He pulled back, his cheek pressed to hers. “I love you, Ria.”
God, he didn’t fight fair. Her hands twisted in his shirt.
The sound of a throat clearing had them separating. Nik was looking at the ceiling and Dathan was smiling.
A sudden lurch had them all stumbling. Zayn grabbed her and together they clung to the upright grip poles. The transport moved into a steep climb.
“What the hell?” Zayn said.
Niklas was frowning and looking out the window. “Transport’s been hijacked. We’re heading off course. And up. Way up.”
“Shit.” Dathan pressed a hand against the window. “I smell assassin.”
“You should never have come after me.” She pressed her lips together.
Zayn yanked her closer. “One thing you need to learn about the Phoenix brothers, is once we see something we want, we go after it until we get it.”
She stiffened. “I’m not some treasure for you to hunt.”
He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “No, you’re the woman I’m in love with.”
She sagged. How was she supposed to fight against that?
Dathan was still staring out the window. “We’re headed for the top of the tallest building.”
Ria looked out and sure enough all she saw below was smog-filled air. One tower speared upward and the transport was nearing the landing pad on the roof.
The transport lumbered to a halt and the doors opened. All of them traded looks before they stepped off onto the landing pad.
A man in a black robe stood waiting for them. He lifted his head, and Ria’s heart sank.
“Xi,” she said.
The assassin gave her a regal nod. “Ria.”
His coal-black hair was tied at the back of his head and his eyes were the color of deep space. She knew just how deadly he was. He’d been the closest thing to a friend she’d had in the Guild.
“They sent you to kill me.”
“Yes.”
Her chest felt tight. “Let Zayn and his brothers go. They have nothing to do with this.”
Xi’s dark eyes remained emotionless. “You aren’t in a position to bargain.”
Zayn pushed forward. “We aren’t going anywhere. You try and kill her, you’re taking all of us on. Four against one. Not such an easy target.”
The smallest flicker of a smile on Xi’s harsh face. “Loyalty is an admirable trait.”
Behind him the shadows moved and more robed assassins stepped forward.
Ria closed her eyes. They would all die here. The thought of Zayn dying, because of her…she could barely breathe. She grabbed Zayn’s hand. “I love you. I’m sorry you got dragged into this mess.”
“Your loyalty is admirable as well, Ria.” Xi took a step forward. “Not only to Phoenix, but to all assassins.”
She frowned.What the hell was he talking about?
“We saw the news transmissions.” Xi’s face hardened. “We found the lab.”
