Page 39 of Fierce Vows

Chapter Fifteen

Dead Man’s Hand

Rafe

Watching Willow walkup the steps of the Russian monstrosity Kirrill Singleton calls home on the arm of another man may be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.The fact her ankle is wrapped in a gold manacle to show hersoldstatus, the fine gold chain that twirls around her thigh and connects elegantly to her wrist is on public display proves what a truly terrible idea this façade is.

Ivanoff has held to his word, keeping his gaze respectful at all times.I’m glad of it, as it would irk me to murder my host in his own home.For his son, however, with his wandering eyes and wayward hands, I can’t say the same.

They make a pretty couple, Willow dressed in a gold lamé pantsuit, neck to toe with slits up the side to show off her jewelry, Ivanoff in his black tux.A whore and her master.That’s tonight’s theme.I don’t see anyone else wearing manacles, but then, I suspect our host has a bank account larger than most of the guests.

Except, perhaps, our target.

We have one shot at tonight.The fact I’m not with her sits poorly in my gut, like three-day old seafood on the cusp of inedibility.I shift in my seat as Dom growls at me, working the drone’s controls.The tiny device floats overhead almost at cloud level.The military grade tech Ivanoff acquired on demand provides excellent intel and reduces our chance of discovery.

“Stop fucking fidgeting,” Dom mutters as he stares at the miniscule display.

I hover over his shoulder and attempt not to be a backseat pilot, but I’m shit at it.“Let me know if you need a break,” I suggest, but the terse words sound pithy to my own years.

He snorts.“No chance.You’ll fly us into a cloud.Or worse.”

I concede as he dodges a waft of the fluffy stuff and focuses on the party guests, making an inventory of who’s who.Thalia saves the data on a connected laptop, working through everything she can.It looks like my ex head of security has been teaching my ex healer a few tricks in my absence.Not that I object to a little upskilling right now.

My head is awhirl with a low level panic I can’t see beyond while everyone else around me is focused on the mission.But without Willow beside me, I’m lost.The fear of not getting her back tonight is crippling.Ever since I had Dom bring her to me in my father’s club that first night, she’s been in my veins, her soul etched next to mine.

But I can’t stand and watch while she dives head first into danger without me.Dom’s head is down, while Thalia searches the guest list for names.Our team and theirs are working.The only person not doing something right now is me.

An easy problem to rectify.

I retreat from the rented room one step at a time.The moment my feet hit the hallway, the door sliding shut on me, I turn and stride away.Once, Dom would have looked back and seen me but tonight he’s too distracted.I’m not sure if that is a good thing as he directs Willow through the microscopic earpiece she wears that Ivanoff promises is undetectable, or if it bodes poorly for the entire operation.

Either way, they can do the whole thing without me.

I don’t bother to count and see how long it takes for them to discover I’m no longer in the rented apartment.My heels clip along at a quick pace as I hit the stairs and take them two at a time.My path takes me out of the building, and the long way around the block, across the street and through the front gate.

There are nights to hide and operations where stealth is critical.Tonight, Singleton’s party is lit with security every five feet around his boundary.If I try to sneak in, his men will pin me before I make it three steps onto the property.

I’m banking on the fact the bastard will be curious to see what I have to say to him.I’m banking on him thinking I’m unaware Willow is here.And I’m banking on the fact he doesn’t know she’s free.

If I’m wrong on any of those counts, I may have just signed my own death warrant...

And hers.

As I approach the gates, the nearest security guard raises his hand to his cheek.That same hand then drifts to his sidearm but doesn’t connect as I stroll past and offer a friendly smile.My bet pays off.He doesn’t ask for an invitation, or identification.Nor am I challenged at any other checkpoint from there on in.

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