Page 155 of Stolen Empire

She sucks in a deep breath and says, "Tell Rolan I will do it. If I really am the tie that binds all of this together I can't just walk away."

Her eyes meet mine and I see the defiant streak she has that made me instantly obsessed with her.

"I'll be Ekaterina Morozova."

Relief floods through me, so strong it's almost painful.

I assumed she'd come around but there was always a part of me that held a space for her in case she refused.

I could never force her to do it.

It had to be her choice, and now it is.

And now I know why I can never let her walk away from me.

I love the way she challenges me.

The way she refuses to break.

I love her strength and her vulnerability.

I love the fire in her eyes when she's angry and the softness in her voice when she's scared.

I love her.

And I need to tell her.

"Katya—" I start, but my phone rings, cutting me off.

I curse under my breath, pulling it from my pocket.

Rolan's name flashes on the screen.

"I need to take this," I tell her.

She nods, moving back to the table. I move into the hallway, answering the call.

"What is it?" I ask.

"We have movement," Rolan says. “The Radiches are mobilizing. They're gathering at one of their warehouses on the south side. Looks like they're preparing for something big."

"How many men?"

"At least twenty. Maybe more. They're bringing in reinforcements from outside the city."

"What about Katya's family? Have they responded?"

"Yes. They want to meet her tomorrow night at their estate outside the city. And it couldn't come at a better time." Rolan sounds on edge, and I understand why.

This could go nuclear in just a short time.

We can't sit back twiddling our thumbs while our biggest enemy prepares to strike.

I glance back toward the table where Katya sits, her head in her hands.

"She agreed to stand with us."

"Good." Rolan's voice is firm.