She’d known Dmitry’s family too long. His uncles only dealt with situations they knew they could get away with. It was the reason they hadn’t been implicated in any wrongdoings yet. Having Dmitry even suggest using them to cause Wyn harm would guarantee they didn’t.
Killing Wyn would be a bad business decision. Simple as that.
She didn’t worry about getting Dmitry to fall for the ruse. She’d worked out several possible lead-ins to the conversation. With the anger he held for her, he’d take one.
Lying to Wyn was necessary. The thought didn’t ease her. She pressed a balled fist to her churning stomach. Besides, she didn’t technically lie. She just didn’t tell him everything.
Who was she kidding? If he ever found out, he’d… She snorted. He’d forgive her. Then why was she so upset? Her gaze strayed to the lingerie he’d bought. Wyn cared about her. Loved her. Iona snatched his gift from the box and held the small swatches of lace to her breast.
And she was in love with him.
You weren’t supposed to lie to the people you cared about. She knew that was the true reason for her nerves. Neither her mother nor Dmitry had been up front with her. They’d kept things hidden. She was turning around and doing the exact same thing to Wyn.
It was for his own good.
She held the determination close, picked up her phone, and dialed Avery.
“Hello?”
His thick voice carried over the line. A year older than Blaine, he’d filled the role of a big brother in Iona’s life. She trusted him implicitly. More than the man I’m sleeping with, apparently. She ignored her destructive conscience. “Is everything ready for tonight?”
“Yes. I arranged for an empty ballroom to be set up and wired separately from the feeds we’re collecting of the fund-raiser. I will personally man them and have my best two men waiting nearby to intervene if necessary.”
His calm tone and confidence settled her nerves. Avery had gotten into the security business in order to handle Blaine’s growing fandom. He knew what he was doing. Iona breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you. I worried about causing a scene.”
“You’re welcome. Once you arrive, I’ll want you to mingle, make sure people know you’re there, then engage Dmitry. Tell him you want to talk in private and lead him to the ballroom. Got it?”
“Yes, I got it.” She ended the call and prayed tonight would end her five-year mistake once and for all.
She had a future of tomorrows she wanted to share with Wyn.
* * *
Wyn paced the length of his living room. He’d given up on work after Iona left the garage. His attention span had been shot. Their encounter played over and over in his head. Something about it bothered him.
She’d known about the fund-raiser all week and had planned to go to New York without him. Why? Her explanation that she wanted to give Blaine her keys didn’t feel right, despite the logic of it.
He strode toward the window. A warm breeze stirred the curtains. He leaned against the window casing and let the beauty of his home calm him. He couldn’t think straight with the anxiety twisting his gut. A few deep breaths and his heart rate slowed.
With the scenery grounding him, he went over their conversation one more time and cursed. The keys. That was what had spurred his unease. She didn’t need to give Blaine her keys. Iona lived in a fully staffed mansion. Any of the workers could’ve packed up Dmitry’s belongings.
“She lied to me.”
He yanked out his cell and dialed. His call went to voice mail. He debated leaving a message but decided against it. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep his anger from darkening his words. If she’d felt the necessity to come up with an elaborate story to make sure he didn’t follow her, it meant she didn’t trust him completely. Accusing her would only solidify the doubt she harbored about him. It pissed him the fuck off. He also understood where her suspicions stemmed from—Dmitry.
Wyn ground his teeth. He wanted to get his hands around Dmitry’s neck. The bastard would pay for screwing with Iona’s heart. Wyn unclenched his fists and sent her a text asking her to call. He had a feeling she wouldn’t. She was up to something.
A chill ran down his spine. She was going to meet with Dmitry—that was the only explanation Wyn could come up with. He didn’t have a clue why, not after what she’d told him. The confusion didn’t change his certainty. He also couldn’t shake the feeling she’d made a horrible choice in not trusting him.
The promise he’d made to her the day he met her, that he’d be her knight riding to her rescue, came back to him. Crazy or not, the description felt right. He was meant to protect, love, and worship Iona. He couldn’t do that when she wasn’t with him. He didn’t care if Iona got angry, but he was following her to New York. No way in hell would he let her meet with Dmitry alone.
He dialed Ronnie. Before she could get a greeting out, he demanded, “Give me Blaine’s number.”
“Okay.” She rambled it off.
He wrote it on the back of his hand. “Thanks, Ronnie. I owe you.”
“Wait. Why do you need it?”
“Because your sister lied about why she went to New York. I’d bet money she’s going to meet Dmitry.”
“Why would she do that?”
“No clue, but I’m going to stop her. That bastard hurt her, Ronnie. Slammed her into a wall and threatened her. He’ll do it again. Guys like that are ticking time bombs.”
Ronnie groaned. “I knew there was more to the story.”
“Me too. I’m not letting him get within a hundred feet of her. I don’t know what she expects to accomplish, but I’m going to stop it.”
“Avery, Blaine’s brother, handles her security. He’ll know where she’s at if Blaine doesn’t answer your call. Do you want his number too?”
“Give it to me.” She did. He jotted it down. “Thanks, and do me a favor. Get my tux ready. I’m going to have to wear it a week early. Looks like I’m crashing a party tonight.”
Chapter 17
Iona scanned the packed ballroom, seeking out her best friend. There were plenty of blondes among the guests, but none with Blaine’s cool platnium color. Iona stepped farther into the room and zeroed in on a cluster of men near the patio doors. She made her way to them. It wouldn’t surprise her to find Blaine within a group of admirers.
Blaine always drew a crowd. She loved it too. The more attention men showered her with, the happier she was. Of course, no man had ever given her anything that another hadn’t already offered. As a woman who could buy whatever she wanted, nothing tempted her.
Iona sighed. After the weeks she’d spent with Wyn, she understood there was more to life than material things. Blaine, though? It was all she knew. All she’d ever known. Yes, Iona’s home had been cold, but Blaine’s house could’ve been a funeral parlor.
The circle of bodies parted, giving a glimpse of Blaine in the middle. Her long hair stood out starkly against her black dress. Without the living wall of men blocking her, it was easy to pick her out of the crowd.
“Excuse me.” Iona squeezed between two men who hovered closest to Blaine and snatched her hand. “We need to talk.”
Blaine flashed a beaming grin over her shoulder. “Thank you for the conversation, darlings.”
Iona shook her head and led Blaine away from the mingling guests. Iona wanted the details Blaine had left out of the text she’d sent her minutes ago. She’d said Dmitry hadn’t taken the bait and was likely a no-show. Iona wanted to know why. She refused to accept that she’d planned an elaborate charade and lied to Wyn for nothing.
At the far side of the ballroom, she planted her hands on her hips and glared at her friend. “What do you mean you’re not sure he’s coming?”
“Exactly that, sweetie. Dmitry didn’t seem to care that you’d be here with Wyn. In fact…” Blaine stepped closer and lowered her voice. “In fact, he’s making you out to be a fool.”
Iona straightened. “A fool?”
“Yes. It�
�s the latest gossip among our friends. My publicist just called to warn me about it. I have him running damage control.” Sympathy softened Blaine’s features. “Or trying to at least, but I’m not sure it’ll help. Apparently, Dmitry is telling everyone you’re pretending to be involved with someone to make him jealous. You showing up here without Wyn only supports his claim.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Iona pressed her palms to her temples, where a headache had been building all night. “He did it again. Turned this whole thing around and made me out to be the bad guy.” She dropped her hands. “He’s going to use this to try and get me to return to him. You know that, right? He’ll ruin my name. Call me unstable, like my mother, when he’s the one with the problem.”
Blaine nodded. “Yes, I know, and I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have suggested it.”
“No, you were right. I need evidence against him, and this would’ve been a perfect way to get it.” Iona sighed. “We’ll just have to try something different.”
“There’s still a chance he might show. Dmitry does like to make an entrance. Arriving late would do that.”
“Okay, I’ll—”
A ding from her phone stopped her words, announcing a new message. Normally she wouldn’t carry it with her during a dinner party, but she hadn’t wanted to take the chance on missing Dmitry’s call. Hope flared. Maybe he’d decided to show after all.
She unzipped the small wristlet and pulled out her cell. Wyn’s profile picture showed on it. Guilt stabbed her. She pressed the display to her chest.
“I’ve got to call Wyn. This is the second time he’s messaged me. I can’t ignore him.”
Blaine tilted her head and studied her through narrowed eyes. “Is this what it looks like?”
Iona patted her hair. She’d styled it in a loose bun. It was casual, messy, and sexy. It showed off her neck and the tiny lock-and-key tattoo at the base of her hairline. “What look?”
Blaine playfully swatted at Iona’s hand. “Stop it; you’re beautiful. I’m talking about love.”
“Love?”
“Yes. Love.” Blaine swept her arm out to encompass Iona’s body. “You practically started glowing the moment you mentioned Wyn’s name. You never acted that way around Dmitry.”
Iona turned her phone over, and Wyn’s tiny image greeted her. Her heart swelled. She met her friend’s eyes. Blaine was the last person on earth to give her advice on men. Hers mattered the most, though. She’d always scrunched her nose whenever Dmitry’s name came up in conversations. Iona had never given it much thought. She’d attributed Blaine’s attitude toward him to her dislike of relationships.
“I do love Wyn. I just don’t know if I can commit to him the way he’d like me to.” Iona tightened her grip on the phone. “Deep down I know he’s sincere in his love for me, but after the mistake I made with Dmitry, I’m afraid of trusting Wyn with my heart and my future. Do you understand? I wasted five years on Dmitry. I don’t want to waste another five on Wyn.”
Blaine shook her head. “You didn’t waste any time. It simply took you five years to realize the truth about him. Think of it as a growing experience.”
“A growing experience?” Iona snorted. “And is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“No. It’s merely the truth.” Blaine shrugged. “You learned from it, though. Right? It wasn’t a complete loss.”
“Yes. I figured out he was the wrong man for me, and it only took me half a decade to put the clues together. No biggie.” Iona rolled her eyes.
“But it also turned you into the woman you are today.”
Iona crossed her arms under her breasts. “You’re right. I’m now a woman who can’t even call the man she loves her boyfriend.”
“I’d argue that it’s made you into a woman who has finally figured out what she wants.” Blaine offered her a small smile. “And who. You always held yourself back from Dmitry. How many times did he ask you to move in?”
She could still remember Dmitry’s annoyance over her refusal. She’d always ended up apologizing and begging his forgiveness. What a fool she’d been. “A lot.”
“But Wyn asks you after being together for two weeks, and you—”
“I’m not living with him.” Iona raised her chin, daring Blaine to challenge her.
“Then what do you call it?”
“I’m just”—Iona glanced at Wyn’s profile picture, then met Blaine’s intent stare—“staying at his house while I’m visiting Ronnie.”
Blaine raised a brow. “You’re leaving right after the wedding, then?”
“No. I’m not sure when I’ll leave.” Iona met her friend’s gaze. “Or if I’ll ever return to Russia.”
Blaine nodded, as if she expected the answer. “And while you’re figuring it out, you’ll be staying at Wyn’s house.”
“I suppose.”
“Uh-huh. Well, you can call your living arrangements whatever you want, but it doesn’t change the fact that you agreed to it after two weeks. Doesn’t that tell you anything?” Blaine narrowed her eyes. “Because it tells me Wyn is the right man for you, and if it takes you another five years to accept that, I’d bet money he’ll still be here waiting for you.”
The memory of the night they’d made love in his bed came back to her. He would wait for her and love her every day unconditionally, whether she called him her boyfriend or not. “We have a connection that’s different from what I experienced with Dmitry.”
“How is it different?” Curiosity laced Blaine’s words.
“Wyn makes me feel loved, cherished, and respected. He’s there for me, Blaine.” She turned imploring eyes on her friend. “When I hold out my hand, I know he’ll take it.”
Blaine studied her a long moment more before she smiled. “I can’t say I understand, since I’ve never wanted a lover that way, but I’m happy for you.”
Iona pulled Blaine in for a quick hug. “Thank you.” She eased back. “I’ve got to call him and let him know I’m coming home early.”
She couldn’t wait to walk into his house and see him on the couch waiting for her. She missed his smile, his touch, the way he focused on her, and…well, everything. She simply missed him, and she hadn’t even been gone a day.
“Home, huh?”
Iona nodded. “Yes, home.”
Blaine sighed. “I guess I’ll have to travel to the States to see you, then. I do expect to have outings planned when I come to your little town.” A sparkle lit her eyes. “A visit to the country. I’m sure my publicist can put a spin on it. Maybe bring to light my concerns over the environment.”
“You never quit, do you?”
“Never.” Blaine laughed. “I haven’t invested my blood and tears into this career for nothing. It’s my life.”
“There’s more to life than money. You have enough to last ten lifetimes.”
“Sure there is. It’s called fame, and I like how it makes me feel.”
“You complain about it all the time.”
Blaine chuckled. “No, I complain about the nut jobs who think I love them because I smile in their direction, and the paparazzi who think pictures of me when I first wake up are what fans want to see.” She scrunched her nose. “And I can’t imagine why. I’m quite scary without my makeup.”
Iona wasn’t going to touch that subject. Blaine was beautiful, with or without her makeup. “Okay, planned trips, but you’re going to have to keep the visit as quiet as possible. You can share pictures and videos later. The people in Sander’s Valley won’t appreciate the press prowling the streets, and I’m not exposing Ronnie’s family to that mess.”
“If you insist.” Blaine waved her off. “Go, call your boyfriend. I’ll ask around and see if anyone knows about Dmitry.”
“Thanks.”
Iona stepped around Blaine and made her way to the patio. A few people lingered near the door. Iona headed to the far side. The sound of laughter and voices faded to murmurs. She dialed Wyn’s number.
/> “Where are you?” Wyn asked.
No hello or how are you. Not even her name.
He knew. Pain stabbed her heart. She swallowed hard. “In New York.”
“I know that. I also know why you’re there. I talked to Avery. I want to know where in the hotel you are.”
She gripped the railing. “You’re here?”
“Yeah, and I don’t want to wander around looking for you.”
She flinched at the bite to his words, but anger rose with her next breath. It was a ridiculous emotion since she planned to apologize, but she couldn’t help defending herself. If he only knew why she’d lied, he’d understand. “I told you I didn’t want you to come. You shouldn’t have—”
“You told me a bunch of lies. Do you know how it made me feel to rely on a stranger to fill me in on the threats my girlfriend is facing?”
“I’m not…” Mad as she was, she couldn’t deny what she was to him. “I’m perfectly safe.”
“Thanks to another man. It should be my job to protect you.”
“You don’t understand everything.”
“Really? Then explain it to me.”
She glanced at the couples talking at the other end of the patio. They probably wouldn’t hear her, but she couldn’t risk it. “Meet me in the Emerald Ballroom. Ninth floor.”
“That’s where you were supposed to meet Dmitry.”
She clenched her fists. “If you already know why I’m here, what’s left for me to explain?”
“I know the facts. I want the reasoning behind why you thought you had to protect me.”
The growl to the last word told her everything. She’d hurt his pride. She hadn’t meant to, but she’d rather make him angry than lose him. If she had to get down on her knees and beg for his forgiveness, she would, but not tonight, not after he snapped at her. “Fine. If you want the truth, I’ll give it to you, but be warned. You might not like it.”
Fix Me: Men of Sander’s Valley, book 2 Page 14