“I’m confused. I thought you said the rumor was that Nathan was a bad guy and a likely murder suspect? It sounded like you believed it.”
“I do. We know Stone is up to something. I just couldn’t let the opportunity pass, but I never would’ve asked you if I’d known it’d end up like this. I shouldn’t have asked in the first place. I was desperate and it was stupid and reckless of me. And that was when it was mingling at a party and keeping your eyes and ears open. You’re in Stone’s sights now, and worse, in Romanov’s. A private dinner is too risky. No, Em.”
She shakes her head like her word is law. And usually, I’d bend to her will. Hell, I remember countless times I’ve done exactly as she said just because she told me to, whether it was climbing a tree, the dress I wore to my senior prom, or her advice for my first kiss.
But not this time.
“I’m doing this, Claire.” My voice is just as certain as hers.
Her eyes narrow at the challenge. “Why? What are you getting out of it?” Her jaw drops, and she stares at me in shock. “You like him! Holy shit, Emma! Don’t be blinded by his charm and good looks. He’s dangerous, and his money and power make him even more so. This isn’t some fairy tale with a happily ever after. It’s the fable with the lesson about staying away from the big bad wolf. Stay away from him or maybe you’ll be the next woman to end up dead.”
I rise from the couch, walking around my coffee table to stand in front of her. “That’s not fair. I’m not some stupid girl who thinks she can fix the bad boy, even if this one is more Italian suit than leather jacket. I get that he’s dangerous in a way I don’t remotely understand. But you asked me to do this because you think he should pay for what he’s done, and that’s still true. If I can help that happen, or at least get some information about what did happen to Anna, I’m going to do it. For you, and for her. Besides, just because he doesn’t know my real name doesn’t mean a man like him with unlimited resources can’t find out if he thinks I could be a threat.”
She clucks her tongue. “You could be right. But high and mighty words aside, you’re doing this for you. You might be an actress, able to fool audiences into believing you’re something you’re not, but I can read you. I’ve always been able to read you, and this has nothing to do with Anna or me.”
Her head shake isn’t one of disagreement but of disappointment this time, something I don’t know I’ve ever felt from her. We’ve always been on the same side, but this time, even though she recruited me to the game, we’re on opposing sidelines. Still, I think we’re still hoping for the same result, the truth about Nathan and about Anna.
She’s just hoping Nathan’s responsible while I’m hoping he’s not.
Downing the last of her coffee, she walks to the door, stopping before turning the handle to look back at me. “This isn’t over, and I don’t want you to go to this dinner. But if I can’t stop you, I still want you to tell me everything. Every. Thing. Understood?” Standing in the doorway, she sighs deeply, her voice haunted. “I hope you know what you’re doing. Don’t get yourself killed, Emma.”
The way she says it, like I’m halfway dead already, sends chills up my spine. And with that, she’s gone.
Chapter 9
Nathan
She’s a no-show.
I guess a small part of me expected it, even wanted her to fight this a little. I wanted her to show a bit of spine, a bit of bite, maybe a little sass I could punish her for in ways that would leave us both glad she’d fought me.
When I’d called the number I’d insisted on getting from her, I’d half expected it to be a fake or for her to ignore the call. But it’d been her sweet voice that answered, giving me a shade of hope that this would be easy. However, when I demanded her presence at dinner tonight, I was taken aback by her laughing refusal.
“Look, I agreed to dinner with you and Nikolai to save my life, not some private tete-a-tete with you. So,