I force myself to look away, and I see Ilya watching me, while Simeon is watching Alonzo distrustfully. Zakhar is helping search Alonzo and his men, but finally, he gives the all clear. “Into my office,” Ilya orders, gesturing to me to go ahead. I smirk at him. Does he really think I’m so stupid as to give him my back with the guns there?
I walk forward, give Hades a sharp command to guard my back, and keep walking. Let them realize that I just got back the best weapon I could ever have.
When we reach Ilya’s office, I move to the wall by the window, crouching to check on Hades. “Hey, boy,” I whisper, smiling happily as Hades licks my face, giving a low whine of happiness to be reunited with me. “I missed you too, baby.” I rub my hands all over his face and neck, ensuring that he’s not beenhurt. Satisfied, I finally look back around the room, seeing that everyone is back in, Oleg and Freya on guard at the doors.
No one is getting in or out of this room with those two. Well, other than Hades and myself, but for now I need to stay put.
Ilya has taken a seat behind his desk, while Simeon leans one hip against it, glaring at Alonzo and his men who are standing close to the sofas and conference table. Zakhar moves to position himself between myself and Hades and them. Is he protecting me or them? I give him a bland stare, and he returns it, but ruins it with a wink when I don’t look away.
I don’t bother to stop my eye roll this time. Him and Alessio would definitely be good friends. Which reminds me…
“Before we get started, we need to take care of something,” I say quickly, leaning down to unsnap Hades’s collar. I look at Zakhar. “Knife, please, Zakhar.”
I’ll give him credit, he must think he can handle me, because he doesn’t even hesitate. Simeon makes an incredulous sound. “Sure, yeah, just give the assassin a knife.”
“If she were going to kill us, she would have already.” Zakhar gives a careless shrug. “Besides, I’m hoping that she’ll show me how good she is with it later. I bet we could get up to some fun things together,krasotka.”
I quickly set to work on prying open the clasps on the collar until I finally find the small chip. I pull it out, momentarily marveling at how small it is, before putting it on the ground and stomping on it, crushing it beneath the heel of my boot.
“What the fuck was that?” Ilya demands, shooting to his feet.
“A tracking chip.”Fuck you, Tatiana. You want to see what they’re doing, you’re going to have to come here yourself and find out. Then I’m going to strangle you.“They’ll know they’re here now, and the longer it’s on, the more chance that someone else can pick up the signal.” Another lie, but somethingis cautioning me against revealing anything that could cause problems.
Ilya looks like he’s not sure if he should believe me or not, but he must decide against it because he slowly sits back down.
“Stay,” I order Hades before turning my gaze to Alonzo. “Your turn,” I tell him, walking forward. Zakhar doesn’t stop me, but he crowds my back. Alonzo’s fists clench at his side, anger making his jaw clench and tick. “Shoes off,” I order, looking at him pointedly. Some of the anger recedes, and he doesn’t argue. At least that’s something. I inspect the shoes, finally finding a tracker in the stitching between the back heel and the sole.
I’ll give Tatiana credit; she’s fucking good at hiding it. I never would have noticed it unless I was looking for the small cut in the leather. I stomp on the chips and hand Alonzo back his shoes. He takes them, but when he reaches for my hand, I pull it back and turn my back on him, walking back to Hades.
I’m not ready for that confrontation yet. Maybe not ever. A few days apart certainly gives you new perspective. Namely that when you’re facing an almost certain death, there’s no time for entanglements, and that is all Alonzo will be. I can’t allow him to distract me.
What’s done is done. He said what he said, he did what he did, and going back in time is impossible.
I just wish my body would get the memo. He still looks so damn good, and even now, my body heats at the memories that try to plague me.
I do not need this right now.
When I look at Simeon and Ilya, both of them are watching me distrustfully. I cross my arms and lean my shoulder against the wall, giving them a cool smile. What, do they think that I somehow told him to come here? They glance at Hades, who sits at my side, leaning into me, like he’s sure I’m going to leave him again.
Damn it, there’s the guilt again. I reach down to give him a quick ear scratch, purposely ignoring everyone’s gaze on me. Whatever they’re thinking, that’s their own problem.
“Jesus Christ, I never should have agreed to this shit,” Ilya finally gripes, his icy gaze moving around the room quickly before landing on Alonzo and his group. “Working with assassins and fucking Italians?” He spits out a curse in Russian that has me rolling my eyes. Zakhar snickers, while Simeon nods his agreement.
“You really think I’m happy to be here, either?” Alonzo tosses back. “The last thing I want to do is work with your asses when you’re the ones who put Rori in this position.” Then he levels Simeon with a dark, cold stare. “She won’t be marrying you. Whatever plan you have, that won’t be happening.”
“From what I hear, she won’t be marrying you either.” Simeon sneers. “Or wasn’t it you that?—”
“Enough,” I interrupt sharply. I shoot Simeon a look that promises a long and painful death, which he of course ignores. Asshole. Looks like nothing has changed. “We’re wasting time.” Steeling my expression, I look at Alonzo and demand, “What do you know?”
15
ALONZO
I don’t carethat she’s still pissed at me, all I care is that she’s alive. That she’s okay. As I stare at her, I feel like I can finally breathe. The knot in my chest is finally loosening. I don’t even care that Hades is with her and not me anymore; she’s his Mistress, and he belongs with her.
I want to be with her. I want to be the one holding her close, fixing all the problems between us. Instead, I’m being interrogated by a bunch of fucking Russians. Is this what my life is going to be like once Rori and I get through this rough patch?
Whatever, I’ll figure it out. Just as long as she’s back with me and not marrying the pretty boy glaring at me like he even has a chance. Rori will eat him alive; if she doesn’t, then Hades definitely will.
