Headlights bob in the distance, tires sloshing through mud puddles as Matthias’s convoy approaches. Jesus, I’m sweating like a nun cornered in a whorehouse. Liam tried to convince me to stay behind. He doesn’t like putting me in the line of fire, and neither do the twins, but I’m set on this.
It’s my plan, and I’m not going to let them get into the thick of it without me.
“What the hell is she doing here, Kavanaugh?” Matthias’s tone holds a deadly edge that sends a shiver of wanton desire up my spine.
I never thought I’d say this, but—I need to get laid.
“It’s her plan, and she wanted to come along,” Liam replies casually, without raising his voice. “She told you she wasn’t changing her mind at the meeting. Isn’t my fault you didn’t listen.”
“Fuck that,” Matthias hisses angrily. “She doesn’t have any defense training. She’ll get killed.”
Liam shrugs nonchalantly. “What would you have me do? Tie her up and put her in the trunk?”
“Yes,” Matthias growls. My biological father laughs.
“Okay, Dashkov.” He points a finger at me. “Have at it. Good luck, though. The twins made sure she was well prepared for tonight, and I doubt your wife will submit as easily now as sheonce did. By all means, go right ahead. Just don’t come crying to me when she hands you your bollocks.”
I struggle to keep my face impassive as Matthias scrutinizes me, his forehead creasing as he stares me down, eyes narrowed. Liam is bluffing. Mostly. The twins have been teaching me weapons and self-defense, and according to them, I’m a quick learner, but Matthias has something I don’t.
Time.
A reason to fight.
I’m no match for him. But Liam gets one thing right. There will be no going down without a fight. Because, well—fuck him.
“She gets killed; it’s on you.” My husband points a finger at my biological father, who only smirks at the subtle threat.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Russian,” Seamus drawls. “Kiernan and I have Ava duty. You really should give her some credit though. She’s more talented than you think.”
“I don’t need you to tell me about my wife, kid,” he sneers. “I’m well aware of her talents.”
Don’t blush. Don’t blush. Don’t blush.
Shit.
I feel the heat creeping up my neck at his words. I’m pretty sure the talents he’s referring to are not how well I’m doing with firearms.
Pretty sure, anyway.
“All my men are in position.” Liam breaks the tense silence that hangs in the air at Matthias’s last comment. “I’ve got men on the south entrance, and the rest are spread throughout the small port, disguised as security guards. Don’t shoot any of them, please. They can be identified by a red ring around their left upper arm.”
Matthias turns his hardened gaze to him and nods.
“My men are covering the north entrance, as well as the high ground.” He’s all business now. “I’ve got several container trucks ready to go as backup on the water if needed.”
“We’re still not sure if it’s human cargo or not,” I speak up, joining the small circle of men that begins to form near the two mob leaders. “We need to make sure we aren’t shooting into the containers until we know what’s being transported.”
Maksim, who comes up behind me, makes a disgruntled sound.
“I don’t like going in with an unknown.” His thick Russian accent startles some of Liam’s men. A few of them look up at the Russian giant with wide, fearful eyes. I can’t blame them. The man is massive and could snap half of the men here like twigs.
“Everything is solid,” Kiernan speaks up. “The only unknown is the cargo itself. We’ve got tabs on every guard, hobo, port official, and tiny dicked Italian in the place.”
Vas, who silently joins the group, snorts in amusement.
“No one here wants to be responsible for accidentally killing helpless women.” My pulse wobbles when Matthias’s gaze turns back to me. Warmth floods my stomach, a tingling sensation building between my legs at his intense stare. His stormy eyes hold mine, and I think I see a flicker of longing, but there’s no way to be sure. It’s gone faster than I can blink.
“Fine,” Maksim growls. “Clock is ticking.”
