Page 44 of Sinful Embers

Nikolas nods, his expression serious. “We have been watching Wanda as well.”

Sabrina straightens. “And?”

“She was spotted in Russia four weeks ago.”

The blood in my veins goes ice-cold.

“What?”

“She bought a palace,” Nikolas continues. “On the outskirts of a small town about five miles from Dragunov Village—it's called the Golden Palace, and I believe it used to be owned by Dmitri before your grandfather froze all his assets.”

"I know it." I grind my teeth. "It’s about ten miles from Dragunov Village. I'm surprised he went back there. It was the incident at Dragunov that got him exiled."

“No.” Viktor’s voice hardens. “Dmitri was cast out for murdering Vasily Dragunov’s daughter. He should’ve been executed.”

"My mother started selling some of my grandfather's properties in the last few years." Everything inside me goesrazor-sharp. “I guess it's no surprise Dmitri would get his rich wife to buy back his golden palace." I frown. "You think they’re at his palace?”

“Possibly,” Nikolas admits. “We already have a team checking it out."

“Carlos has been spotted in that town,” Viktor says. “Seems he likes to frequent a certain bar there.”

My mind races. “I’m packing.” I glance at Sabrina. “Be ready in an hour—we’re leaving for Russia tonight.”

“Then you'd better stop your cousin from hitting the clubs,” Sabrina reminds me of Oleksi’s plans.

“He can catch up later.”

“Not so fast.” Nikolas’s voice is firm. “We need to scout it out first. No use rushing in blind.”

I clench my jaw. “I’m not waiting around here.”

“You don’t have a choice,” Nikolas snaps. “You and Sabrina are expected at a meeting tomorrow morning.”

I glare at him. “What meeting?”

“With Giles Gold and Parker Keys. They will send you the address where the meeting will be held by 8 a.m.” Nikolas informs us.

Sabrina narrows her eyes. “Can’t we meet them later? After we get Leigh? I mean, London is kinda between Russia and home.”

Nikolas’s expression hardens. “No.”

My gut churns, a dark feeling creeping into my veins. “I agree with Sabrina. I don’t care if we have to wait another fucking month to meet with them. Finding Leigh is more important than meeting a bunch of fucking attorneys.”

Nikolas exhales sharply, his voice dropping into that lethal calm that means there’s no arguing. “Take your ‘travel guide,’” he tells Sabrina, his eyes flicking toward the fourth journal disguised beneath the unassuming cover. “Giles needs to see it.”Then his gaze lands on me. “And you—take the documents your mother told you to bring.”

I nod, already knowing which ones he means.

“And ID,” Viktor adds. “Galina said to remind you both—Giles and Parker are thorough.”

Sabrina makes a face. “Why does that sound like we’re applying for fucking visas instead of meeting a couple of lawyers?”

I rub my jaw, considering that for a moment. Viktor isn’t wrong. The men we’re about to meet deal in more than just legal contracts. They’re the kind of people who don’t just represent the most powerful—they manage them, protect them, and, when necessary, make people disappear for them. If they want ID, it’s not for bureaucratic bullshit. It’s for control.

Nikolas watches me carefully before his next words drop like stones in my gut. “Don’t tell anyone where you’re going. Not even Oleksi. Not Syd. Not Clyde.”

Sabrina sits up straighter. “Why?” Suspicion laces her voice. “Do you think they’ll feel left out for not being invited?”

A loaded silence stretches between us before Viktor speaks. “Because we don’t know if we can trust them.”

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