Kit is the only one quiet, his gaze narrowing as he glances around.
Georgiy’s hand tightens around mine as we step forward, assessing it all. There are poker tables, slot machines, and a long bar on either end of the room.
I can tell that Casey is scoping out security while Jax and Kit search for the exits.
Meanwhile, I’m just standing here, blinking wildly.
Why does this all feel so familiar? I’ve been in a hundred casinos, been in dozens of clubs, but nothing has made me feel faint like this.
What is it about this place?
“I’ve got you, umnyashka.”
I blink up at him and stare at his face, those gleaming eyes, those pink lips.
My reaper. Mine.
He’ll protect me.
And yet, it doesn’t dull the feeling of dread as we make our way past the guests and toward a security guard manning a closed door.
“I’m going to get Bane some water,” Georgiy interrupts. “He’s not feeling well.”
Kit moves toward me, his hand landing on my arm. “What is it? Is it another panic attack?”
I manage to shake my head. “I don’t know. Everything is fuzzy. Everything feels wrong. I can’t feel my hands.”
“Come,” Georgiy snaps, pulling me toward the bar. He gently guides me to an open stool and helps me perch on it, my head resting in my hands. When the bartender makes his way over to us, Georgiy barks that he needs a glass of water.
I think his tone only makes the guy move slower.
By the time the water is slid in front of me, I’m panting.
“What is it?” he asks, grabbing an ice cube from the glass and rubbing it across the back of my neck. The coolness brings my focus back for a moment, and my breathing evens out. “What do you need?”
His hand cups my chin, and he forces me to look at him.
“I want to go home,” I whisper, feeling my eyes swell with tears. “I don’t like it here.”
Georgiy nods, his fingers slipping from me.
“Drink the water first,” he tells me. “Then we’ll leave. I’ll tell Anthony to ready the plane. The others can stay and find the answers you need. We don’t have to be here. It was too much. We had no idea what we were walking into.”
I nod, pulling the glass toward me and sipping at the water.
“Let me try calling to get everything in place so we can leave.” He pulls out his cellphone, but frowns when he realizes it’s dead.
“Blyat! This phone.”
He looks at me but I shake my head. I didn’t bring a phone. I have nothing on me.
Georgiy squeezes my neck reassuringly and then leans down. “Can you stay here for just a second while I find the others to tell them what’s going on?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Go. The sooner we can leave the better.”
He looks unsure, but I know he’ll be close. Close enough to get to me if needed. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
I nod, still sipping at the water, some dribbling down my chin and hitting my warm neck.
