Page 4 of High Reward

“So, we have two immediate threats,” Luke says. “Hunter Novak gave us a one-week deadline to neutralize Draven, and a potentially unhinged widow with resources who may be stalking Grace. Priorities?”

“Both,” I answer immediately. “We split the work. Matteo, I want you on Draven. You have the best connections to get inside information on his operations, his schedule, his weaknesses.”

Matteo nods once, sharp, and decisive. He’s usually in charge of these meetings, so I appreciate him letting me take the lead today. Not that he could have stopped me.

“Luke, Tobias, I need you on the club. Keep it running, keep our cover intact. We can’t afford to look like we’re circling the wagons. Business as usual.”

“And Kara Lindon?” Tobias asks.

“Owen and I will handle that,” I say. “We need surveillance on her, need to know if she’s already in Vegas, if she’s made contact with Grace without us knowing.”

“And Grace?” Owen asks. “Do we tell her?”

I hesitate, running a hand through my hair. “Not yet. Not about Sampson. We wait until we know more about what Kara’sdoing. She’s got enough to worry about with Lili’s situation and her classes starting.”

Matteo frowns. “She deserves to know if she’s in danger.”

“I’ll increase security around her without explaining why,” I counter. “If we tell her about Sampson’s suicide note, she’ll blame herself. I won’t put that on her shoulders until we have to.”

The room falls silent. I can feel them weighing my decision, judging whether it’s protection or control. Maybe it’s both.

“One week to neutralize a man like Draven isn’t much time,” Luke finally says. “We’ll need every resource we have. And if we fail, we need contingency plans for the club, for our assets, for the women.”

“We won’t fail,” I say, with more confidence than I feel. “Hunter thinks I’m isolated, thinks threatening me separately will fracture us. He’s wrong.”

“Damn right he is,” Matteo growls.

Owen holds up a hand. “Let’s not forget that Hunter has been good to us. Any one of us would be making the same threats if it were our partner lying on an operating table. He may be trying to fracture us, but I think he’ll come to his senses eventually. As long as Trinity doesn’t die.” He sounds more hopeful than any of the rest of us feel, but Owen has the best working relationship with Hunter, so it makes sense.

“I called my father tonight,” I continue. “To see what the Serrano cartel can offer.”

Owen raises an eyebrow. “Thought you’d left that life behind.”

“I did. But I’ll crawl back to the devil himself if it keeps Grace and Lili safe.” I look around the table. “Any other suggestions?”

Chapter 2

Grace

Ireachacrossthebed for Victor, finding nothing but cool sheets and emptiness. My eyes fly open, heart immediately racing. The bedroom is bathed in morning light, the space beside me vacant, no indentation where his body should be. No sign he ever came to bed.

Panic flutters in my chest like a trapped bird. After yesterday, after Trinity getting shot, after everything, waking alone feels wrong. Dangerous.

I sit up, sheets pooling around my waist. “Victor?” My voice sounds small in the large bedroom.

No answer.

I strain to listen, catching the faint sounds of movement somewhere in the house. Relief washes through me. Not alone then. Victor could be in his office or the kitchen.

The bedroom door opens, and Lili appears. She’s already dressed in black yoga pants that hug her curves and a loose tank top that slips off one shoulder. Her dark hair is pulled back in a messy bun, face fresh and clean without makeup. She looks effortlessly beautiful, the kind of beautiful that makes my stomach flip.

“Morning, lover,” she says, leaning against the door frame. “Sleep well?”

I nod, suddenly aware of my tangled hair and sleep-creased face. “Is Victor downstairs?”

Lili’s smile fades slightly. “He left early. Sent a text to your phone that said he had an emergency meeting and didn’t want to wake us. I looked only because I saw his name. We have got to get me a replacement phone.”

My heart sinks. “Oh.”