Page 37 of Ruthless Dream

She has no fucking idea. I leave the car running when we arrive at the fundraiser. A guard is already by my side as I step out, ready to park it rather than leaving it for valet.

“Thanks,” I tell him.

I’ve known Marco all my life, and I shouldn’t be afraid of him, but I can’t help avoiding his eye after everything that happened with Jack. How I’d antagonized him in the weeks leading up to his attack.

I smooth the fabric of my dress, my hand freezing when I glance up. Ciaran’s eyes are hungry as he watches me, his jaw set as he stands there with his hands in his pockets. It’s his favorite nonchalant pose.

People laugh around us. Men shake hands. The event is to raise money for children’s cancer research, but it’s also an excuse for people to network. Which is a word I’m starting to hate.

I worked hard on my chignon, but the wind is doing everything to tear it down. I don’t make any effort to move inside, though. Where Ciaran and I will be around people. It’s not like the bistro last week. This place is packed.

“Who are you after?” I ask, swiping hair out of my eyes.

He looks down at me because even in heels he’s still a towering giant. “Mitchell and Morozov. I’d like to put more names to faces too.”

I only know the name Morozov. My sisters say I’m the nosy one, but Ciaran’s mission to meet more people reminds me of Yelena. One glance and she not only knew who Ciaran was despite his recent arrival to the city but could list off his family tree.

Ciaran reaches over, brushing my hair back. Most would think he’s a doting boyfriend, but his next words bring nothing but dread. “And your father. I’d like to meet him too.”

My spine stacks, but my face remains blank.

Dad called me the day after Ciaran and I got lunch. His name flashed on my phone, and my first thought was Yelena had ratted me out.

“My darling daughter,” he trilled. I could hear the hose in the background. He was outside, watering the garden. “How are you?”

It’s ten times worse when Dad acts casual. My family truly has no chill, so when Boris Akatov uses a nonchalant, friendly voice, I know I’m cooked.

“It’s not my fault,” I lied, heart hammering. Of course, it’s my fault. Of course Wallen gained valuable information out of me because I’m the stupid rich girl.

“When is the last time you saw Jack?” Dad asked.

“Um. . .” Knots in my shoulder began to burn.

“Friday,” Dad answered for me. “He took a call from Ferdinand. He hasn’t been seen since. Did you kill him, darling daughter?”

My heart leapt into my throat. “D-Dad!”

He chuckled only to be stern a second later. “You’ve railed against having guards around since you were a child. But Ads, I need you to understand how serious this is. The moment you noticed Jack had disappeared, you needed to call me. When is the last time you saw him?”

“Friday night.” For a second it was on the tip of my tongue—the truth. “Dad, I sort of was drinking.”

“Sort of?”

It was like when Dad caught me coming home from partying all night over the summer. There’s never any yelling. Just thinly veiled disappointment wrapped up in fatherly concern. Any time his daughters take risks, the first thing he tells us is he’s glad we’re safe.

But we’re not. Because of me.

“I went out drinking with some classmates,” I explained. “Jack followed me to the bar. I stumbled back to the dorms with my friend Billie. I didn’t realize until Saturday afternoon when I went out that no one was around.”

“And yet it’s Tuesday,” Dad said. “I know you don’t like having protection, but you should have called.”

“I noticed Marco,” I replied. He’d stayed in the shadows, but he’s been there since Sunday. Dad was testing me, and I’d failed, but at least he doesn’t know how bad it really is.

Ciaran is looking down at me, studying me as my thoughts absorb me. He has no idea the reason I easily snagged tickets to this event is because my father wants an opportunity to scold me. And worse—my mom will be right there beside him.

“You know I’m not sure,” I tell Ciaran, “that we’re at the meet-the-parents stage yet.”

He smirks but doesn’t look compelled to change his plans.