“Hello to you too,” Grey answered. “We’ve lost the bride, but we still have Isabella Salvini. Both sisters will be transported out ASAP. Wait for instructions.” He ended the call, and I put my phone back into my pocket.
Good.
I was really done playing babysitter. Her recklessness infuriated me despite the small part of me that couldn’t help but respect her resourcefulness.
She’d used what little she had available to create an escape opportunity—it was exactly what I would’ve done in her situation. But her method had been beyond stupid, reckless, and was a testament to her lack of self-preservation skills.
That was what made her dangerous.
Fascinating but dangerous.
I pushed that thought aside. My job was to deliver her to wherever, then let Mr. Grey deal with her and her sister, whom he seemed so fixated on.
The sooner I got rid of her, the sooner I could return to setting my own plans in motion, and finally get out from the Paraskia’s thumb.
I drove us back toward the hunting lodge in silence while I worked through every contingency plan. The road was rough, each bump jarring her in her seat. I glanced at her occasionally, noting how she stared out the window. She was probably trying to memorize the route. Smart.
“Stop looking at me, and focus on the road,” she muttered without turning her head.
“Just making sure you’re not planning to throw yourself out of a moving car,” I replied.
She finally faced me, eyes narrowed. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get away from you.”
I couldn’t help the slight twitch of my lips. “I’ve noticed.”
As we approached the clearing, the small hunting lodge came into view—weathered and rundown, nestled among tall pines, isolated, and perfect for staying hidden.
I parked beside the structure, positioning the car to block her view of the tarp-covered helicopter.
But she noticed anyway.
“Nice tarp job,” she said as I helped her from the car, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Very subtle. Did they teach you in evil henchman school, or is that natural talent?”
I should have shut her down immediately—maintained the professional distance that had kept me alive all these years. But something about her quick wit broke through my usual reserve.
“I graduated top of my class,” I replied dryly. “The subtle art of effective interrogation technique, maximum impact with minimal blood loss, was my thesis project.”
Her eyes widened fractionally—surprise at my response—before she recovered. “Let me guess, you also minored in kidnapping and creepy cabin selection?”
“Actually, those were just electives.” I guided her toward the lodge, one hand firmly on her elbow.
A small, reluctant smile played at the corners of her mouth before she caught herself and replaced it with a scowl.
Inside, the lodge was basic—one main room with a stone fireplace, a small kitchenette, and a door leading to a bathroom with a surprisingly comfortable tub—even though getting enough heated water took a while. No electricity, no modern comforts, and most importantly,nothing that could trace it back to the Paraskia Syndicate.
I released her arm, locked the door, pocketed the key, lit a couple of gas lamps, then moved on to light the fire, keeping her in my peripheral vision. “Sit down. I need to check that head wound.”
“I’m fine,” she said, remaining stubbornly in place near the door while taking everything in.
I straightened, went into the kitchen to get the first aid kit, and moved toward her. Maybe I should tie her up, just in case she tried to make a run for it again. Even though she didn’t look like she would make it far. “That wasn’t a request.”
“Well, tough luck, since I don’t fucking care.” She lifted her chin defiantly.
I stepped closer and used my height advantage to crowd her space. I leaned in until my nose touched her hair and I could inhale her scent.
Her sharp intake of air was music to my ears. Not so cool now.
I shifted my weight until my lips were a hairsbreadth from her ear. “We can do this the easy way, or I can make you. Your choice, Bella.” I knew her family usually called her Mira, but somehow that name didn’t fit her at all.
