“I don’t know Kai. I get that he’s your brother, but you didn’t even discuss this with me.”
“There isn’t anyone else I trust more to keep you safe.”
I moved away from him, hugging myself as I stared hollowly out the window.
“I can just go back home, Derek. I don’t want to be an inconvenience to anyone. And I can’t just hide out here forever. Plus, my colleagues are working Belov and his men as we speak…”
Derek inched closer, trapping me against the glass, an arm on each side and a grave expression cutting across his face.
“You’re not leaving.”
I raised my chin in defiance. “I should be out there doing my job, not trapped in here with a damn babysitter.”
He huffed out a sharp breath. “What don’t you understand? You’re a walking target. You think I’m going to just let you be out and about without protection?”
“Letme?”
“You know what I mean. Why are you being so stubborn?”
Pushing his arm, I slipped from his grasp. “You don’t understand. And you’re leaving, anyway,” I bit back, aware I was acting childish.
He hooked my elbow as I made a move for the bathroom. “It’s only two days. And my brother—”
“I’m afraid, okay?” I blurted out, the sting of tears pricking at my eyes. “I hate feeling this way. It’s not who I am. But please, Derek… stay.” I held the collar of his shirt, feeling all kinds of pathetic, but I didn’t care.
Derek’s gaze was stormy, tormented like he was grappling with the decision. He reached for the back of my neck on the wingtips of a deep sigh and pulled me to him.
“I promise this is important. I wouldn’t leave if I didn’t trust Kai with my life.” He paused, the ice in his eyes piercing through me. “And that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
DEREK
The chill of the metal railing bled through my leather gloves. I leaned on my elbows, breath billowing into the frigid night air as I looked down over the city, still buzzing with life below.Most of Central Park was bathed in shadows, save for rows of lights outlining the winding walkways. The city view was magnificent from this altitude, and the urge to share such a beautiful and rare sense of peace with Evangelina was damn near overwhelming. One day, when things settled down, I’d bring her here…
Fuck you, Derek. What have you gone and done?
I’d set a trap, lured her, and ended up falling headfirst into my own scheme. Now, there I was, wanting to share experiences and moments in life I never thought meant anything. But with her by my side, life was different. Cliché as it goddamn was, everything had new meaning. I wouldn’t deny that.
She’s not meant to stay, a petulant voice in the back of my head whispered the sobering reminder. Our time together had an expiration date. She didn’t belong in my world.
“Mr. Cain,” a soft, feminine voice called from behind me.
She had a heavy accent, and when I turned, her full-figured frame rested against the door jamb. Golden curls framed her rounded face and delicate features. The woman was conventionally pretty, though much younger looking than I anticipated.
“Amalia Montesinos.”
Tipping her head with a nod, she pushed away from the door, green eyes cautiously watching my every move. “How was your trip?”
“How about we get right down to business?” My voice held a hard edge, and she faltered for a fraction of a second before regaining her composure.
I flexed my shoulders, gripping her by the neck and shoving her body against the railing—my gun against her temple.The stories I’d heard about Amalia seemed to contradict that of the woman in my grasp. Amalia didn’t hesitate. She was ruthless, fearless—and she didn’t fucking flinch.
“Who the fuck are you?”
Fingernails clawed at my hand, desperate for air. I squeezed an ounce tighter, and her face shifted to a bright red. “You have two seconds to tell me who you are before I blow your fucking brain all over Madison Blvd.”
“Tell me, Mr. Cain, how exactly would she be able to give you what you ask while you’re choking the breath from her at the same time?”
