Chapter 565
Chapter 565:
“It’s his escape hatch,” Skye realized. “The estate has a private deep-water dock. He plans to marry Victoria, transfer the funds, and sail away on a diplomatic vessel before the State Department can revoke the treaty p>
“Then we have to stop him inside the gates,” Liam said. “Before he gets on that boat p>
“I go in,” Skye said, turning around. “I walk the red carpet. I distract him p>
“Too dangerous,” Liam said immediately. “Lucian is a cornered rat. If he thinks he’s losing, he’ll use you as a hostage p>
“Agreed,” Alistair nodded. “You’re walking into a den of vipers p>
“I’m the only one he wants to see,” Skye argued. “He wants to gloat. He wants to see me broken. If I don’t show up, he’ll get suspicious. He might cancel the event or launch the boat early p>
“She’s right,” Julian sighed. “His ego is his weakness p>
“Fine,” Alistair said, his jaw tight. “But you’re not going alone. I’ll be there. Undercover p>
“No,” Skye said. “You’re too recognizable. Lucian knows your face. He knows we’re together p>
“I’m going,” Liam said.
Skye looked at him. “Liam p>
“I’m not invited,” Liam admitted, tossing a fake ID onto the table. “But Thomas Reade, cater-waiter extraordinaire, is on the shift list. Parker hacked the staffing agency database an hour ago p>
“He expects a broken man,” Skye said.
“Then I’ll play the part,” Liam said. “I’ll be in the shadows. Close enough to put a bullet in him if he twitches, but invisible enough that he won’t see me coming until it’s too late p>
Skye looked at the three men: Alistair, the strategist. Julian, the lawyer. Liam, the shield.
“What about Dominic?” Skye asked. “He’s been quiet p>
“Too quiet,” Alistair agreed. “My cousin is a cockroach. He survives. He’s probably trying to cut a side deal with Lucian p>
Skye’s phone vibrated.
Enjoy reading legally on be.com
New message. Sender: Unknown.
Message: Watch the chandelier.
Skye frowned. “Who sent this p>
She showed it to Alistair.
“A warning?” Alistair mused. “Or a threat p>
“It’s from Dominic,” Skye guessed. “He’s playing both sides. He wants us to win, but he wants to make sure he’s the one who tips the scale p>
“Or it’s a trap,” Liam said.
“We have to risk it,” Skye said.
She walked to the table and picked up a small velvet box. Inside was the Sterling Ruby—a necklace her mother had worn, the one Arthur had tried to sell.
“I’m wearing this,” she said.
“Red?” Alistair raised an eyebrow. “For a wedding p>
“Red for war,” Skye said. “Tomorrow night, we don’t just win. We end it p>
“Parker is set up in the van outside the estate perimeter,” Liam said. “I’ll be inside. Alistair, you handle the extraction team near the service gates p>
“Good,” Skye said. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow, we dance p>
The Graves Diplomatic Estate sat on a jagged cliff overlooking the ocean, a fortress of white stone and bulletproof glass. Flags of a foreign nation snapped in the wind, marking the boundary where U.S. law ended and Lucian’s sanctuary began.