Page 8 of Forever My Saint
That’s where Alek’s speech ends.
Pavel turns slowly. “Do you really think I would hand him over to another monster?”
Alek is taken aback as it appears Pavel has thought this out.
“There is no way I will allow that to happen. This ends now.”
“And how do you intend on doing that? Astra isn’t stupid. If you come to the table empty-handed, you’ll all pay.”
“Who said anything about going empty-handed?” Pavel challenges. “Thanks to the fact you kept me hidden in the shadows, no one knows who I am. I could be anyone, and I plan to be.”
Zoey gazes at Pavel with nothing but respect while my mouth parts in understanding.
“I go in, pretending to be the supplier. It’s all I need. I just need clearance to get into that house. Once I’m in, I’ll take care of the rest.”
A small bubble of hope simmers inside me because this might work. Breaking into Oscar’s home will result in our deaths, but to be invited—that’ll give us a fighting chance.
“Willow, I need you to understand that once you’re in, Oscar won’t let you leave. He will ensure you pay for what you’ve done.”
“I understand,” I say with conviction. “But it’s a risk I’m more than willing to take.”
“No, absolutely not!” Alek exclaims, his cheeks turning a blistering red. “I will not allow it.”
“Allow it?” I question, shaking my head at his audacity. “This decision is mine to make. Not yours.”
“This is suicide!” he presses, tousling his hair further as he runs his fingers through it.
I still don’t understand why he’s so concerned for my well-being. I thought he would be grateful this plan doesn’t involve him, but when Zoey’s lips twist into a smirk, I know how wrong I am.
“Don’t worry, sweetie. If this doesn’t work, then we will use plan B.”
Alek’s fight soon dies. “Plan B?”
She nods, pursing her ruby lips. “We give you to them, which is what I voted for.”
This plan seems far easier than the deception as so many things can go wrong, but Alek won’t go willingly. He would betray us all to save his ass because let’s not forget that Astra and Oscar were once his friends. I have no doubt he could win them over again.
So for now, this will have to do.
“I know it’s not foolproof, but it’s the best option we have.”
Alek scoffs at Pavel, folding his arms across his chest.
“It’ll work,” I assure Pavel, ignoring Alek. “I’ll make sure that it does.”
And I will.
Pavel is right; because of what happened to Alek’s home, sneaking in would be nearly impossible. Being invited in is the best way to infiltrate his empire and attack it from the inside—Trojan Horse style.
“Oscar won’t make it easy for you. You may need to do things you aren’t comfortable doing.”
It appears Pavel knows what a sick bastard Oscar is.
Standing tall, I never falter when I reply, “It can’t be any worse than being sold by my husband to a Russian drug lord.”
Pavel nods, my point being read loud and clear by all. Alek, however, averts his gaze, appearing wounded by my comment. A twinge of regret overcomes me because I did say it with intent to hurt him. But I must never forget that heisthe bad guy and the reason I am here. No matter the circumstances now.
“When do we do this?” We are wasting precious time.