Page 107 of Royal Deception

I hesitate. It’s not the worst idea. If there’s even a chance Kellan can get through to Aleksey, it might be our only shot at getting Clary out without bloodshed.

“And what if Aleksey doesn’t give a shit about old Kellan anymore?” I ask, voice tight. “What if this just puts a target on Kellan’s back, too?”

Lucky shrugs. “Then he’ll handle it. You know Kellan. He’s not gonna stand by while anyone in our family is in danger. And if this goes south, at least we’ll know where Aleksey stands before you go storming in there alone.”

I exhale hard, my pulse still racing. Fuck. I don’t like relying on anyone else to get shit done—especially not when Clary’s lifeis on the line. But if this can work, if Kellan can make Aleksey listen…

I scrub a hand over my jaw. “Fine. Call him.”

Lucky doesn’t waste a second. He grabs his phone, dialing fast. I listen to the rings, my gut twisting with every second that passes.

Then Kellan picks up. “This had better be important.”

Lucky doesn’t even flinch. “Clary’s in trouble. We need your help.”

Then Kellan inhales sharply. “Fuck. Tell me everything.”

Lucky and I pace the room, tension thick between us. My phone feels like a live wire in my hand, and when it finally buzzes, I answer before the first ring finishes.

"Tell me you’ve got something," I snap.

Kellan exhales. "Aleksey wants to talk to you himself, Rory."

My stomach drops. “That means he has her.” There’s silence on the other end, and Kellan doesn’t say anything to dispute me. I clench my jaw, my blood boiling. “Fine. Get me on the phone with him.”

Kellan hesitates. “Be careful, Rory.”

The line goes dead.

I lower the phone, my grip tight. Lucky watches me, his expression grim. “This could be a trap.”

I nod once, my pulse pounding. “Yeah.”

But if Aleksey has Clary, I don’t give a damn.

44

RORY

The phone rings once, twice, and I’m already bracing myself for the storm that’s coming when Aleksey finally picks up. His voice is low and measured, but the anger behind it is unmistakable.

“You really thought you could get away with this, Rory?” he asks, the words dripping with disdain. “Anatoly’s in a cell, and you think you’ve won?”

I clench my jaw, but my grip on the phone tightens, my heart pounding in my chest. “What do you want, Aleksey?” If he thinks he can get to me, he’s fucking stupid. We just put Anatoly in prison. We’re un-fucking-touchable right now.

He chuckles darkly, like he’s savoring the moment. “What do I want? Oh, it’s simple. You give me yourself. You hand over control of your family’s business. Everything you’ve worked for, Rory. You’ll give it all to the Russians. And then, I’ll let Clary and her baby go.”

My throat tightens at the mention of her, and I fight to keep my voice steady. “Or?”

Aleksey’s tone sharpens, and the threat is clear. “Or they die. Both of them. You think I’m playing around with you? This isthe cost of your little stunt. You’ve poked the hornet’s nest, Rory. And now, you’ll pay the price.”

Silence stretches between us. I can’t breathe. I can’t think.

Hand over my empire. Surrender everything I’ve built, everything I’ve bled for. The thought alone sends a sharp stab of panic through me. My businesses, my control, my power—it’s who I am. It’s what I know. Without it, what the hell am I?

Without that, I’m nothing. I took over what our father built and grew it even bigger. I expanded our reach. I’ve put my blood, sweat, tears, heart, and soul into my business. It’s always come first.

I can’t give that up.