Page 35 of The Hermit

Ilias: I’ll be there.

I type out a quick reply.

Dominik: Noon on Tuesday. We can discuss building a facility then. Bring your own chair, or your ass is sitting on the ground.

Imagining their disgruntled faces makes me chuckle.

I set the device down and take a seat beside Evinka. “Get a team ready to build on the island. I want it to be a safe location we can escape to. Make sure the island gets the best technology to guard it.” I stare at the photo on the screen and mutter, “I want an indestructible fortress.”

“On it,” she signs before getting to work.

I glance at the four guards and snap, “Stop hovering around me.”

They quickly leave the living room while a silent chuckle escapes Evinka.

“Prepare for action,” I tell her.

“You think the bratva is planning to attack here?” she signs.

I shrug. “Eventually, but that’s not what I’m talking about.” My eyes meet hers. “I’m taking Grace, and we might have to use force.”

Evinka’s eyebrows lift in surprise. “You’ll kidnap her?”

“A deal is a deal,” I mutter, even though that’s a lie. “Out of Devlin’s two daughters, Grace doesn’t annoy the fuck out of me.”

Chapter 10

GRACE

Since the meeting, which didn’t offer any solutions, my emotions have been all over the place.

It was one hell of a shock to learn Dominik was the person who killed Braden.

I always said I’d send the person a thank you card, and now that I know who saved me from a life of hell, I’m not sure how to feel.

I’m thankful and…shocked. I’m just shocked out of my mind.

And he rescued me from the Russians.

I owe Dominik for saving my life twice. Jesus, how do I repay a man like him?

There’s also his strong reaction to hearing Braden raped me. I didn’t expect anything from Dominik, yet he was so angry it terrified me.

I won’t admit it out loud, but a tiny piece of my heart is thankful for his reaction. Dominik didn’t sugarcoat it. Not like Dad does.

He made my trauma feel justified and that I wasn’t overreacting.

But I can’t sit here all day thinking about my own problems.

I skipped dinner, not ready for another conversation with Dad and Dominik, but I know I’m running out of time.

I rub my hand over my tired eyes and let out a sigh, “What am I going to do about Ciara?”

Dad’s hell-bent on pawning her off on Dominik, who seems okay with settling for me.

Still, I don’t want to marry him either. I don’t think I’ll survive a second marriage.

Letting out a sigh, I stare at my bedroom door.

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