Page 85 of Royal Beast
Something feels off.
It starts as a prickle in the back of my mind, a nagging sense that I’ve forgotten something, that I’ve overlooked something important. I glance at the doorway, half-expecting to see Liam pop his head in to check on me, but it remains empty.
The unease tightens its grip on me, coiling in my stomach. My hand moves on its own, reaching into my bag for my phone. The screen lights up, Kellan’s contact staring back at me.
I hit the call button before I can second-guess myself, my heart racing as the dial tone fills my ear.
The line connects, and I let out a shaky breath.
40
KELLAN
The sharp clink of a coffee mug hitting the counter snaps me out of my thoughts. I rub the bridge of my nose, trying to shake off the lingering unease that’s been gnawing at me since Darcy left for the hospital. Liam is with her. Clary, too.They’ll keep her and Rose safe, I tell myself, but it doesn’t stop the tight knot in my chest.
I shrug on my jacket, checking my phone for any updates before heading out. Just as I grab my keys, the screen lights up with Rory’s name. I answer immediately.
“What’s up?” I ask, expecting the usual check-in. Instead, Rory’s voice cuts through, tense and rapid.
“Kells, we’ve got a problem. A big one. The Russians just called and the deal’s off.”
“What?” My hand tightens around the phone. “What the hell are you talking about? We just closed that deal. What changed?”
“Our messengers let us know that the Russians were informed that we were planning to double-cross them,” Rory says, his frustration barely contained.
“Double-cross?” I snap. “Where the hell are they getting that idea?”
“I don’t know yet,” he admits, his voice edging into panic. “All I know is they’re convinced. I tried to talk them down, but they weren’t having it.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, my headache slamming into me full-force. “You’re telling me someone’s feeding them bullshit about us. That’s what this is.”
“That’s my guess,” Rory replies. “But whoever it is, they’ve done a damn good job. Anatoly is furious.”
“Of course he is,” I growl. “They don’t play games.” I pause, inhaling sharply. “I’m coming to the office. Don’t talk to anyone else until I get there.”
“Kellan—”
“Don’t,” I cut him off. “Don’t say another word over the phone. I’ll be there in ten.”
I end the call, shoving my phone into my pocket as I grab my jacket. My mind is already racing. Someone has set us up, and if the Russians believe it, that someone wants bloodshed.
I step into the office, my jaw clenched, and my eyes immediately find Rory. He’s pacing, his face lined with stress, but when he sees me, he gives a short nod. I walk past him to the large conference table where a few files are scattered, and the room feels far too quiet for the storm that’s brewing.
“You get anything?” I ask, not even bothering to sit down yet.
Rory exhales sharply, running a hand over his face. “I tried calling Anatoly. He’s refusing to take any calls now. His people just keep saying the deal is off, and they’ve made it pretty clear that they don’t want to hear from us anymore.”
My jaw clenches at the thought of it. “They don’t want to meet again? At all?”
“No. Not unless it’s under their terms. And right now, their terms are ‘fuck off.’” Rory slams his hand on the desk, frustration bubbling over. “This is insane. They’ve put us in a corner.”
I slam my hand on the desk, a loud thump resounding in the room. “We need to fix this before it blows up in our faces. The longer we let them think we’re weak, the more they’ll push.”
I pace the length of the room, hands behind my back as I think. “We can’t let this drag out. If the Russians think we’re bluffing, they’re gonna make a move, and when they do, they’ll wipe us off the map.”
Rory glances at me, eyes narrowing. “So, what? You’re suggesting we go in guns blazing?”
“No.” I stop, turning to face him. “We need to be more strategic than that. Hit them in a way they’ll never suspect. Make it clear we’re not to be fucked with.”
