Page 268 of Enemies

“I’ll check.” Pause. “Yes. Why?”

I look at Eva. Her pretty face has healed from what Mischa did to it, but I can’t forget how the bruises looked under her skin.

I know what it is to have someone take from me in a way that’s unforgivable. To not only violate me but make me question myself. The doubt, the fear, the need to get out of my own skin because it doesn’t feel safe.

This time, I know where the danger lies. And it’s more imminent, more treacherous, than any I’ve walked into before.

But on the other side is safety for the people like the woman who died at Bliss, the ones who would be harmed by Mischa’s empire. It’s for the people I love, the ones who’d do anything for me.

I never used to believe in that kind of loyalty and devotion.

Now, I do. I’m not afraid of it.

The phone at my ear, I say to Eva, “Get me into the VIP room.”

“I can get you in, but I can’t get you out,” Eva says.

I don’t trust her for a second. But I trust the man on the other end of the phone. And my friends.

“Harrison…” I murmur into the microphone.

“Raegan, don’t even fucking think about it.“ The panic in his voice makes me swallow hard.

“I need to tell you?—“

“We have to go.” Eva grabs the phone and clicks off.

As I follow Eva to the hall, blood pounding in my ears, all I can think is I hope he knows I love him.

28

RAE

Eva’s knock on the door of the VIP room is crisp. She’s close enough her perfume hangs in the air. I breathe through my mouth and count the seconds, half hoping the door doesn’t open.

I reach seven before the door swings wide, revealing a huge security guard with a tattooed face.

“I brought entertainment for my fiancé.”

If Eva’s nervous, she doesn’t sound it. Her choice of words makes the hairs on my arms lift under the tuxedo jacket.

The guard’s gaze rolls down my body. I fold my arms to hide the camera, and his attention stops on my breasts.

“Turn. Arms out,” he states.

Shit. I’m really wishing my security hadn’t been detained at the other end of this long hall at the insistence of Mischa’s men that only Eva and I could pass.

I face away, my gaze locking with Eva’s. Now she’s nervous too.

He starts at my ankles, hands lingering on my calves, my thighs.

“Don’t damage his property,” Eva says lightly. “He’ll be angry if you do.”

“Hey!” The bark has the man freezing, casting a look over his shoulder. “Bring her here.”

Security steps back to reveal four men—two guards and two seated men in suits.

Mischa Ivanov is impossible to miss even reclined on the couch. His suit is crisp, a red handkerchief sticking out of his breast pocket. Cold blue eyes see into me, through me. I feel for the camera, making sure it’s still unblocked. Hopefully, it still works.

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