Page 114 of Ruthless Dream

A sense of foreboding pangs down my body.

I’ve never seen Wallen here before.

Henson keeps his voice low, clearly hoping no one overhears him.

“There will only be one opportunity.”

“You think I don’t fucking know that?” Wallen replies, his tone sharp.

“His daughters were just here.”

I pray that Marco’s kept out of sight. That they believe I left with Nat.

But more than anything, I wonder why the hell Henson is discussing me with Wallen.

“Adeline’s a sweet girl. For what it’s worth,” Henson says.

“Good thing she’s coming with us then.”

The fuck I am. What the hell is he talking about?

Henson pauses. “Taking her as collateral might not get you as far as you think.”

It sounds like Wallen slaps a hand on the other man’s shoulders. “I’m not paying you to think. You know the time frame. Be ready.”

“And his nephew? Is he going to be ready?”

“That’s not for you to question.”

“It is if he’s taking out Boris Akatov.”

I cover my mouth with my hand, my chest caving in.

“I have every right to question whether or not the boy’s got it in him to take out a fucking Russian.”

Wallen’s voice is deadly. “It’s not wise. Questioning Cormac’s son.”

If I looked down, I think I’d find my heart on the floor.

Cormac’s son. That can only mean one thing. They’re talking about Ciaran.

“This isn’t some soldier. It’s Boris Fucking Akatov.”

“Enough,” Wallen cuts Henson off. “Get me the plane or get⁠—”

His next words are drowned out. Footsteps echo, and something rolls, like something's being moved.

“Oh, sorry, boss,” a waiter says. Noises mix together.

Minutes tick by, and then it’s silent. The hallway has an eerily empty feeling to it.

Or maybe that’s just me.

More seconds pass by. I’m holding myself in a ball, perched on my heels. The need to hide among the coat rack is strong, but I can’t get caught here.

Because that’s exactly what they want.

Good thing she’s coming with us.