Lifting the back of my T-shirt, I tucked the gun inside the waistband of my jeans and lowered my shirt. My pulse pounded in my ears when voices echoed inside the house. I rushed out of Seth’s study and into the living room, trying to control my erratic breathing as I sat on the couch.
Benny and Joey appeared a few seconds later and so did Seth, dressed in one of his fancy suits, with his blond hair perfectly coifed. He seemed so calm, which was insane, considering his father was about to unleash Nikolai’s wrath.
Seth held out his hand to me. “Are you ready to go?”
I took his hand and he helped me up. “Are you?” I asked.
He leaned down and kissed me, his teeth nipping my bottom lip. “I’m ready to get you back here.”
“That’s not what I asked,” I said, my expression serious.
His golden-hazel eyes bore into mine. “I know. The meeting will be fine. I’m just worried about you.”
I could feel the gun against my back and a spark of adrenaline pulsed through me. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
Seth turned his attention to Benny and Joey, nodding toward the door that led into the garage. “Let’s go.”
We went into the garage and Benny and Joey got into Benny’s silver BMW while Seth and I hopped into his dark gray Bugatti. When we pulled out, Stefan and Drake were waiting for us in a black SUV, their lips set into tight lines and eyes covered with sunglasses. I was pretty good at reading people, and I got the feeling they were stone-cold killers. However, I watched them interact with Seth and could sense their loyalty and respect for him.
“This shouldn’t take long,” Seth said, pressing on the gas once we got on the highway.
“No worries.”
Unfortunately, it meant I had to work fast.
I was glad he couldn’t hear my thundering heart. I just hoped I had enough time to work out my game plan. I had no clue where my room would be compared to his parents’ penthouse suite, where I knew the meeting was taking place.
Seth reached for my hand and lifted it to his lips. “What do you want to do tonight?”
A chuckle escaped my throat, and I hoped he couldn’t hear the nervousness in it. “Let’s get through this afternoon, and then we can decide.”
After what I had planned, I didn’t know if I would be in jail—or dead.
We arrived at the hotel a few minutes later, and Seth and his guys surrounded me as we walked in. The man at the front desk rushed over to Seth and handed him something while leaning in close to speak. It would be so easy if Nikolai appeared, but I knew I wouldn’t be that lucky.
Once Seth was done talking to the man, we hopped on the elevator and rode it up to the floor second from top. The penthouses were sure to be at the top. At least, I only had one floor between me and Nikolai.
The elevator doors opened, and Seth clasped my hand as we walked down the hallway. “Call the front desk if you need anything. Stefan’s going to stand guard outside your room.”
I glanced over my shoulder at Stefan and contemplated how I would escape from him. The man was large, just like all of Seth’s other men. Well, except for Joey. He was a few inches shorter than me. If I had to bet, Joey was probably harder to take down than the others.
We arrived at my room and Seth slid the key card into the slot. The door unlocked and the guys stayed in the hall as we walked in. The hotel room was lavish and grand, with a king-sized bed draped with a thick white comforter that complemented the silky dark gray sheets. Two plush armchairs, upholstered in velvet the color of burgundy wine, were placed on either side of a coffee table while a large flat-screen TV took up a whole wall. The room was filled with the smell of fresh flowers from the vase that was placed on the corner table. Light streamed in through the tall windows, making the room feel inviting and comfortable.
“You have a nice hotel here, Seth,” I said, turning around to face him.
He pulled me into his arms, and I was so afraid his hand would brush against the gun, but it didn’t. “Thanks,” he murmured, kissing me slowly. “I’m glad you like it.” With a heavy sigh, he let me go and stared into my eyes. “Like I said earlier, this won’t take long.”
My stomach clenched with nerves. “Be careful, okay?”
“I will.”
He kissed me once more and headed for the door. The second he walked out, the clock started.
CHAPTER20
SETH
Nikolai had one of his guys stationed outside the penthouse when I showed up with Benny. I had no doubt there were more of them roaming around the hotel, just like I had Joey and Drake close by.
