Page 122 of Monstrous Urges

“Taylor?”

She startles, smiling in that way I’ve gotten so fond of when I say her name.

Taylor.

“Here.”

I hand her a little velvet box, watching her brows knit.

“What’s this?”

I lift a shoulder. “Just a little something sparkly for the evening. Not that you need it. But Vadik is the sort of man who’s easily distracted by…” My eyes drag up to hers. “Just open it.”

She does, and her eyes widen.

“Drazen…”

She pulls out the diamond-studded silver bracelet with the large six-carat diamond centerpiece fitted to the band. Her eyes fly to mine.

“I can’t wear this.”

“You can, and you will.”

“This must’ve cost a fortune?—”

“There have to be some benefits to being forced to marry an international crime lord, right?”

Her lips twist into a smirk and her cheeks flush as her big blue eyes lock with mine.

“Some,” she shrugs, grinning.

I fasten it around her wrist just as our car pulls up to the gates of Vadik’s summer house with our entourage behind us. His men wave us all through, and we drive to the massive stone steps leading to the double doors of his estate.

I pull my gaze away from Taylor and look at the lavish home, manicured grounds, and garage full of priceless sports cars I know Vadik is fond of collecting.

I smile to myself.

I’ll enjoy slicing Vadik’s eyelids off and making him watch as I burn this entire estate to the ground one day soon.

Vadik greets us at the front doors, all affable, glad-handing host as he welcomes us into his home.

“Please! Come in!” the fucker chuckles as we step inside.

Yes, the Werner Group mercenaries I killed the other night when they were chasing Taylor were almost certainly hired by Vadik. But I’m not sitting at the Iron Table yet. If I accuse him of that without concrete proof, he’ll be able to twist it against me. In fact, by the very laws of the Table, Vadik would be able to initiate a majority vote for all the families to declare me a persona non grata. Even to declare war on me.

I loathe the idea of bringing Taylor into this house, or anywhere near this asshole. But I need that proof. I need something to connect him to the mercenaries.

It’s not like I expect to find something sitting out on the dining table. But Milos picked some of his best guys to accompany us tonight. A few of them are cyber security experts, too.

“It’s so good of you to accept my invitation, Drazen,” Vadik smiles at me. “With you almost sure to be voted onto the Table soon, I thought we could take this time to become better acquainted. To become friends.”

I smile back at the snake. “Of course, Vadik. And thank you for your generous invitation.”

He grins before clearing his throat and nodding at my men as they follow us up the stairs into the house. “I’m afraid I can’t allow your men to enter my home armed, though.”

No shit. That’s why I had them arrive armed to the teeth. Distract him with one weapon, so he doesn’t see the other one.

“Of course,” I smile before turning to my men and nodding. They know the drill, and they allow Vadik’s men to take their rifles and sidearms, stowing them in a locked gun case.