Page 99 of Kings of Violence

I take it from her, noticing that it’s already been opened, and I arch my brows at her.

She shrugs. “I was curious.”

I shake my head, but I’ve gotten used to her tendency to snoop where she doesn’t belong. I’m sure if she spoke Russian, she would be eavesdropping on all my conversations.

The card inside the envelope is plain, just completely normal card stock.

In simple font, it reads:

Dear Konstantin Voronkov,

You’re invited to Don Marino’s 65th birthday celebration. This year’s theme is Carnival! Wear your best suits, dresses, and masks.

My eyes widen. I’ve heard of Don Marino’s love of parties. I’ve never been invited before, though.

“It’s probably a trap,” Sierra says bluntly. “Especially with masks. Could they be any more obvious?”

“It’s probably a trap,” I agree, turning the card over. The back includes instructions about parking, guards, plus ones, weapons, and the general party rules.

The smart thing to do is to tear it up and pretend I never received it. I shouldn’t risk anything.

On the other hand: this is my best opportunity to get close to him. I need results for my father. I need something to show for all this trouble. If I can recover those fucking missing weapons…

I look up at Sierra. “The data you stole from him last time. Was it complete?”

She shakes her head. “I got interrupted. I’ve been trying to work on it, but I’m also working on my father’s files. I thought those were more immediate since shipments and all…” She trails off, suddenly wary. “I probably should’ve asked.”

“Okay. Focus on that now. Get us anything that will help us when we’re in his mansion.”

Sierra frowns at me. “What? No,wecan’t go. That’s a trap. As we just discussed.”

I let out a deep laugh. “He invited us! It would be rude to decline. Besides, a little networking never hurt anyone.” I smile at her. “You’ll look beautiful.”

She immediately shakes her head. “Absolutely not. If you want to get yourself shot up, that’s fine, but I’m not putting myself in the middle of gunfire again.”

I almost give in. I remember how shaken she’d been with the blood splattered on her.

Nobody else would be as effective at hacking Don Marino’s computers though. “You’re going,” I state. “You said you’d do anything we asked, remember? And I want you there to hack his computers.”

“You’re just asking for one of us to be hurt or worse,” Sierra mutters. Her hands are trembling, and I take them into mine. They envelop hers, making them look small in comparison. “But whatever, throw the blackmail in my face.”

“We will take Yura and Nikolai with us. They will protect you while I keep Don Marino occupied and see how much he actually knows.” I lift her hands and kiss the knuckles softly. “You are a strong, smart, capable woman. I know you can do this, Sierrochka.”

She breathes out slowly. Her hazel eyes are stormy, troubled, but she nods. “All right,” she says simply. “Are they going to let all four of us in?”

“They will,” I say. “The guards won’t dare refuse me.” I pull her close and wrap an arm around her shoulders. “It will be fun! Mafia parties are a brand of their own. The last one I went to, only one death threat got shouted.”

“Oh. Only one,” Sierra says, deadpan. “Well, that’s all right then.” She relaxes against me with a sigh. “All right. I’ll take care of getting all four of us on the guest list. Well. I’ll be your plus one, I guess, and I’ll get Nikolai and Yuri sorted. Shouldn’t be hard.”

I pull my phone out and send a text to Yura and Nikolai. “Imagine how handsome those two will look. Although, I’m not sure I know what a carnival outfit is.”

She laughs. “Lots of feathers and sparkles and bright colors.” She turns her head to look up at me. “Which will be vastlyentertaining, considering it’s a bunch of mafia dudes and their… women.”

I trail a hand down her lean stomach. “We should get you one of those dresses that barely covers you.”

“Nope,” she says instantly. “You don’t really want other men gawking and thinking it’s an invitation, do you?” She quirks a brow in challenge.

I let out a low growl. “They would not dare.” I grip her hip and nuzzle her collar.

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