Page 142 of Red Fury
“I got her out just in time,” I continue. “Thanks again for your help, Webb. I couldn’t have found her without you.”
“I’m happy she’s safe and not too badly hurt,” he says, but there’s something in his tone that puts me on edge. “Damien, are you sure that you and Kozlov are on good terms?”
“We are,” I tell him. “Kozlov was furious about what happened. That one of his men took Claire like that. We had a long talk. All is well. We’re good. I’d say we’re on better terms than before this happened.”
Webb sighs. “Well, that’s interesting because Kozlov was in touch a little earlier, and he’s pulled out of the arms deal.”
Thank fuck!
I have to bite back a smile of relief, quickly schooling my emotions so Webb doesn’t hear anything in my voice. This is huge. This is exactly what we needed. One tick for Kozlov.
“He what?” I say, injecting the right amount of shock and disappointment into my voice. “That’s terrible. Everything was all planned out. Why has he dropped us like that?”
“We were due to make payment today,” Webb says, and I can hear papers rustling in the background. “Everything was on track. I don’t understand what went wrong.”
“I’m not sure either,” I lie. “Like I said, Kozlov and I are fine. This has nothing to do with me or what happened. I swear it.”
“That’s what makes this so fucking confusing,” Webb mutters. “Look, Damien, I’m trying to get a meeting with Roman, but I’m being blocked at every turn. I need you to see what you can do. I need to find out what’s going on. Harrison is fucked off about this. I need to fix this, pronto. My contract is on the line here.”
I feel a stab of guilt at the desperation in his voice. The male genuinely has no idea what’s really happening here.
“I’ll do what I can,” I tell him. “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try to reach out to him. I owe you that much.”
“We’ll be all squared up if you can get me that meeting,” Webb says. “You would be a lifesaver.”
“I’ll try my very best,” I say, feeling worse because I know I’m leaving. “Let me see what I can do,” I lie through my teeth, but there’s nothing else I can do. It’s not like I can tell him the truth.
“Good. That’s all I can ask for.”
We say our goodbyes, and I end the call, staring down at the phone for a moment.
“What was that about?”
I turn to find Shadow standing in the doorway, listening. She’s wearing dark jeans and a cream-colored blouse with a silk scarf wrapped around her neck. I know it’s there to hidethe still-healing bite wound, but she looks beautiful. Ready for whatever’s waiting for her back home.
My dragon snarls at the thought of her leaving.
I know, buddy. I feel it too.
“Kozlov has pulled out of the arms deal,” I tell her. “That was Webb.” I point at my phone.
Her eyes widen slightly. “So Roman was telling the truth about pulling out.” She walks further into the room, her expression thoughtful. “Maybe he was telling the truth about everything else, too.”
I shrug, not willing to commit to trusting the vampire completely. “I’m not sure. All I know is that Steel and my king don’t believe a word. Hopefully, this will help my case.”
She nods, sitting on the sofa. “I just found out that I’m being handed over to Mainland officials as soon as I land.” She has tears in her eyes.
“What? Not a fuck!” The words come out sharp, anger flaring hot and fast in my chest. “Maybe you should tell them everything.”
She shakes her head. “I can’t. I’ll send a text letting them know about the arms deal falling through, but… You heard Kozlov. He made it clear that we can’t trust just anyone. He said that there were spies among the Council members.”
“What are you going to do? You can’t just hand yourself in. They’ll give you those drugs.”
“I don’t want to,” she says, “but what should I do? Taking that vaccination terrifies me…but it is what it is.” She shrugs, looking defeated, which isn’t like her at all.
“I don’t like it. I wish…”
“What?” Her big eyes are on me.
