What the hell is happening?!
“Understood.” The man who’d come closer—a mask covering his entire face apart from his eyes—lowered his gun and waved at his colleagues to do the same. “We’ve put down twenty-two guards. Are there more? Is there any danger you can foresee that might hinder your safety if we take you out of this room?”
Lucien shrugged. “No idea. Marcus is thorough but today happened quickly. He’s away until morning I believe, trying to get the upper hand again.”
“In that case, we should move immediately.” The man backed up, allowing another masked shadow to come forward. “Please put on the bulletproof vest.”
Lucien’s eyebrows arched as a black duffel bag was tossed at his feet. Dropping to his haunches, he unzipped it and pulled out a black knit sweater, along with a stiff-looking vest. Glancing at me over his shoulder, he quickly shrugged into the sweater—kindly hiding his distractingly gorgeous body—before snatching the vest and tossing it at me.
“Put it on,” he said flatly.
I fumbled with the weight of it, almost dropping my phone. “What?”
“Mr. Ashfall,” the man muttered. “It’syoursafety we need to prioritise. You need to wear—”
“Put it on, Rook.” He ignored the man and stepped toward me. Grabbing the huge, heavy thing, he slung it around my shoulders and yanked my arms through the sides like I was a stubborn child.
The men wisely didn’t say a word.
“But what if you get hurt?” I argued as he zipped me up and velcroed the sides so tight I could barely breathe.
“Doesn’t matter.” His heat scorched me as he stepped back and inspected me.
I probably looked horrendous with my rain-crinkled black dress and matching Kevlar, but the way he studied me sent a wave of fire directly between my legs. “Of course it matters—”
“No. It doesn’t,” he cut me off. “We both know I’m...unusual. I seem to heal faster than most, but you? You don’t.”
“How do you know I don’t?” My hackles rose a little. “I could be like you. I could—”
“You could.” His gaze locked onto mine, fierce and unblinking. “But I’m not willing to take that chance.”
My throat tightened.
Did he mean to sound so threatening or so scarily...romantic?
Because it was working.
“I can’t let you get hurt. You’re the only thing keeping me from burning alive.” His jaw flexed as his gaze locked onto my mouth. “Without you, I might not survive long enough to get my revenge so...you’re never leaving my sight, and if that means I have to strap you into a hundred ballistic vests and toss you into an armoured box to keep you safe, I’ll do it.”
Whisper huffed as if he agreed.
“If you’re ready?” The closest man checked his watch, the digits glowing red in the night. “The plane is waiting for us.”
“Plane?” I squeaked. “What plane? What about Dillon?”
“Your bodyguard is too late.” Fisting my hand, Lucien jerked me behind him. “Lead the way.”
“You don’t sound unhappy about this,” I snipped, my fingers tingling in his.
“I’m not.” He smiled smugly. “I did warn him he had a couple of hours to find you. He failed.” Ducking a little, he whispered into my ear. “And now, you’re all mine.”
Two men slipped around us, taking up position at our rear.
The two men in front turned to retrace their steps. “Please heed all our orders, and we’ll get you back to the mountains safely.”
My stomach twisted as Lucien jerked me into motion.
I had no say as I was dragged down the stairs and hurried into the chilly night. With Whisper flanking me and Lucien pulling me, I gingerly stepped over the bodies of either dead or unconscious Cinderkeep guards.
