That I don’t trust anyone else to keep her alive.
That the idea of another man touching her—interrogating her—breaking her—makes something feral rise in me.
That this stopped being just strategy the moment she looked at me like she’d rather die than kneel.
I straighten.
“What I’m hiding,” I say coldly, “is irrelevant.”
Roman and Dimitri exchange a glance. The kind that doesn’t need words.
Lev doesn’t look away from me. “Tell me something, Konstantin,” he says calmly. “Is this woman a mission?”
I say nothing.
“Or,” Lev continues, voice still even, “has she become something far more dangerous to you?”
My jaw tightens.
I don’t answer.
The silence stretches—heavy, loaded.
It’s answer enough.
Dimitri exhales through his nose, rubbing a hand over his face. “If we’ve heard about your plan to marry her,” he says, “then her father’s enemies have too.”
Roman nods once. “Which means delay is a liability.”
Dimitri’s gaze locks on mine. “You have to make it immediate. And private. No external visibility. No interference.”
I don’t hesitate. “Fine.”
Three pairs of eyes lift.
“The ceremony takes place tonight,” I say flatly. “Inside the mansion.”
Lev studies me for a beat longer. “You’ll need a witness outside us. For propriety.”
I shrug, already turning toward the door. “Agreed.”
“Nik.”
The door opens instantly. Nik steps inside, posture rigid, eyes alert.
“Arrange for Ellie Carver,” I say. “Raelyn Hart’s friend. Bring her in safely and discreetly. No alarms. No delays.”
Nik inclines his head. “Understood.”
“I’m marrying Raelyn this evening,” I add. “She will serve as the single neutral presence.”
There is no flicker of surprise on Nik’s face. No curiosity. Just acknowledgment.
“Yes, sir.”
He exits as efficiently as he entered.
I turn back to my brothers, my gaze pointed. “So what now?”