Page 238 of Bratva Jewels Box Set

Grace is right.

She reaches out and taps Dmitri on the arm. “Shall we change

partners?”

Dmitri’s eyes open wide, and a genuine smile forms on his face.

“Grace,” I hiss, but she ignores me.

Elena looks at me and then at Grace. She knows what Dmitri has put her through and yet here she is sacrificing herself so I can talk to my sister and plan how we’re going to kill this fucker. If I wasn’t already in love with her, I would be now. I watch asDmitri pulls Grace into his arms, and she stiffens against him. My blood boils as he whispers into her ear.

She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Maxim.” Elena steps into my arms, but my eyes never leave Grace.

“We have time to catch up later once all this shit is over with.” I don’t mean to sound abrupt, but I can feel my blood pressure rising. “What’s your plan? You do have one, don’t you?”

“Of course, I do, I’m not an amateur. I’ve been trained for this.”

I can see the killer behind those emerald eyes. “Then tell me.”

Elena takes an unsteady breath. “You’re not going to like it, Maxim, as I need Grace.”

I shake my head. “No, leave her out of it.”

“Ivan wants the jewels, and he knows I’m one of them, but having two—no matter the risk, he would take it.”

I keep shaking my head. I will not use Grace as a pawn, luring some madman to his death. She’s already escaped one, and now I have sent her back into his arms. I watch as Grace tries to put on a strong front while dancing with Dmitri, but I can see she’s dying, little by little, inside. I can’t do this to her.

Elena stops and stares at me. “Maxim, she will be safe. It will be quick. She’ll get out. I know who you are, I’ve heard the stories. I’m just like you, Max, I’m as good.Please trust me when I say I will end this, and Grace will never have to fear Dmitri or the Bratva ever again.” She says it with such conviction that I find myself agreeing with her.

33

GRACE

Iwant to be sick.

Being in Dmitri’s arms again makes my skin crawl, but I can sense Maxim’s eyes on me, letting me know that I’m okay, that he has me covered.

“I’ve missed you, Grace,” Dmitri whispers into my ear.

“Shame the feeling isn’t mutual.”

He laughs. “I guess that’s fair. Nikolai, he was very ... you know, convincing.”

“You needed no convincing, Dmitri.”

He shrugs. “So, you and the assassin, hey?”

“Yes, what did you expect, placing a whore with a man like him?”

Dmitri’s fingers dig into my arm. “I didn’t expect that you would

fall for him.”

I look into the devil’s eyes.

“You don’t think I know you, Grace? Remember, I have been