“Your island. Is it guarded?”
“Yes,” I answer on her behalf. I tell them everything I’ve learned about the security.
“We’ll need our own men for an attack,” Demitri voices.
“Get on it,” Alexei orders him.
While Demitri starts making calls, Alexei pins Winter with a brutal look. “My condolences.”
She only nods slightly, her jaw tightening.
God, this woman is something else.
Is she even human?
Then again, I’d probably react the same to Demitri dying. First revenge, then I’ll grieve.
“Tell me about the diamond business,” Alexei orders.
Winter shakes her head, and then it looks like she realizes something bad as her lips part. “I… I know nothing. My brother was going to take over. Cillian… Cillian…” her voice grows hoarse as it fades.
The news makes Alexei’s lips curve, then he murmurs, “I’ll help for a price.”
“How much?” Winter asks, her eyes settling on him again.
“I’ll let you know.”
I can see Alexei’s mind working behind his dark eyes. His gaze snaps to me, and then his smile grows. “Not bad for your first contract. I’m proud.”
I only nod, then turn my attention back to Winter. My eyes scan over her, and seeing her bloody hands, I unfasten her seat belt and pull her up. I lead her to the restroom and opening the faucets, I hold her hands beneath the water, washing off Cillian’s blood.
Standing close to each other quickly fills the air with an intimate feeling, and I glance at her face. Winter’s eyes meet mine for a second before lowering to the basin.
For the first time since I’ve met her, she looks vulnerable. Up until now, I wasn’t allowed to feel anything for Winter. But for twelve months at least, she’s mine.
Having her so close to me, the anticipation begins to wake my body and heart. After I pat her hands dry with towels, I pull her to my chest and wrap my arms around her.
She stands frozen, and it has me murmuring, “I’m sorry for your losses.”
“I want them all dead,” she whispers, lifting her hands to my sides. I feel her grip hold of my shirt, and then she rests her cheek against my chest.
Winter… vulnerable and totally dependant on me.
This is what I craved. To have her at my mercy. I just didn’t want it to happen this way.
I pull a little back, and placing a finger beneath her chin, I nudge her face up until her eyes focus on mine.
“We’ll kill them all,” I promise. “By the time we’re done, you’ll truly be the Blood Princess.”
My Blood Princess.
Fire sparks in her eyes, and determination settles hard on her face. “No. I’ll be the Blood Queen.”
God, still so fierce.
It makes everything I felt for her at the academy return with a force. I’d love nothing more than to claim her mouth and taste the fierceness on her tongue but now’s not the time.
I’m going to claim the payment she owes me once we’re on the island. She will warm my bed during the nights, and in return, I’ll kill her enemies.
I will own her body, her broken heart, her unwavering spirit.
I’ll help her take her rightful place in her family’s business while satisfying my craving for her.
Chapter 15
WINTER
Stepping off the plane, the ground feels foreign beneath my feet. A month ago, this was home. Everything was familiar.
Now it’s a reminder of what I’ve lost.
I keep my head held high as I walk to the mansion. The front door opens, and Dana, the housekeeper, begins to smile until she sees the three men behind me. Her eyes dart back to mine, and I see the questions form on her face.
I stop in front of her and shake my head. “It’s just me. They’re dead.”
Dana’s lips part with shock, and unable to care about her feelings, I start to walk toward the stairs. I climb them with heavy feet, and only once I turn down the hallway, and I’m out of sight, do I stop again.
The devastation of the past twenty-four hours pulverizes my heart into a bloody mess in my chest.
My feet begin to move, and I find myself opening Dad’s bedroom door. My eyes scan over his belongings, and it increases the incessant ache in my chest.
He was mostly gone on business throughout my life, but the time we did spend together was priceless.
I take the key out of the lock, and pulling the door shut, I lock it. I walk to Sean’s room, and this time I step inside.
God, I can still smell him.
I pick up the shirt lying next to the laundry basket and stare at it.
I’m so sorry, Sean.
My chin begins to quiver as tears blur my sight. Before they can fall, I set the shirt down and walk out of the room. I lock the door, not wanting anyone in their personal space.
Glancing to my left, my blurry sight focuses on Cillian’s door.