Chapter 4

He froze for a second.

"It's nothing." He recovered fast, crossing the room to take my hand. "Baby, tonight's risky. Could get messy. We can't leave together. You're in the second car, side route, lower profile. Safer that way. I'll take the Maybach on the main road."

He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it.

"Don't worry." He tilted my chin up to meet his eyes. "Tonight's locked down. I've got you."

I looked into his eyes. No guard up. Only concern.

He seemed so sincere. So worried about my safety.

But really he just wanted to ride with his mistress.

That's fine. He has no idea what I'm planning.

Second car. Side route. Signal dead zone.

Exactly what I need.

I settled into the second car.

Coastal highway. Night wind rushed through the half-open window, carrying salt and sea. The driver was family old guard. A piece I'd played carefully. He didn't look at me. Just drove.

I leaned back, watching the night blur past.

My phone buzzed.

Text from Nico: "Baby, where are you? You close?"

I stared at the screen. Finger hovering. Not moving.

Such an ordinary message. Just a husband waiting for his wife.

I didn't reply. Powered off the phone. Removed the SIM card. The tiny piece of plastic snapped clean between my fingers. I tossed both pieces out the window.

The car entered a tunnel, no lights. Darkness swallowed everything.

Signal dead zone.

The place I'd chosen.

Goodbye, Nico Volkov.

Goodbye, Leo, Mia.

Seconds later, the explosion ripped through the tunnel.

Irish crew's bombs detonated. Flames swallowed the vehicle whole.

Riley Volkov died in the car her husband put her in.

Nico's POV

Same moment. Hilton Hotel ballroom.

Nico stood center stage, spotlights hitting him from every angle. Suit perfect. Hair perfect. Everything perfect.

The seat beside him sat empty, reserved for his wife, positioned right where he could see it every time he glanced down.

His gaze swept the room, paused at the entrance.

Riley still wasn't here.

In the corner, Alessia sat fingering that ruby necklace, shooting him looks he didn't bother to return. She thought tonight was about her. She was wrong.

"Ladies and gentlemen." Nico's voice filled the ballroom, "Tonight, the Volkov family turns a page. We're not here to talk about what we've built—we're here to talk about where we're going."

Thunderous applause rolled through the room.

Nico continued, his face lighting up. "I need to thank someone tonight. She doesn't ask for the spotlight, never has. But she's the reason I'm standing here..."

Everyone knew who he meant. Heads turned, searching the crowd for Riley.

Only Alessia wore a smug smile, thinking he meant her.

His eyes weren't on Alessia. They were still on that empty seat.

"...She is my foundation. My harbor." Nico raised his glass, voice catching. "To the woman who—"

The ballroom doors slammed open.

The head of security stumbled in, nearly falling over his own feet.

The music cut off. The room fell dead silent.

Nico's face darkened. "What's going on?"

"Boss..." The security chief's voice cracked, "There's been an incident. The second car, Mrs. Volkov's car, it was ambushed in the coastal tunnel."

"The entire vehicle exploded on impact. No survivors."

Nico stared the man, and the blood drain from his face.

"What...did you just say?"