Page 118 of Stricken

"We'd need that layout before we get there. Not going in blind," Seven says.

Vlad shifts his gaze to me. "Can you draw it up?"

"Yes."

His hand settles on my shoulder, a silent gesture of support. "Alright, everyone. With Nico's knowledge and help from Marco's guy, we have a real shot at pulling this off."

The crew nods, their features are a blend of determination and excitement. They know the dangers. They also know the price of failure.

Backing out is not an option. It leads to a life of regret. It's better to try.

Or die trying.

* * *

With the plan laid out and the stage set through Marco's contact, we retreat to Vlad's office in Purgatory. It feels weird being here, surrounded by all the sleek sophistication, polished surfaces, and muted colors after the utilitarian space of the warehouse.

But I can't appreciate the irony right now. Not when dread turns my gut into a pretzel, its claws sinking deeper and deeper with every second that ticks by.

Yes, I deserve Tony's empire but not this way. Not when he's already dying. Killing him isn't something I'm capable of. Family is sacred. That's what Father always said.

"Hey," I turn to face Vlad as he closes the door behind us, "Stay here."

He scoffs dismissively.

"I'm serious."

"I know. So am I." He moves to stand closer to me, close enough for his hands to wrap around my neck.

Shivers rush through me. I'm starting to lose control with him being in my personal space. His touch is both poison and antidote. And I want to freeze this moment, freeze the time itself. So I could smell him, feel him, savor the warms of his palm around my throat and the tickle of his thumb caressing my Adam's apple.

"I can't keep on asking you to do my dirty work, Vlad," I whisper. "It's too dangerous."

"You want to use my men but you don't want me to go?" he hisses, his mouth near my ear. "Sounds counterproductive."

"It's not your fight."

"It is if it concerns you, Romeo."

"You're so fucking stubborn. Must be the Russian thing."

"That's exactly what it is. And you like it."

"I never said I didn't."

I push the tempting thoughts aside and let my frustration fill me. It's hot and fierce and I use it. "I can't watch you put your life at risk because of me and my family."

Finally, Vlad's mask of a leader falls away. He's just a man. "I know, Nico, I do. But you're too close to this. Your uncle—"

"I get it. Emotions are bad in our line of work," I interrupt, running a shaky hand over my jaw, feeling the day's worth of stubble on my skin. "But Tony's like a second father to me."

"That's exactly why I'm coming with. I have no attachments to your family. I'll make better judgment calls if it comes to hard decisions."

We stare at each other, neither one of us willing to back down. The silence stretches like a taut wire, vibrating with words and desires unuttered.

Later, I think to myself. We'll talk about us later. Now, we've got a city to save.

CHAPTER39

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