Page 69 of The Watcher's Bride

“Absolutely.” He hums in approval and pulls me close, squeezing my ass.

“It took long enough to get into this thing, you’re going to have to wait until later to get me out of it,” I chide, tapping him lightly on the shoulder.

“I’ll hold you to that,” he says, his eyes dark with desire.

“I still don’t see why you get to dress normally, and I have to dress like a sex doll,” I grumble, looking at Leo’s well-cut but perfectly presentable suit.

Leo shrugs and flashes a smile at me. “Would you rather I dressed in some sort of leather get up too?”

The thought isn’t a terrible one, I bet he’d look hot as fuck, but I’d rather that be for my eyes only.

“Besides, I have a costume,” he says devilishly, pulling something from his pocket.

My breath hitches as I see what it is. The mask he used to wear as my watcher.

“We’re going to this place in a strictly professional matter, Leo,” I remind him, trying to tamp down how horny seeing it is making me.

“Doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun afterward. Besides, it’ll be more convincing if you’re desperate to fuck me,” he taunts.

“You’re so bad,” I mildly scold, but I’m grateful for his teasing. I know he’s just trying to take my mind off the worry about seeing Nadya and fear of something going wrong.

“But on a more serious note, we can’t be spotted going in there,” he reasons, handing me a small mask that covers the top half of my face.

“Come on, let’s go,” he says, taking my hand and leading the way.

If everything goes well, I’ll be reunited with Nadya, and we may find the bombshell that we need to take my father down. If not, well… I don’t want to think about that. We’re playing a deadly game.

Chapter 41

Leo

As we move through the busy members-only sex club, my hand remains firmly around Nora’s waist, making it clear that I’m not up for sharing. The men who eye her hungrily quickly avert their gazes as I glower at them, moving on to more willing recipients. This isn’t the sort of place I ever imagined bringing Nora, but needs must, and it helps make our cover story more believable. Nikolai and Tatiana are regulars here, so we can talk freely in a private room without the risk of prying eyes and ears.

Nora looks truly ravishing tonight, and I have to work hard to remain alert and ready for an ambush with her nearby. I remind myself that we’re here to work, not play. I have to admit, I’m curious about what Nadya is going to reveal. It had better be worth the risk. She’s lucky Nora didn’t burn the letter without reading it. I certainly wouldn’t have overlooked her betrayal as easily as Nora seems to have.

Nora’s compassion, understanding, and capacity for forgiveness will never cease to amaze me. After reading Nadya’s letter, her only concern was for her friend. I hope her trust is not misplaced and that this isn’t a carefully laid trap set by Quinn. But I trust my wife’s judgment. After all, I can’t exactly judge Nadya, I didn’t meet Nora under normal circumstances either.

I knock three times on the door in quick succession, followed by two longer knocks, the signal that it’s us. Seconds later, Nikolai opens the door and quickly ushers us inside. A small, anguished sob escapes Nora’s mouth as she lays eyes onher friend, and she quickly rushes over to embrace her. The pair offer apologies and forgiveness between tears.

I look away, feeling as if I’m intruding on a private intimate moment by watching. “Did everything go smoothly?” I ask Nikolai and Tatiana.

“Yes, Dimitri bought our cover story without question. Though the fact we showed interest in Nadya doesn’t bode well for her, he won’t lose interest any time soon if only to lord it over us that she’s his,” Tatiana replies grimly.

Nora looks over in horror at what she’s just heard. “Nadya isn’t going back there,” she insists.

I share a glance with the others. It’s one thing getting her out for a brief period, but if we don’t take her back, Dimitri will immediately know who to blame. If her information isn’t worth it, we’d be taking a hell of a risk.

“Nora, I have to. If they don’t take me back tonight, I’d be putting you all at risk. I can handle it. Maybe I can even be helpful to you there?” Nadya insists, clearly understanding the risks.

Nadya looks awful. There’s a bruise on her face that she’s covered up as best she can, and the skimpy outfit she’s wearing leaves her exposed and vulnerable in a way that makes me want to cover her with my jacket. Being Dimitri’s new favorite plaything is a dangerous position to be in.

Nora squeezes Nadya’s hand. “You don’t need to put yourself at risk.”

“I’ve been at risk my whole life,” she replies. Nadya looks at Nora with such love and sadness in her eyes I have to look away, uncomfortable with the raw emotions.

I clear my throat awkwardly.

“So, what’s this news you have to share with us?” I ask a little more brusquely than I intended.

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