Page 78 of Ash

Magdalena was carrying her tablet, as she always seemed to be whenever I saw her. She told Aunt Marta that she was researching Russia for a school project and wanted to ask some questions. Aunt Marta beamed at her, and they both settled down on the sofa to chat.

I noticed the way that Glowacki looked at the pair. The unguarded expression that crossed his face for a second told me that he found my aunt intriguing. My gaze sought Miki, and I saw that he had noted Glowacki’s interest, too. I wasn’t surprised as very little escaped Miki’s attention. Glowacki, however, seemed oddly oblivious to us as he crossed the room, sat on the other side of Magdalena, and joined their conversation.

I watched them closely. I wasn’t sure how to feel about Glowacki’s obvious interest, but I put it out of my mind when Daniel approached to go finalise some of the details for the evening ahead. I had more important things to think about than Glowacki’s attraction to my aunt.

A few minutes later, Daniel left, and I looked around for Gracie. She was still in conversation with Aunt Letitia, and as I walked towards her, I noticed Miki having a heated discussion with Sonia. I guessed by the way she kept glancing at Dariusz and glaring at him that Miki had finally told her about the arrangement, and she was definitely not keen.

Luckily, Dariusz himself seemed totally oblivious to the daggers she was shooting him. I doubted he would even understand the reason for them if he saw them. I didn’t think Glowacki had told him about his part in the impending marriage yet. I was hoping that when he found out, he would rebel too, and the arrangement would be called off. I would certainly back them both up with that.

As I headed over to Miki, Sonia turned and ran out the door, looking distraught. I felt bad for her, but unfortunately, there was no time to address this issue with Miki again. It would have to wait; we had bigger issues to deal with today.

Still, I couldn’t help taunting my brother.

“Dumb ass!” I said, shaking my head.

As expected, Miki practically froze me with his cold stare before crossing to Glowacki and tapping him on the shoulder.

It was time for us to leave.

I kissed Gracie goodbye. Then Miki, Glowacki, Daniel and I slipped out of the Estate. On our way to the C, Miki and Glowacki checked in with the guys we had hidden away while I confirmed that Sergei had everything arranged to cause mayhem for the police the following night.

Our elderly medic, Dr Rawlins, was already there when we arrived. He had set up a small makeshift hospital area ready to tend to any casualties if required.

All of our plans were set, and all that was left for us to do was to bide our time and wait for the following evening, our drug shipment to arrive, and the attacks to commence. Easier said than done! I had a feeling it was going to be a long night and an even longer day.

CHAPTER 35

GRACIE

THURSDAY NIGHT/FRIDAY - THE ESTATE ATTACK

When Ash left yesterday, I pretended he was just heading off on a short business trip and not to prepare for one part of this two-part war we were all about to be involved in.

He’d sent a good night text late in the evening, and it was all I could do not to call him and beg him to come home. I missed him and was worried about him, but I was determined not to be a distraction, so I refrained from calling him and just sent a quick good-night text back instead.

It hadn’t been easy, but I knew I needed to be strong and supportive and not act like the clingy, scared female I was.

So, I managed to keep my mind off things for the most part by writing more of my book. I’d been on a roll with that and was about three-quarters through, so I wrote until the early hours of the morning, and exhaustion set it.

However, today was the big day, and my nerves were through the roof. I tried to lose myself in writing again, but I just couldn’t concentrate.

I spent some of the day chatting with Sonia and Marta and the rest of the time wandering aimlessly around the house worrying about things.

The men had all been buzzing about and having hushed conversations in corners, obviously doing their best to prepare for whatever was to come while trying to pretend everything was fine. They seemed to think they needed to keep us women sheltered from the worry of the situation.

They were acting a bit over-protective, archaic even, and I didn’t like it. I would rather know what was going on because not knowing made me feel worse. Also, I didn’t like being treated as if I was incapable of dealing with this situation or helping out. It frustrated the hell out of me.

Eventually, I couldn’t take the not knowing any longer and went in search of Marko with a plate of food as a bribe for information.

He was muttering away to himself when I found him in his computer lab, which was in a separate wing of the house.

“Hey, everything alright?” I asked as I entered.

“Yeah, I’m just getting impatient, like everyone else, to get this show on the road. The sooner it starts, the sooner it will be over,” Marko replied, looking up.

“Great, food! I’m starving!” he exclaimed, his stomach growling in agreement as he reached for the plate.

Before he could grab it, I quickly moved it out of his reach.