Page 58 of Deceptive Vows
“Security?” he asked.
“Triple layer. Armed guards, electronic surveillance, panic protocols. I’ve vetted everyman personally.” In reality, I’d chosen men who would turn the moment I gave the signal. “Your clients will feel safe, and the merchandise will be contained.”
Marco grinned, a slow spread of teeth that didn’t reach his eyes. “This is why I wanted you, Nazar. Your reputation for thoroughness is well-earned.”
I inclined my head slightly, accepting the compliment while hiding my disgust. “I take pride in my work.”
He leaned back, studying me. “Speaking of work, how are the wedding preparations coming along? Lucas Kalantzis still buying your little romance?”
The mention of the wedding sent an unexpected pang through my chest. My time was consumed by meetings like this and coordinating with my men. Each night I returned to the penthouse late, finding her already asleep or secluded in her room. The distance was necessary but increasingly painful.
“Everything is on track,” I said, maintaining an air of indifference. “The Kalantzis family has embraced the engagement. Lucas believes I’m committedto the alliance.”
“And the sister? She’s not suspicious?”
I let a practiced smirk cross my lips. “She’s planning a wedding. Choosing cakes, dresses. Women are easily... distracted by such things.”
The lie tasted bitter. Thea was anything but distracted—she was sharp, focused, and I knew she was working angles I couldn’t see. But Marco needed to believe she was merely a pawn, not the fierce strategist I’d come to admire.
“Good.” Marco nodded, seemingly satisfied. “The wedding will make a perfect target. Everyone gathered in one place, celebrating.” He sighed. "Have you settled on a way to solve our problem?”
I kept my face impassive, though inside I calculated exactly how I would make him suffer for even thinking about harming her. “Da. There will be approximately fifty guests at the reception,” I said. “Family, close associates. Security will be minimal. Pasha and I will slip out, the building will be surrounded by our people and then rushed. The entire family will be gunned down before they know what's happening.”
“Perfect.” Marco stood, signaling our meeting was ending. “Continue to keep me updated. I’dlike an invitation as well. I plan on framing it as a memento of her family's demise.”
“Of course.” I maintained the pretense of politeness. “I’ll have security protocols finalized by Friday.”
“Fantastic.”
The video call ended, and I closed my laptop, crossing the space of my temporary office to look out the window. Snow had collected on the tops of the trees and ledges of nearby buildings. These meetings drained me more each time—the constant performance, the careful balance of truth and deception.
And time was running out. The trap we were laying would only work if Marco believed it was a real ceremony, if he thought we'd all be lined up like lambs. He had no idea we planned to end this before vows were exchanged, before anyone stepped foot inside the church.
But it wasn’t just the acting that exhausted me. It was being away from Thea.
My phone rang, Pasha’s name illuminating the screen. I accepted the call, switching to Russian.
“How did it go?”Pasha asked.
“As expected. Still no information onwhere the women are being held.”I rubbed my eyes, frustration evident in my voice.“He confirmed there are ten total, but he’s keeping me in the dark about their location. Someone else is handling that part of the operation.”
“The Gray Wolves,”Pasha stated with certainty.
“Yes, though Marco never mentions them to me.”My grip on the phone tightened.“We’re running out of time, Pasha. Without knowing where those women are being held, we risk losing them even if we take down Marco.”
“Have you identified any potential locations?”Pasha asked.
“I’ve had men keeping an eye out for Wolves,”I replied.“One of them reported about an abandoned medical facility outside the city. Another saw a Wolf at a warehouse near the docks with unusual security. Two residential properties with heavy surveillance. Our men are watching all of them.”
“Good. Keep me updated on any movement.”
“I will.”I paused, considering our next steps.“If we can't locate those women before the auction...”
“We will, my friend. But remember, patience is sometimes the better strategy. Move too soon without confirmation, and Marco might relocate them somewhere we can’t find them.”
“My security team is in place at the theater. When thetime comes, they’ll betray Marco’s men.”I turned from the window and walked to my desk.“How are things in New York?”
“The Wolves are backing off slightly. I think they’re focusing resources on Chicago for the auction.”There was a pause.“And how is your Dark Angel?”
