Page 18 of Bound By Ruin

Celia

Luringa serial killer out of hiding is a multi-step process. Part one: pretend that everything in my life is normal. The trouble is, my new normal involves a lot more men than just one hanging around me, and the thought of returning to my clients to assure them that everything is on track for the upcoming charity gala—when absolutelynothingis on schedule—feels like the biggest lie of my life.

“I can’t do this,” I whisper, halting in front of Heather Hanson’s ornate front door. My reflection in the intricate glass design is as distorted as this sudden shift back to my old reality feels. “This isn’t even the original concept design I showed her. It’s a completely different gown!” I shift the box in my arms and try not to let my frustration show on my face. I’m a woman who prides herself in doing good work—thebestwork—and bringing a client a different dress than the one she’s expecting raises a huge red flag for both my business and my reputation. “It would be one thing if I had called her ahead of time?—”

Rage reaches around me to push the doorbell. “You wanted to help. This is helping.”

“I don’t see how parading around the city accomplishes anything?—”

The front door opens wide a moment later, and Heather looks just as surprised to see me as I knew she would. “Celia, darling, we don’t have an appointment until next week.” Once she spots the pale blue ribbon perfectly wrapped around the white box in my hand, however, her lips pucker as she attempts not to smile. “It seems you’ve brought me a gift.” Her crystal blue eyes glitter with excitement. Everyone knows that when Celia Monrovia wraps something in ribbon, it’s special. “Is that what I think it is?”

I put on a winning smile. “Why don’t you open it and find out? Could we come in?”

“Of course. I’ll never say no to a gift.” Heather stares longingly at the package before opening the front door and beckoning us inside. “You even brought your little boyfriend with you. How cute. Joining her for work today, hm? I bet he’s the kind of man who loves to see his woman in action.” She winks over her shoulder before leading us into a sitting room. “Now, let’s see that dress!”

I’ve barely extended my arms before she’s snatching the box from my grasp. Tugging at the ribbon, she unknots the bow and lets it fall to the floor before popping open the lid. “Oh, it’s marvelous! I can already tell.” She grasps the fabric and pulls the dress free.

“This is a mock-up,” I carefully inform her. “I went with different colors than we discussed, but I know how much you enjoy standing out.” The bright gold and maroon sequins sewn into the bodice sparkle in the light, and Heather brushes her fingertips over them as she scrutinizes the design. “If we replace the sequins with beading or faux gemstones, we could further elevate the design, but I wanted your input before moving forward.”

Heather holds the dress up to her body and swings her hips. “Itisdifferent than the initial concept, but you know me well enough to know that I need to be the center of attention. I won’t have Janette Fowler outdoingme. Last I heard, she was going to wear a feather boa like one of those dancer girls from the twenties. It’s casino night, not a speakeasy, for Christ’s sake!” She rolls her eyes. “Let me try this on, and we’ll see where all the pins need to be. You’re ready for that, aren’t you?” Not waiting for my answer, she points to the other side of the room. “The lighting is best over there by the window, so you can set up while I get changed.”

Once Heather disappears into a back room, Rage checks in with the team through our communications system. Each one of us has an earpiece with a dual speaker and microphone, some kind of state-of-the-art tech that the brothers assure me is not only untraceable but necessary for our operation. “Any movement?”

“No, but we laid the breadcrumbs, so all he has to do is follow.” Thanatos’s voice is as clear as if he were standing right beside me. I fiddle with the earpiece in my left ear, earning a disapproving look from Rage. It’s only inconspicuous if we act natural, but there’s nothing natural about having four men whispering in your ear all at once. Then there’s the matter of the so-called breadcrumbs the boys laid out for their dad to follow. They’ve taken over the boutique’s social media accounts and posted not only about the fire and the devastation it’s laid on the business, but they’ve left hints about my schedule for the next few days, leading up to the charity gala in a few weeks. The boutique might be gone, but the business lives on.

“It might be a good thing you don’t have a storefront anymore,” Rebel muses through our comms. “He can’t lay any more traps. He’llhaveto come out and grab you.”

“How comforting.” I smile as Heather reappears with a floor-length mirror in hand. Once she sets it up and gets into position, I quickly get to work pinning all the sections on her dress that will need brought in and hemmed. While my fingers move, the boys continue their discussion in my ear, choosing which clients to visit next and where to have lunch in the city. They debate over which location would be best: a sunlit patio where anyone can easily find me, or a dimly lit dive bar more suited to sneak attacks from serial killers trying to kidnap you.

“I invited your mother to lunch,” Rage says suddenly, catching me off guard. “We should go somewhere she might like.”

I prick my finger with a pin. “Youwhat?” Dread churns in my gut. I haven’t spoken to my mother since our phone call a few weeks ago when she found out I was dating again. At the time, I hadn’t considered Rage or his any of his brothers as more than a semi-casual fling, but a lot has changed since then. My mother can sniff out feelings like a bloodhound. She’ll sense how deep I’m in immediately, and then the questions will start.

How long have you been dating? You’re not getting any younger, Celia; are you finally going to give me grandchildren with this fine gentleman?

I try not to snort as I picture my mother’s face once she meets Rage. She’ll alsobe able to sniff out that he’s a bratva man, and I’m not sure whether or not she’ll be happy about it. On the one hand, she’ll be glad to fold me back into bratva social life to maintain her own status and reputation,especiallyif I’m going to have children. Heirs are what keep the bratva going—and they’re as much bargaining chips as they are cogs in the wheel to keep the bratva going. Alliances are made from arranged marriages and ties to other bratva, and the Monrovia name entering the gene pool won’t go unnoticed. I have no doubt that Russian elders have already been talking about my brother since he finally settled down and married Valentina with Ezra and Andrei. With both Baranova and Monrovia blood in its veins, their baby will be heir toeverythingin Harlin Heights, even if it ends up being Andrei or Ezra’s child.Their bloodlines are strong because they’vemadethem strong.

I’m not so sure that everyone will agree on my child having such strong parentage, given not only my father’s history, but my own track record within the bratva and the brothers’ violent reputation. Unlike Mikhail, I haven’t exactly made a name for myself. If my mother sticks to tradition, she’ll no doubt mention Rage, Rebel, and Ruin’s bratva ranks, too. So on the other hand, although she’ll be happy with my return to the bratva, she may not be overjoyed about with whom I’m returning.

Rage smiles broadly, clearly on another page than me about the whole “Meeting the Parents” scenario. I don’t think he realizes the interrogation we’re about to walk into. His brothers, on the other hand, have mixed feedback. They chat in my ear, talking over each other as Rebel saysit’s not fairand Ruin suggests going somewhere private for our lunch date. Thanatos, thankfully, doesn’t have much to say other thanhurry upto keep on-schedule.

Heather catches the look on my face and chuckles warmly. “Has he not met the family yet?” She peers down at me as I mark the perfect hemline for the heels she’s wearing. “Better warn him, dear. Your mother’s a viper.” Meeting Rage’s reflection in the mirror, Heathertuts.“Adella’s got one mean bite when it comes to her children. Watch yourself around her, or she’ll snap.”

Exhaling heavily, I stand up to check my progress. I don’t like commenting on my mother’s behavior, so I merely reply, “she just wants what’s best for us.”

“All good mothers do.” Heather admires her reflection for a moment before pulling at her skin to mirror giving herself a face lift. “Whether theyknowwhat’s best is, well, a little harder to parse. My mother, for instance, always said that I should marry for money instead of love, and look how that turned out. Can’t stand the man.” She runs her hands down her sides and pinches her waist. ”But he sure does have a lot of money to burn.” After a moment, she smiles wickedly. “Add those rubies you mentioned, Celia, and we can even replace some of these sequins with diamonds. Is there a gold stone?” She spins in a slow circle before turning to face me. “I want to look like I’ve been dipped in gold so fine that even my husband remembers what a trophy he’s bought.”

With a promise that I’ll deliver on every request, she’s satisfied enough to change back into her day clothes and walk us to the door. “Oh, and Celia?” Grasping my hand, she meets my eyes. “I’m so glad you’re alright. I heard about what happened to your boutique, and I just—” Shaking her head, she sighs. “The news says that a few women have gone missing. Can you believe it? And Nancy’s niece, the one who goes to that community college across the river? Well, she says that all the girls have started walking in groups on account of a rumor about these two upperclassmen kidnapping a freshman after she humiliated them in public. I’m sure it’s not that serious,” she adds quickly, her mouth curving into a frown. “But it makes you wonder what the world’s coming to, doesn’t it?” She glances over my shoulder at Rage. “Keep her safe, now. She’s a special one.”

The warmth of Rage’s hand on my lower back eases some of the tension in my shoulders. His answer comes smoothly. “We will.”

“Damn right,” Rebel clicks in my ear.

Ruin grunts in agreement, while Thanatos murmurs one little word that makes my heart flutter.

Always.

Chapter9

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