Page 30 of Vendetta Crown

Sofia shakes her head solemnly. "No. Hannah said friends are important."

"She's not wrong about that," Aurora agrees, gently ruffling Sofia's hair. "I won't take long. Promise. And then we can have ourselves a full tea party. All of us."

I guide Aurora down the marble staircase, my hand at the small of her back. Each step sends fierce jolts through my shoulder, but I don't let it show on my face.

Hannah and Artyom stand in the foyer below, locked in what appears to be a heated discussion. Hannah's hands wave animatedly while Artyom watches her with a mix of amusement and something that looks suspiciously like admiration.

"Hannah!" Aurora calls out, her pace quickening.

Hannah whirls around, her face lighting up. "Aurora!"

They rush to each other, and collide in a fierce embrace. I stand back, watching as they cling to each other like survivors of a shipwreck.

And in many ways, they are.

When they pull apart, Hannah gently touches the bruise on Aurora's cheek. Aurora mirrors the gesture, her fingers hovering over the cut on Hannah's face that Kristofer left there.

"Looks like we both got matching souvenirs," Hannah says, her attempt at humor undermined by the slight tremor in her voice.

"I'm so sorry he hurt you," Aurora whispers. "I never wanted you caught in the middle of this."

A weight settles in my chest, heavy and cold. I promised to keep Aurora safe. I promised to keep everyone safe. And yet, here they stand, two people I swore to protect, both bearing the marks of that monster's hands.

Artyom approaches me, his expression grim. "Security systems are being completely redone as we speak," he murmurs in Russian. "Bringing in specialists from Russia to do custom codes. No one's getting in without us knowing this time."

I nod sharply. "And any updates on weapons shipments?"

"Already in motion. We'll have serious firepower arriving within the week." He adjusts his stance. "The production companies are on standby for further orders if we need to bring in heavier firepower. Start production for another war movie, and I can get you enough equipment to build you an army."

"So what happens next?" Hannah asks, her eyes darting between Aurora and me. "What's the plan?"

Aurora straightens her shoulders. "We're going to expose Kristofer for what he is. For what he did to my family. We're making a documentary about it all. Something he can't bury with his police connections."

Hannah's eyebrows shoot up. "You're going to go public with everything?"

"Everything," Aurora confirms. "It's the only way to cut him off from Semyon and any other allies he's made."

"When will production begin?" Hannah turns to me, all business now. "How soon can you get this rolling?"

"Two weeks, at most," I answer, my mind already racing through logistics. "I need to push some paperwork through, but we can expedite everything. Aurora will write the script."

"And you're sure you’re ready to do this?" Hannah asks Aurora softly. "To face your past?"

"I'm done running." Aurora's eyes meet mine before returning to Hannah. "It's time I let the past die. And if it won't die willingly, then I'm going to kill it."

8

AURORA

The garden sunlightfeels too bright and cheerful against the awareness crawling under my skin. I sit stiffly at the small table bedecked with flowery china teacups and finger sandwiches.

Stella carefully pours imaginary tea into each cup while Sofia arranges cookies on delicate saucers. Their childish delight feels surreal against the backdrop of armed men patrolling the perimeter.

Just like last time.

My teacup trembles slightly in my hand. The last tea party I attended with these girls ended with Kristofer's gift and me falling back into his grasp.

I take a deep breath, trying to focus on the scent of roses rather than the memory of his hot breath against my ear.

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