Page 70 of Royal Bargain

“Papa… he’s not the one calling the shots right now. Not really. He’s too tied up with the trial, with trying to keep his empire from falling apart. His lawyers are bleeding him dry. His temper’s worse than ever. But he’s not behind what happened at the gala. I swear it.”

I want to believe her. God, I want to.

“Then who is?” My voice is hoarse. “Liam said there were men at the scene—Russian men.”

Sasha winces. “Some of the upper ranks are furious about the Harborview deal getting blocked. They think Burns made it personal. There’s been talk, whispers about taking him outbefore he can run his mouth to the Feds. But that talk didn’t come from Papa.”

My arms tighten instinctively around Lily.

Sasha steps a little closer. “Dariy’s been stirring things up. He’s pushing the others, saying it’s time we remind people we’re still dangerous. That if we don’t act, the Irish will get stronger, and Papa will lose everything.”

My stomach churns. “So it was him?”

She hesitates, then shakes her head slowly. “I don’t know. No one’s admitting to anything. But I heard one of the lieutenants mention a cleaner was sent to Thornville a few days before the gala. That doesn’t just… happen. Not without someone high up pulling strings.”

“And Papa didn’t order it?”

“I don’t think he even knows.” Her voice breaks slightly. “He’s losing control, Ana. It’s like cracks are forming beneath his feet, and no one’s telling him. Everyone’s jockeying for position while he’s distracted. Dariy’s practically running the place behind closed doors.”

I stare down at Lily, her cheek pressed to my chest. The heat of her body is so small, so fragile. She deserves better than this.

“So, what do I do?” I ask quietly. “If it wasn’t Papa, but it was still them, how do I protect her from that?”

Sasha looks at me with tears in her eyes. “You already are. Just by staying away.”

Before I can say anything else, Sasha’s bodyguard steps forward. I’d almost forgotten he was there—silent, looming. His presence is different from Shane’s. Colder. Calculating.

I glance at him warily. “You used to work for my father.”

He nods once. “Still do, technically. But I was assigned to Sasha before you left. He trusted me to protect her.”

There’s something deliberate in the way he says that. Like he wants me to know,I’m not your enemy. Not yet.

He looks at Lily, then back at me. “He wants you back, Annika. That hasn’t changed. But not like this. Not… in chains. He wants his daughter. His legacy.”

I swallow hard. “If he wants me back, he has a funny way of showing it. Letting his men put a target on my back doesn’t exactly scream fatherly love.”

The bodyguard’s jaw tightens, and he shakes his head. “He didn’t order it.”

“You’re sure?” I press.

“Yes. Right now, all Anatoly Volkov wants is to walk free. He’s not thinking about vendettas or retaliation. His mind is on the trial—on cutting deals, calling in favors, keeping the empire intact until he can breathe again. War isn’t part of the plan.”

“But someone else wants one,” I murmur.

His eyes meet mine. Steady. Intense.

“Some people,” he says slowly, “have learned to speak in his voice. They know the power his name still carries. And they aren’t above using it to justify their own ambitions.”

A chill goes down my spine. “Who?”

He looks away.

“Who?”

“I’ve said too much already,” he mutters, glancing at Sasha. “We should go.”

Sasha’s face twists in conflict, like she wants to argue, but she doesn’t. She reaches out and touches my arm one last time, gently.