Fallen Stars and Broken Dreams - C.C. Masters Page 0,123

were sad. “I don’t think you understand the cost of failure.”

“I do,” I whispered desperately. “But I’m trapped in an impossible situation.”

“I’ll do what I can,” Natalya said hesitantly. “But you don’t want to challenge these men.”

“Thank you,” I said with a breath of relief.

“Don’t thank me yet,” she said cryptically.

She wandered away, texting on her phone, and I tried not to stare after her. Whoever Natalya was, it was clear she didn’t have any real authority. She was beautiful and well-dressed, but she walked with a defeated slump of her shoulders. How had she gotten mixed up with the Bratva? Was she even here under her own free will?

Abby bounced out of the fitting rooms and toward me. “Never mind!” she said happily. “I found everything I needed.”

I took my two items up to the counter and set them alongside her giant pile.

“That’s it?” Abby asked with a raised brow.

I shrugged. “Yeah, I usually just wear athletic stuff anyway.”

Abby flagged over the saleswoman, and the woman’s eyes lit with glee when she saw the mountain of lingerie that Abby had piled on the counter. She must get paid with commission.

Abby chatted with the saleswoman as she scanned and bagged everything, but I was too distracted to pay attention to idle chatter.

Natalya brushed by me and pretended to admire the perfume bottles near the register. Once she realized Abby and the saleswoman weren’t paying attention, she caught my eye.

“September,” she said in a low voice.

Her eyes were full of warning, but I knew better than to ask any questions. I could already imagine all the threats that would come my way if I didn’t deliver what Sergei wanted. No one that I cared about would be safe.

Chapter 40

Katya

I lingered downstairs in the foyer. My bags were packed and loaded in the car, and Mr. Ferguson was waiting to drive me to Bedford Academy. All I needed to do was step outside and get into the car. I’d be free of this place for the next eight weeks.

“Kitty Kat!” Kingston’s voice called to me from the second floor. “Are you trying to leave without saying goodbye?”

Tension bled out of my shoulders. I’d spent the last ten minutes debating on whether I should seek the guys out or not. We weren’t enemies any longer, but I wasn’t sure we were friends either. We existed somewhere in that grey area.

Kingston bounded down the stairs with Maverik and Kash following more slowly afterward. Before I could object, Kingston wrapped me in a bear hug and lifted me off my feet.

“I should just stick you in my suitcase and bring you with us,” he mused before setting me back on my feet. He eyed me up and down. “You might fit.”

I smacked his arm. “Not going to happen.”

Kingston patted me on the top of the head. “Remember, you’re going to be a Wilder. I expect you to make a big splash, cause lots of shenanigans, and emerge as the Queen of Bedford by the time we get back.”

I rolled my eyes. “How about I just pass the stupid exams I have to take to be allowed to start junior year with you?”

Kingston chuckled. “We’ll let you slide for the summer, but your Wilder training is going to start up in earnest when we get back.”

My eyes flicked over to Maverik. He hadn’t said anything and was casually leaning against the banister of the stairs. His face was unreadable, but that just meant he didn’t want anyone to be able to guess his thoughts.

“If she survives the summer at Bedford,” Kash added with a smirk.

“Keep to yourself,” Maverik told me. “Don’t trust anyone there.”

I sighed. “I’m not taking classes with anyone,” I reminded him. “I have to work independently with tutors, and the rest of my time will be taken up with ballet.”

“Good,” Maverik said with a satisfied nod. “Don’t attend any parties, and don’t go out after dark.”

“Anything else?” I asked sarcastically.

“The campus is secure from any outsiders,” Maverik said pointedly. “The staff is constantly monitored and vetted for any connections we might need to be concerned about.”

Blood drained from my face. I’d crossed paths with Sergei’s contact a couple of days ago and begged for more time to find the map. Did Maverik know about the meeting? Was he aware I was working with Sergei?

My heart settled when I realized Maverik wouldn’t be this relaxed if he knew the truth. He told me previously that he suspected Nina had ties to the Bratva, so