Page 128 of Brutal Reign

Before I can ask what she means, Dinara comes through my earpiece again. “Chen just entered through the main entrance. He’s on his own with no visible escort. Security patted him down, and he doesn’t have any weapons.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask, gripping her hand. “It’s not too late to back out. I’ll find another way to capture this piece of shit.”

She holds my face and brings my mouth to hers. “We end this tonight.”

Her phone buzzes, and she reluctantly pulls away from me. She reads the message, and I watch her swallow hard. With a deep exhale, she rises, smooths down her dress, and discreetly checks that the knife is in place.

The next few minutes are going to be hard. She’ll meet Chen on the main floor, convince him she has somewhere private to talk, then bring him up to the VIP bathroom, where Roman and I will be waiting. Simple plan. But Chen might want to take her somewhere else entirely, given that his real goal is getting her out of here.

As long as she stays in this building, we can get to her. At least, that’s the plan, but plans have a way of going downhill fast.

I grasp her jaw and pull her in for a final kiss, then say the words I desperately need her to hear.

“I love you. I’ve loved you since the moment you stabbed me.” I grin. “Promise you’ll come back to me.”

She closes her eyes for a second, like she’s holding on to this moment. When she looks at me again, her eyes glisten. “I love you too, Pavel. More than I ever thought possible. I’ll always come back to you.”

Then she turns and walks toward the stairs.

CHAPTER

FORTY-SIX

HOPE

The bassfrom Element’s sound system thrums through my body as I descend the stairs from the VIP floor. Pavel’s words fuel me, burning away the fear and sharpening my mind to a razor’s edge.

He loves me and wants to adopt Kin. Tomorrow, he’ll understand he doesn’t have to. But right now, all that matters is getting us there.

I know Pavel’s people have eyes on me, ready to intervene if necessary. That knowledge should comfort me, but my stomach churns with nerves. In a few minutes, I’ll be face to face with the man who betrayed me in the cruelest way possible, and I have to pretend I still trust him completely.

The main floor pulses with music and movement, beautiful people in expensive clothes dancing under the shifting lights. The air is thick with perfume and sweat as I push through the crowd and scan the space.

I spot Chen standing near the main bar, looking every inch the distinguished gentleman in his perfectly tailored charcoal suit. He’s aged since I last saw him many years ago. His hairhas gone completely silver, and there are new lines around his eyes, but he still carries himself with the same quiet authority that made me trust him as a child. Looking at him now, knowing what he’s done, makes me sick.

Still, I paste on my brightest smile and move toward him through the crowd.

“Uncle Chen,” I call out when I’m close enough, injecting every ounce of false joy I can muster into my voice.

His face lights up. For a moment, I almost believe his happiness is genuine.

“Little bird,” he says, calling me by my childhood nickname. The sick bastard. He opens his arms for an embrace, and I hesitate for a beat before forcing myself to close the distance even while my skin crawls. “You look beautiful. Just like your mother.”

“I can’t believe you came all this way,” I say when we pull apart. “Are you sure it’s safe? I know what a risk you’re taking for me.”

Lies, lies, lies.

“Nothing is more important than family,” Chen says, and the sincerity in his voice is so convincing it makes me wonder when he became such a master manipulator. Was he always this way? Did he play my father too, or did Simon’s corruption spread like a disease? “Besides, I have something that belongs to you. Something your father wanted you to have.” He pats his suit jacket.

“This isn’t really the place for that kind of conversation,” I say, glancing around at the crowded dance floor. “Let’s go to the second floor. I know somewhere we can meet privately.”

“Where is your Russian captor?” Chen raises his voice to be heard over the music. His tone is casual, but his eyes are sharp. “I mean…husband. You know I was surprised to hear you say he’s not a monster.”

I tense and force a smile. “I just meant he wasn’t abusive, not that I was happy. He’s busy with his cronies anyway. He doesn’t care what I do, as long as I stay in the club.”

Chen nods, seemingly pleased with my suggestion. “Best to be cautious. Lead the way.”

We move through the crowd with him behind me, and I catch a glimpse of Niko near the DJ booth. Our eyes meet for just a moment, and he gives me the subtlest nod—a small gesture that reminds me I’m not alone.