I mumble, then carefully insert the flash drive into my computer and wait. After a brief moment, a video materializes on the screen. It's black, and there's a play button.

My pulse skyrockets. I debate about pushing the play button or not, but I can't help myself. My curiosity wins, and I click the button.

There's a man strapped to a car. It's dark. The only light comes from the headlights of that vehicle and another one.

At first, it takes me a minute to comprehend what I'm seeing, and then horror races through me.

It can't be.

"Dad!" I cry out, leaning closer. There's no doubt it's him, especially when I hear his voice.

He's screaming,"Let her go!"and"Motherfuckers!"over and over.

The camera zooms out, then pans over to six men surrounding a woman. She's screaming, trying to break free, but isn't strong enough.

Bile rises in my throat.

Horrified, I put one hand over my mouth and the other on my stomach. My mother's face fills the screen and her voice pumps from the speakers.

Then, two men turn to face the camera, and my gut churns faster. I pause the video, looking closer.

It's my Uncle Niall and Uncle Shamus, who both died when I was a kid.

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