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Hunter winces, but I reach over and take his hand. “I love all three of them. I’m marrying all three of them. I remember you said you’re worried about that causing problems, but trying to ask me to choose and toss two of the men I love to the side, knowing they love me ... that would cause problems for everyone and happiness for no one. Surely you wouldn’t wish that on anyone you care about.”

Mr. Volkov presses his lips together, saying nothing to that.

“Anyway, considering how determined Chase was to get us here, there are more pressing matters than our love life,” Hunter insists, getting us back on track.

Chase gives Hunter a look I can’t read. I blink a few times, check with Lief, but he’s closed off too. What the hell is going on with my men right now? I can read them easier than I can read most books, so why is it impossible?

“The letters?” Hunter presses, his voice strained.

Mr. Volkov takes a breath and lays them out on the table. “Two of the three are addressed to me.”

“And the others?” I ask.

No one answers, so I reach across the table and grab one before they can stop me.

Mr. Volkov,

Or should I say thenewMr. Volkov? We should talk, discuss what to do about the predecessor, or we can cut to the end and set up a time to take care of you both. I don’t appreciate trash in my neighborhood. Your family line has gone on too long. You talk about the need for change, but change can’t happen as long as the Volkovs live and have the option to reproduce. We’d prefer to take care of the men and spare the women ... right?

You have twenty-four hours to choose ...

Or I’ll choose for you.

Xoxo

The letter shakes in my hand.

“Pet, we won’t allow anything to happen to Hunter, Chase, or their father,” Lief say.

“We’ve faced worse, baby doll. Don’t worry,” Chase agrees, stroking my shoulder.

I slam the letter down on the table as my face heats. “These fucking ...”

There’s not a word strong enough to describe them. “Condescending, over-righteous bastards. I bet their mothers are disappointed. I bet they’ve lost every friend they’ve ever had — driven them away, but still blame their friends! I bet-”

“Valerie,” Hunter says, taking my hand.

“Show meallthe letters,” I order.

Mr. Volkov drags them across the table and back into his grip, smoothing them. “I think you’ll ruin them. They’re the only hints we have. There are specific words on the envelopes that lead us to the marina. Of course, this last letter–the one Valerie read–gives us a time.”

“When did you receive it?” Chase asks.

“Security alerted me at four in the morning,” Mr. Volkov says. “I intend on living. I’ve had a long life, longer than I was meant to–thanks to you boys.”

I pace behind Hunter and Chase. Hunter tries to catch me, but I escape his grip. “It won’t be enough.”

“It’s a show of faith. I must answer for my actions. I regret none of them and will happily fight to my last breath. I’m perfectly capable of taking down men as well as my sons,” Mr. Volkov snarls, as if I’ve personally offended him.

“I’m not going to give up my father-in-law over pride,” I huff.

“Please sit, Valerie, before you make me nauseous,” Chase asks.

“Fuck that. I need all the letters. The tone ... there’s something in the tone,” I mutter.

“It’s a letter. The tone is inferred,” Hunter says.

“The tone is implied based on word choice. Even unconscious word choice points to emotional shifts, and can tell us more about the person writing–whether they wrote it while someone else said or it thought of themselves–and could give us a sense of background,” Lief replies.

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