Page 64

DECLAN

M y mind is reeling from the information Enzo gathered.

To me, it makes no sense.

Tatiana? Other names? Russia? It’s meaningless to me and my empire.

My office door swings open, and Enzo pours himself a neat vodka.

“Do not, under any circumstances, kill her.” He points at me and knocks back his drink.

“Who is Tatiana?” I ask.

“A fucking ghost. My concern, I’ll deal with it.”

He shrugs, pouring another.

“My interrogation is done; get that information to me, then do whatever with her. Alive, obviously. I may need more answers. Do not let her free either. I have to go. And we are getting that fucking notepad.”

“And the other girls? We usually have a couple more days to organize plans.”

He pulls out his phone.

“I’ll sort it out. Romeo will send the details and transportation. Everything is in place. They will all be safe, and Finn can get to work on the elimination process. Charlotte is your priority now.”

By the time he’s finished the shot, he’s already halfway to the door, pulling out his phone and calling someone.

Perfect.

Don’t kill her.

Don’t let her go.

So, I guess, hold her hostage and get her to beg for forgiveness.

A smirk tugs on my lips. That doesn’t sound half bad.

For now, I’ll let her stew.

Instead, I get the monitor feed up on my phone and head down to the holding rooms with Finn.

By the time I arrive, he’s got all the girls clothed again and all sitting in a line on the back wall.

The angry red marks catch my eye on Tara’s throat, and I bite back my grin.

“All set?” I whisper, leaning in to my brother.

“For what? What’s the fucking plan?”

Rubbing my hands over my face, I nod to Reggie to step in as Finn leaves the room.

“You killed your girl yet?” he asks as the door shuts behind us.

“I won’t be. She’s staying with me until further notice.”

His jaw ticks, and he shoves his hands in his pockets.

“Right. Let me guess, Enzo wants her alive?” His voice deepens.

“Yeah. She has information he needs. Lot of background here, he needs to fill in some gaps, but I trust him.”

“Hmm. So she gets the golden ticket, I assume?”

I nod slowly.

“Yea. Games are over. I’ve got my sub.”

I suppose she does. I can make her life hell for as long as I want.

“So, now what?” Finn questions.

“You work with Enzo to complete phase two.”

Now that makes him smile.

“We might have an issue persuading one of the girls.”

“The strangled blonde with a daddy fetish?”

When he chuckles, I start to relax.

“Yeah. How’d you guess? What if we let your girl loose in a room with her? Might solve the headache for us.”

As fun as that would be, it’s not who we are.

We steal them away from the real danger.

We’ve never come up against a contestant who refuses to start a new life and leave their old behind.

“Looks like her father is first on your list. She can’t go running to him then. She will come around; Enzo will know where to place her to keep her safe, even if it is from herself for a while until she realizes.”

Finn tuts.

“Of course he does.”

I clasp his shoulder and look at him in his pale gray eyes.

“Get it done. This has been a fucking mess, yes. But we’re the Quinn brothers. We deal with it and move on. This is just a little blip, okay? Once I’ve dealt with Charlotte.”

His eyes go wide.

“Charlotte. Sure suits her better.”

“She’s married,” I reply deadpan.

“Easily resolved.”

I laugh.

“You and Enzo are more alike than you think.” I wink at him, and he scowls.

“Let’s sort this shit show out and let me get my hands dirty. I’ll calm down once I start that.”

“Keep the hands clean, brother,” I warn.

Surgeon by day, fucking serial killer by night. A psycho with a killer grin.

“You got it, boss. Go get your girl.”

I huff and step back.

“I don’t want her, not like that. I just want the truth.”

He shakes his head and rolls up his sleeve, looking at his silver watch.

“I give it maybe six hours before she’s etched under your skin again. I saw the way you looked at her in Italy. I can see how riled up you are now. Husband or not. I know when you want something, you go after it and take no prisoners. Just don’t fucking let her tear our empire down.” He pauses and frowns.

“Or tear your heart out,” he finishes quietly.

“I’ve got this. Heart is shielded.” I knock my fist over my chest.

“Better be reinforced.”

“Catch up later. Have fun.” I wave before turning on my heel and heading down the hallway.

Stopping outside her door, I pull out my phone to see what she’s up to.

I wish I could shut off my feelings when I look at her. But even now, my breath catches in my throat.

My hand hovers over the keypad. I know the next interaction seals our fate.

Which version of her will I get?

Which version of her is the real Charlotte?

Who is she, and why is she lodged in my fucking heart like the blade she drew?