Page 84 of Royal Deception

I slide into the driver’s seat, my breaths still uneven as I grip the wheel. Clary’s scent lingers on my skin, something sweet and soft that doesn’t belong in the world I’m about to step back into.

The phone buzzes again. This time, I answer.

“What?”

“Ah, so you are alive.” Lucky’s voice is laced with amusement. “Figured you might still be frolicking in the woods.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Not in the mood, Lucky. What do you want?”

“Got a little surprise waiting for you. Our missing friend? The one who walked off with those documents?” A pause. “We found him.”

That gets my attention. I straighten, my grip on the wheel tightening. “Where?”

“Warehouse in the meatpacking district. He’s all cozy and tied up, waiting for you.” Another pause, then Lucky adds, “Bratva. Low level, but still. Thought you’d want the honors.”

I exhale slowly. “Yeah. I’ll be there in twenty.”

I hang up and start the car, the warmth in my chest from earlier quickly turning to something colder.

The warehouse is exactly as I remember—dim, cavernous, and reeking of blood and metal. A place meant for work, for things that never see the light of day.

Lucky’s waiting just inside, arms crossed, his usual easy smirk in place. “Took you long enough.”

I ignore him, my gaze already on the man hanging from the meat hook. Mid-thirties, dark hair matted with sweat, hisexpensive suit torn and stained. His face is a mess—split lip, bruised cheek, dried blood crusting near his temple.

Good.

Lucky gestures lazily. “Meet Lev Pochinok. He’s the hired thug working for Anatoly who stole from us. Lev, meet my brother. He’s been dying to talk to you.”

I step closer, watching Lev’s body tremble under my gaze. I take a slow breath, savoring the silence before I speak again. “You’ve been good at pretending so far. But the truth is a lot messier than your bullshit answers.”

I circle him slowly, like a wolf testing the weakness of its prey. Lev’s eyes track my movements, his muscles straining against the meat hook as his chest rises and falls in short bursts.

I can see it now—the fear. The realization that his bravado isn’t going to get him anywhere.

“Lucky,” I call over my shoulder, “you bring anything useful with you?”

Lucky smirks, tossing me a length of thick chain. I catch it with one hand, the cool metal heavy in my palm. “You might need it for this one,” he says, settling back against the crates to watch.

I step forward again, the chain now loosely draped over my shoulder. Lev’s eyes dart between the chain and me, and I see his pulse quicken.

“You’re wasting time,” I murmur, my voice low and commanding. “You’ve already had a taste of what I can do. But there’s so much more.”

I step behind him, my hands moving to adjust the chain, letting it slide over his skin just enough to tease, to remind him of the sting that’s coming.

“What do you want from me?” Lev finally spits out, his voice trembling.

I smile. “I’m glad you asked.”

The chain swings in my hand, and I bring it down with a sharp crack against his back. Lev lets out a yelp, his body jerking, but I don’t give him a chance to recover.

“You’re going to tell me exactly who sent you after those documents,” I growl, stepping closer to his ear. “If you don’t, I’m going to make sure you never forget this moment. Every breath you take will remind you of me.”

He swallows hard, the skin on his neck taut as I watch him struggle. The tension in the room builds, thick with unspoken words. The chain drops again, this time slapping across his ribs. The hit lands with precision, and I watch as Lev gasps in pain.

His resolve cracks. I can see it in his eyes. His body quivers under the pressure, and his voice breaks as he finally speaks.

“Anatoly sent me!” he shouts, his words coming out in a rush. “Volkov wanted intel. On your security firm. They planned to dismantle it from the inside out. Get to your weaknesses. All I had to do was deliver the documents.”