“Bebe, eat. I’ve put a call in for Valentine and Ronin. As soon as I hear, you’ll know.”
I pat my lap and she climbs up, resting her back against me. She sighs in relief, despite the tension leaking from her. Sitting back with her in my arms, I make her hold the container.
“Roshka,” I warn, pushing him away. He senses her emotions and knows she needs comfort, but my wife is mine. I already share her with too many.
Santiago sits opposite, and Kade is close by. Everyone is careful not to pressure her, but our concern is obvious.
“How long until we land?” she asks quietly.
As she finishes speaking, I take advantage of her mouth being open and make it hard for her to deny me, begging, even. “Please,maya.”
I will drop onto my knees and beg as loudly as I spoke at Victor's office if needs be. But she takes what I offer, then, together, we work through the whole bowl. After the last few bites I share with her, the timid smile I get screams of her resilience, but also her beautiful, golden heart.
She tucks herself under my chin, bringing her feet up and resting them on my thigh.
Santiago grabs his suit jacket and lays it over her lap. Kade is close enough, she would be getting his scent in the air. We’re drawing around her protectively while she tries to think of where Victor would be hiding.
He won’t be at her house in the mountains. We’re all aware of that fact. He has never gotten his hands dirty, and he’s not about to start now.
She’s reflective for a while, so long, I think she might have fallen asleep until she groans. “Oh my god, I’m so stupid. I know where he’s going.”
I barely hold back the roar threatening after hearing her talk so poorly about herself. And that’s not to say she doesn’t notice; she’s extra sensitive, picking up the smallest noises we make or shifts in our emotions. She undoes one of the buttons on my shirt, giving herself more room to push her hand against the place where the noise I make vibrates from my chest.
At her touch, it changes from anger to a purr in the space it takes her fingers to glide over my skin. One day, I will remind her of this, how she has the power to settle my soul in a touch. After we’ve destroyed her father.
“It’s another test. He’s giving me the choice of going for him or going to save my brother and Deena.”
“Where is he going, bebe?”
“My apartment.”
I don’t get it, but clearly Santiago understands. His frustration builds, making his usual scent sharp.
He squats in front of her, pulling her other hand into his. “There are no rules we wouldn’t break for you. And what are they going to do if we do break them? Come after us? They can get in fucking line.”
Kade clears his throat, and I feel her twisting to look at him. His eyes are narrowed, and he’s currently staring at Santiago, but as soon as he notices that she’s looking at him, his whole face changes. His emotions too.
Of course, Quinn notices, and she knows why. I’d like to know myself.
“Santiago never came to my apartment, Kade. The details he’s sharing come from his own investigation, not my sharing. I promise it wasn’t just you I didn’t allow to visit.”
And a small part of him relaxes, but no one is filling in the other huge fucking gaps. Not knowing what they’re talking about isn’t sitting well. Nalla gets up, sensing my souring mood.
Quinn is aware too. She digs one of her nails into my chest, and the tension that was building starts to deflate. “I have an apartment in a building that is supposed to be neutral. No business is allowed, no violence or killing within the property.”
“How fucking stupid is that,maya? You say the Russians are crazy! But that isyebanaty.”
Santiago laughs, shaking his head. “You would say it’s crazy, but Quinn’s apartment has been in business a long time because of the crazy security measures it offers and its reputation of being completely neutral.”
I look at him, wondering if he is the crazy one. “I don’t give a fuck, Santiago, who would abide by those rules? No killing is like telling babies not to shit!”
He ignores the rise in my anger, talking calmly like the polished, polite fucker he is. “Everyone agrees to the same rules. And the punishments are harsh if any of their rules are broken.”
“Ah… so people do break the rules there?” My irritation crescendos when he gives me what I’ve been after—proof that criminals don’t commit crimes while they live in a “safe” space is a fucking joke and a terrible idea. And it gives people like Victor an out. Exactly the same as religious nutters who live in sin but confess their evildoing, thinking it gives them absolution so they can keep being fucking awful people.
“No. They did. A long time ago, but no one has…”
Perhaps Santiago should have been a lawyer because he’s very good at talking the talk.
