Page 28 of Tragic Empire

We’re going to be sisters,she gushed, hugging me tight.

That excitement quickly turned to light stress when she realized we had less than twenty-four hours to pull a wedding together. She was a bit bummed when I told her that I had little interest in making any decisions regarding the final details, but I’ll try to make it up to her when it comes time to plan the ceremony she and Dmitri are yet to have. Not that she complained or made her disappointment known, because of course she didn’t. Jade has been nothing short of an angel to me this entire time.

A glistening bit of strawberry hovers inches from my lips when footsteps catch my ears. Letting my fork fall, I set it back on the corner of the bowl and look toward the sound.

Dressed in a white t-shirt, tactical jeans, black boots, and a leather jacket, Gerard Davies marches into the room. As our eyes meet, he comes to an abrupt stop and releases a heavy breath.

“Gerard,” I greet plainly. “You’re here.”

“You’re all right,” he says with a sigh, like he needed to hear the words aloud to believe them. “I wanted to see you as soon as I got here, but getting these men to trust me has been a task—even with Dustin’s word.”

“Dustin is here?” I swallow hard.

Dustin was probably Cole’s closest friend. And Cole didn’t have a lot of friends. It was one of the things we had in common. Slow to trust, surrounded by acquaintances, and picky about who we choose to let in.

“He is,” Gerard confirms. “He and his brother have been helping out. The mutual connection is how they knew to find me.”

“Oh.”That makes sense.“Okay.”

“Ana, I’m so?—”

“Sorry,” I cut in, frowning. “Yeah, everyone is.”

A tense silence follows my snappish response, but I don’t regret it. I don’t need to hear more apologies and condolences from people who aren’t to blame. They won’t change anything.

“Your mum’s body has arrived in New York,” he informs me with a sorrowful timbre, shifting the topic. “She’s with the Catholic church’s morgue for now. The Russians in the area make sure no one messes with the sanctity of the place, so she’ll be safe there. I know that she’d want to be in a house of God?—”

“Don’t,” I croak, interrupting him.

Jade looks between the pair of us and gives Gerard a tight smile that looks more threatening than friendly. “I’ll give you both a moment.”

I thank her with a single look, and she squeezes my shoulder before silently leaving the kitchen. Once she’s out of sight, I suddenly wish that I asked her to stay.

“I can’t hear about this right now, Gerard,” I whisper, trying to bury the painful thoughts of my mother before they sink in. “All I need to know is that it’s handled until we get back to the city.”

His sympathetic gaze makes my stomach twist. “It’s taken care of,” he assures me softly.

“Good.” Releasing a held breath, I rub my sweaty palms on my pants and steady myself. “Dmitri told me this morning that you wanted to review my marriage contract. Have you?”

“I have,” he confirms, sounding reluctant. “I vehemently objected to the consummation clause, until I was informed that you requested it.”

A warm blush reddens my cheeks. “Thank you for trying to defend my honor, but if I’m going to be married, it’s going to be legitimate.”

I don’t see Gerard as a father figure, but he’s old enough to be one, and I do not want to have this conversation with him. I know he’s only trying to do what Killian would want him to in this instance. The two men are close friends, and Killian trusts him absolutely. Still, I don’t need his approval, nor do I even want it. Dmitri looked out for me, and Gerard may not know or trust him, butIdo.

“If that’s what you want,” Gerard relents, not in the position to argue.

“Are you staying for the ceremony?”

He dips his head in a nod. “I’ll be here. The Kings will want as much reassurance as possible, and having me in photos will help. As far as anyone knows right now, Bron is in London, and Killian is unavailable. Your groom, his father, and I all agreed that it’s better to keep it quiet until we’re back in the city to handle the fallout.”

“Okay.”

“This Cassio bloke,” Gerard begins, brows knitting like he’s searching for the right words. “He seems to have good intentions. Though, he isn’t very warm and friendly, is he?”

I shrug. “He’s nice enough. I haven’t spoken to him recently, but he’s probably just wary of you.”

“I don’t bloody blame him,” he gruffs. “I’m wary too—of everyone and everything. This shouldn’t have happened.”