Page 78 of The Watcher's Bride

“I knew your father. We were friends once upon a time, and I could see only him in you. From the stories I heard about you, though brutal, you weren’t cruel or power hungry. Any violence was meted out against only those who deserved it. I’m an old man who has seen many empires rise and fall at the hands of weak, angry men, I think I have an instinct for who is worthy of allying with,” Mr. Cho replies, fixing Leo with an earnest look.

Leo inclines his head in acknowledgment. “So, now that you’ve achieved that, what happens next?”

“We kill Eamonn Quinn.”

Chapter 48

Leo

“You’re not coming, Nora, and that’s final,” I growl, tired of having this same argument with her.

Ever since the meeting with the Chinese, Nora has been adamant that she wants to join us in the attack on her father’s compound. There’s no way I’m letting her come. It’s too dangerous. I can’t risk her falling into her father’s hands and being used against me.

“How do you think I feel? I can’t let you and my brother walk into danger and sit around doing nothing! I am coming with you, and you can’t stop me!” Nora stubbornly insists.

Sensing there’s no way I can win this battle, I reply, “Fine. But you need to put on some dark clothing. “Go and get ready, we leave in ten.”

“Thank you.” She beams at me, standing on tiptoes to kiss me before rushing upstairs to our room.

I feel like the world’s biggest jackass for what I’m about to do.

“Pakhan, are you sure this is a good idea? She has no training and is likely to be more of a hindrance than a help,” Nikolai whispers to me.

The other men look concerned, no doubt wondering if I’ll react violently against my second daring to question me the wayDimitri would have. Luckily for Nikolai, I’m not my uncle. I want to hear what my men have to say. Only a fool of a leader doesn’t listen to advisors and utilize his resources.

“I know. That’s why she’s not coming,” I reply, turning my attention to Tatiana. “Tatiana, you’re going to stay here and keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn’t leave.”

“Great, babysitting duty,” she grumbles.

“That’s an order,” I add sternly.

“Yes, Pakhan.”

I rush upstairs to our room. “Leo?” Nora says with surprise as she spots me in the doorway. She’s changed into all black and is in the process of tying up her hair.

“I’m sorry, Nora, it’s for your own good,” I say as I shut the door and lock her inside.

“Leo!” she shouts, rushing to the door and trying to open it. “Let me out! This isn’t funny!” she screams, banging her fists against it.

“I’m sorry, Nora, I can’t risk you being there. If you’re in danger, it will distract me and put us all at risk. I hope you can forgive me. I love you,” I say before walking away, ignoring her cries of protest.

“Let’s go,” I tell my men, tossing Tatiana the key as we leave.

***

Cho’s men are all there as planned when we pull up a safe distance from Quinn’s compound. With Cillian’s insideknowledge, we know the rotations of guards and the weakest points for us to gain entry undetected. Cillian’s team will enter from the front under the guise of a meeting, while we’ll go around the back.

“They’re in. Time to move out,” I say as I watch the doors closing behind Cillian.

We wait around the back for the signal while Cillian’s men silently execute the guards at their posts before they can sound the alarm. With the guards dispatched, we enter the building, sweeping every room in search of Quinn. We’re able to overwhelm the few men we come across easily and with minimal fuss, but as we search the mansion, one thing becomes abundantly clear.

“He’s not here,” I say to Cillian.

“He has to be. We had good intel that he was here. He must be in the basement, it’s where he tortures enemies—and his kids,” he adds bitterly.

“Could it be a trap?”

“Only one way to find out,” he replies, his mouth a thin line.

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