Damn it. But she doesn’t move away from me, so that’s a good sign, right?
“Now, I’m sure you were interrogating Alonzo, but he’s not going to be able to help you. The Chameleon sees an opportunity to use him to make this entire mess somehow work out, and he won’t know anything past what they want him to know. So instead of all this posturing and interrogation bullshit, how about we actually get to work on a plan so none of us end up in a basement getting scalped, eyes gouged out, and then limbs sawed off one by one until we finally die from blood loss and shock?”
I look down at her, horrified at the imagery filling my head. I’ve heard that the Bratva Butcher is a sadistic monster, but I haven’t heard of that level of depravity. And this is what she grew up around?
I’m shocked she’s turned out as normal as she has.
A quick flash of the look in her eyes, and how fast she took me down fills my head. Yeah, I think I should probably be grateful after all the shit that’s gone down between us she hasn’t just murdered me in my sleep. Or worse…
Neither Ilya or Zakhar look disgusted at her words, so they must be aware of those methods. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if they used a few of them too. “You are quickly wearing away any generosity or kindness I might possess, Rayea,” Ilya hisses out between gritted teeth.
My own teeth grind at the use of her birth name. It doesn’t suit her. Fuck, I hate it. I won’t ever call her that. She’s Aurora O’Brien. That’s the only name she should be called.
Rori shrugs. “And we both know that you need me, and you won’t do anything to me that might risk me being able to pull off this grand plan. Whatever your issues are with the Chameleon, unless it has something to do with what is about to happen, let it go. Deal with them later. We are running short on time. Where is Simeon?”
“He’s dealing with some of his men and the plane,” Zakhar tells her. “Searching it for bugs and trackers.”
“Wait, he doesn’t do that regularly now?” I demand. They stare at me. “And you really want to get involved with him? He’s an idiot.”
“An idiot that can be controlled,” Rori corrects me. Her gaze is directed at Ilya, daring him to disagree. He holds her stare, unyielding. “You already had it searched, but you sent him there to make sure he’s out of the way while you talk to Alonzo. Which means you have a plan to use Alonzo and don’t want Simeon potentially overhearing it and blurting it out to the wrong person.”
I narrow my eyes. What the fuck is he planning for me to do? Does he really think I’m going to play along with this bullshit?
The first opportunity I can get Rori the hell out of here, I am. I don’t care if I have to knock her out and burn this place to the ground to make it happen.
22
RORI
If Ilya thinkshe’s going to go around me to get whatever he’s planning done, or try to find another way to keep me under his thumb when this is over, he’s got another thing coming.
I’m equally pissed at Alonzo for allowing himself to be put in this situation. I’m not angry enough to think that he’d come to talk to Ilya on his own to try and get around me. That’s not Alonzo’s style. Still, Ilya’s playing him, trying to make things work to his advantage. I heard that line of questioning before I burst in here.
I wouldn’t put it past Tatiana to be listening in and set off a bomb to kill us all if Alonzo screws up and says too much. Seriously, the man needs to be gagged. He’s going to end up in pieces before the end of all this.
“She’s right,” Zakhar agrees, winking at me. “Beauty and brains are always going to be my weaknesses.”
I ignore him—and Alonzo’s low growl behind me—and keep my focus on Ilya. “I want to talk to you. Alone.”
“What the fuck? No!” Alonzo barks.
“You have no fucking say over anything I do, Alonzo. You threw any chance of that away, so you and Zakhar can leave.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“And I’m not about to leave my brother with an assassin,” Zakhar agrees, frowning at me.
“Both of you, leave,” Ilya orders. His tone brokers no argument.
“Over my fucking dead body.” Alonzo seethes.
“Alonzo, get out,” I snap. “You and me, we’ll go another round later, but right now, I have shit to figure out. Stand outside the door, I don’t care, but you and Zakhar are leaving.”
Zakhar opens his mouth to argue, but snaps it shut when Ilya pins him with a look. Zakhar gestures for Alonzo to follow him. I pin Alonzo with a scorching look, silently warning him to keep his mouth shut. I can practically hear his teeth grinding.
He starts to turn, then spins back, grips me by my upper arms, and yanks me up. I curse him, but then he plants his mouth hard on mine. The kiss is hard, brutal, and makes a point. My traitorous body reacts almost instantly, softening ever so slightly. Damn it.
Before I can yank my mouth away, he pulls back and murmurs, “I’ll kill him if he hurts you,orsetta. And don’t think you and I won’t be discussing you putting yourself in danger later.” Then he lets me go and stalks out, past a grinning Zakhar, who follows him out with a happy whistle.
