Page 57 of Wicked Embers

I sigh, getting tired of this game. My eyes harden and my voice lowers dangerously. “There are a few ways we can do this. I’d rather not have to tell my bride to be that her bridesmaid andbest friend couldn’t make our wedding tomorrow because I have her in the dungeon extracting information for her.”

Sabrina’s face drops. She inhales sharply, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Wh… what?” She shakes her head. “No. Leigh would never have agreed to marry you!”

My brows shoot up at the way she spits out the word you. “That’s hurtful.” I grab my heart mockingly. Before adding in a more serious and dangerous tone, “Leigh has no choice in the matter, and she will realize that.”

Her brow furrows as her shrewd eyes bore into mine. “She doesn’t know about it.”

“She will when she needs to.” My voice has a warning in it.

“Like when she’s blindsided at the altar?” Sabrina accuses.

“I wouldn’t say blindsided.” My lips lift in amusement. “And if you cooperate with me, I let you join in our happy day.”

“Oh goody. A chance to wear my black outfit I save for just these types of occasions,” she says snidely.

“You can wear whatever fucking color you like.” My brow rises. “Oh, and Sabrina, I know you and Leigh have been communicating. If word of our up coming wedding gets out to Leigh before I tell her, I’ll be back, only this time it won’t be such a friendly visit.”

“Is that a threat?” She breathes incredulously.

“It’s warning and a promise!”

“She won’t find out from me.” She shrugs. “But I’m going to enjoy watching how this wedding will play out—especially since Leigh hates surprises.”

Something in her words sends alarm bells ringing in my head. “Enough about Leigh. Tell me about the songbooks.”

“Was it one of your men that ransacked my mother’s dressing room looking for them?” Her accusation has me sighing in frustration.

“You should ask Leigh about her mother’s songbooks, not me.” She raises her chin defiantly. “It’s bad enough that I can’t warn her you’re planning to force her into marriage. Now you want me to stab her in the back by telling you about her mother’s songs?” She shakes her head stubbornly. “No.”

“I don’t want to hurt you, Sabrina,” I warn, my tone chilling to something cold and impersonal. “But I know you’re lying. You know more about the journals than you’re letting on.” I watch her hesitate when I say journals instead of songbooks. That single flicker of reaction confirms my suspicion—it’s not a songbook at all.

“I was really hoping you’d cooperate,” I continue, my voice hardening. “But if not, I won’t hesitate to be more forceful. And trust me—if you think you’ll be the only one who suffers, you’re mistaken.”

“Now you’re threatening my family?” she hisses, outraged.

“Let’s stop fucking around, Sabrina. This back-and-forth is getting us nowhere,” I say coldly. “You may not believe this, but I promised Mark I’d protect Leigh and that’s what I’m trying to do here. All the break-ins were connected to those books.”

“You’re protecting her by locking her up in your fortress?” she snaps, her tone biting.

“It’s the safest place for her, especially now that I know exactly what’s at stake—and why every enemy I have suddenly wants her.”

A gasp escapes Sabrina’s lips. “So you know about Leigh, then?”

“That she’s the Greek matriarch’s granddaughter and her father somehow came back from the dead? Yes, I found out last night from Mark.” My voice sharpens, but I keep my gaze steady as her expression shifts.

“So that’s what this is about?” she says, her tone accusing. “You’re marrying her to take control of her family’s businesses.”

“No. I don’t give a fuck about that, in all honesty. It’s just another headache.” The truth of the words hit me as I say it. “I’m marrying her because she might also be carrying my child—and that puts her in even more danger.”

Her eyes widen, and I can tell she understands the implications immediately. “So you’ve just made her life even more dangerous,” she accuses. “And still expect me to help you?”

“We could stand here exchanging accusations all night,” I snap impatiently. “We’re wasting time. Whoever broke into your mother’s dressing room and my workplaces wants those books badly. I need to find out why—and Mark Dalton mentioned your name in connection with them.”

She raises her hand, stopping me. “So, let me get this straight—you want me to betray Leigh by helping you pry into her life? And you expect me to believe it’s to protect her?”

“No, Sabrina,” I say, shaking my head. “I want you to help me protect your best friend—from whoever’s after her inheritance and my family’s businesses. I don’t know how thetwo are connected, but I have a feeling something in those journals holds the answer.”

She stares at me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she nods. “Are you here alone, and do you have a car?”

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