Page 80 of Resurrection

This is the point where I should tell her Eric sounded the same way. Instead I keep that nugget to myself and mull it over. “I don’t trust them.”

Her shoulders slump as she rearranges things in her suitcase. “Me either. But if I can get out of this company with his blessing, it’ll make me feel better later on. You know, someday, when I look back.”

With a sigh, I grab my bag and resume packing. “We’ve still got our plan?”

“It’s just delayed.” Carys fiddles with the lock on her suitcase. “That’s all. A detour before we start out on our own.”

Unease churns in my stomach. None of this is right. I take my phone off the dresser and text Jay to see how many more people we can bring to Russia for our team. Even if Eric, Charles, and their acquaintance aren’t a physical threat to her, I’ve steered Demid in Eric’s direction. If something happens to her because I wanted him out of the way, I’ll never forgive myself.

We spend the plane ride coming up with half-baked ideas and mapping out plans of action. She wants Jay and his family tocome with us. Whatever she asks for, I’m agreeing. Anything to get her away from the two good-for-nothings luring her to Russia.

When the plane touches down, the sky is an inky black. On the tarmac, Jay briefs our extra security regarding the house, the known risks, and who is being posted to each position once we arrive. The only people who are going to enter the house are Jay and Tom, me, and Carys, in that order. Although she’s convinced Eric and her father won’t hurt her, with the right motivation, they’re capable of anything.

The property is outside Volgograd city limits which is why we didn’t use it last time. She says her father purchased it almost a year ago, and as far as she knows, it’s sat empty. My bullshit meter is reading off the charts. I keep trying to make the pieces fit together, but I never get there.

We’re quiet in the main car as we approach the house. The two-story brick building might have been built at the turn of some century. Architecture isn’t my specialty. Old houses harbor secrets—bodies, rooms, passageways.

Jay and his new partner, Tom, are going in first and then giving us the all clear. Once they exit the car, Carys and I sit in silence. I rotate a ring on her finger while we wait. Regardless of what her father said about letting her go, whatever or whoever is in that house is designed to draw her in.

It takes longer than I expect for them to inspect the property, and when Jay returns he avoids eye contact when I step out of the car.

“All okay?” I ask.

“No danger in there. But buckle the fuck up. Carys will need you.”

“What?” I hiss at him as she climbs out behind me. “If there’s something I need to know, you should have fucking taken me aside.”

“You gotta see it, man. You won’t believe me.Ican’t believe it.”

“But she’ll be safe going in there?” I tip my head at the front door.

“Physically, yeah. She’ll be fine.”

I place my palm on the small of Carys’s back as we make our way to the entrance. My mind ticks through what could be in the house that would be emotionally or mentally damaging to her. As long as everyone is alive in there, I can’t imagine what they’ve got or what they’ve done.

Jay and Tom slide through the door first. I follow, pulling her behind me, our fingers locked together. The gun holstered just under my jacket is a comfort. Without a doubt, I’d kill anyone who physically hurt Carys, but with her heightened emotions, there’s a good chance I’ll shoot them for hurting her feelings too. Ever since she talked to her mom, there’s been something fragile in her.

When we enter the living room behind Jay and Tom, the high ceiling makes the place seem far grander than it should. The décor is a strange mix of modern and historic, as though someone came through and switched out pieces of furniture and wall coverings. Opal has clearly never been here either. Maybe Charles is announcing a divorce and remarriage? But why would Eric be excited?

Her father rises from the couch at the far end of the room. “Ah, you’re here.” He grins and gestures for us to sit on one of the other couches. “I hope Jay didn’t ruin the surprise.”

I glare at Jay and don’t answer Charles. She sighs and squeezes my hand tighter. Jay shakes his head but doesn’t speak.

“Well, good.” Charles’s smile widens. “I’ve so been looking forward to seeing your face, Carys.”

I frown and glance at her as she takes a deep breath.

“I flew all this way, Dad. Can we not dance around whatever it is you want from me? You promised if I came, you wouldn’t be upset if I wanted to quit the business.”

His eyes light up, and he peers at a small screen facing him on the table. “It’ll just take a moment. I’m not delaying on purpose. You can’t rush these things.” He smiles at Carys. “You’ll learn.”

She huffs out a breath and glances at me. An uncomfortable silence sits between us. Then I catch the briefest of cries—like a puppy or a kitten. I rise to my feet, dropping Carys’s hand.

“You got an animal in the house?” My hackles stand on end. What if it’s dangerous? What if Jay didn’t understand what the fuck he was talking about outside? Wouldn’t be the first time.

Charles laughs, delighted. “Of a sort.”

Jay won’t meet my eyes.

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