Page 78 of Beautiful Cruelty

My hand stills on the desk. "How much?"

"Over half a million." Demyon replies. "He's been borrowing from one place to pay another. Classic desperate gambler move. And to his credit, it hasn't fucking blown up in his face yet. Whatever he's stealing from the family, it's enough to keep Kirsan's goons from breaking his legs."

I lean back in my chair, processing this new information. Kirsan's tendrils reaching elsewhere into Seattle isn't surprising—but having them so close to Lacey sets my teeth on edge.

"So," Demyon continues. "Still think it's a good idea to marry her?"

I shoot him a dark look, but he continues undeterred.

"I already put the ring on her finger, Demyushka." I sigh. "There's no backing out now."

"You know, for someone who insists this is just a means to an end, you're putting an awful lot of thought into this." He leans forward. "Almost as if you actually want to?—"

"Don't."

But Demyon's words have already hit their mark. Because he's right. Iampaying attention to every detail. The ring, the necklace, the dress...

I have no good answer why.

No, that's not true. Iknowwhy. I just can't bring myself to admit it.

Because then it'll be real.

I drum my fingers against my desk and push that dangerous thought deep into the far recess of my mind.

"I need you to do something else for me."

"Another wild goose chase?" Demyon's eyes sparkle with amusement.

"It's about a necklace that belonged to Lacey's mom." My jaw tightens as I recall the pain in her eyes. "Her brother pawned it in Tacoma months ago. Three diamonds, the center stone is slightly larger than the rest. No diamonds on the chain. It looks similar to the second necklace I bought."

Demyon's expression shifts from teasing to serious. "You want me to track it down?"

"Every pawn shop in Tacoma." I lean forward. "Money is no object. If you find someone who remembers selling it, buy it back. If they've already sold it, find out who bought it."

"And if they're unwilling to part with it?"

"Make them an offer they can't refuse." My voice carries an edge that makes Demyon's eyebrows rise. "Do what's necessary, but no killing. This needs to be clean."

"Because it's for her?"

I ignore his knowing look. "Because it's for her."

"You're getting soft, Vadim Petrovich."

"No." I meet his gaze steadily. "I'm giving Lacey back something that was stolen from her. There's nothing soft about that. It's about fairness."

"I think some people would call it love."

Before I can retort, Demyon stands up.

"I'll start looking today," he says.

23

LACEY

FIVE DAYS LATER

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