Probably some poor unsuspecting heiress that will strengthen his alliances even more. Pakhans don’t marry for love. I almost hope that he won’t make his niece suffer that same fate, but history isn’t kind to women born in criminal organizations.
“Alright, well, just think on what I said, and make sure you listen to the men watching over you. I know them, and you can trust them. If any of them give you any trouble, let me know and I’ll take care of it.”
She giggles. Switching back to English, she says, “So you’ll sic your dog on them? Maybe a bite in the ass instead of the balls this time?”
“But the balls are so much more fun,” I chuckle. I glance over at Ivano and Titus, neither of them moving, but I can see their faces paled a little.
The door suddenly flies open and I finally get to witness what I was wishing for. Ilya and Zakhar both storm into the room. Ivano and Titus put their guns to the sides of their head, and Hades is up, guarding Mila with a ferocious snarl. Mila jumps, but I remain calmly in place, grinning at the show.
“Put your fucking guns down. Now,” Ilya orders.
Neither Ivano or Titus move, looking to me. I nod, and that only infuriates Ilya more. Zakhar says nothing, but I can see him watching me distrustfully. I call Hades off, and he flopsback down with Mila, who coos and praises him. “I want a dog,” she announces happily to her father and uncle, like it’s another ordinary morning request. “I think we should get Freya a friend. Oh, and since I know you were listening in and already sending off those bug transcripts, you have nothing to worry about. Rori was just warning me about being careful and listening to my guards.” Then she pins them both with a hard, cold stare. “And we’ll be talking about you bugging my room as soon as we’re alone. If you thought I was a handful before, you’ve seen nothing yet.”
I can’t help it. I start laughing, and that’s how Alonzo finds me when he walks in, not even bothering to flinch when Ivano and Titus lift their guns to him too. I’ll give it to them, they’re dedicated.
His eyes soften when he looks at me. “What the hell is going on?”
I calmly get off the bed. “I’ll let them explain. I have another conversation to have. I’ll see you all at breakfast. Hades, come.”
“You are not leaving until you?—”
I cut Ilya off with a sharp, cold look. “Your niece is a very smart girl. Don’t insult her any further than you already have by finishing that sentence.” Then I stalk out, Hades at my side.
Alonzo follows me out, and I force myself to stop and look up at him just down the hall and out of earshot of the others. “I can’t talk to you yet, Alonzo,” I tell him.
I expect him to be upset about that, but he surprises me. “Alright.” Then he yanks me into him before I can stop him, hauls me up, and presses a hard kiss to my mouth.
Damn him. I sink into him instantly, kissing him back, before he pulls away and smiles down at me. “Good morning,orsetta. Next time, wake me up before you leave. I would have preferred that to a wake up instead of a cold, empty bed.”
“If you didn’t sleep like the dead, you’d have heard me. Now, put me down. I have shit to do.” He gives me one more kiss before releasing me.
I don’t bother to argue, or tell him that last night was the last. I was weak last night, soothed by pretty words and my own need to just resolve it all, but this morning is a new day.
So why can’t I stop myself from glancing back at him one more time as I walk toward my destination? Why does my heart still pound hard, and my gut fill with nervous butterflies when I see him watching me with a deep hunger on his face, and a soft look in his dark eyes?
I’m in so much trouble, and it has nothing to do with any of the danger that’s coming my way.
34
RORI
Simeon’s roomhas two men guarding it, and when they see me and Hades coming, they bark at me in Russian to stop where I am. That I’m not welcome. “And what would your boss say when you tell him that his fiancée can’t come to visit him?” I sneer back in Russian. Both of them lift their guns, pointing them at me, but it doesn’t slow my steps. They don’t have the guts to shoot me.
The unease, the slight tremble of their hands holding them. They’re more likely to hit nothing vital.
The door behind them flies open and Simeon stands in the doorway. “Put down your guns you idiots,” Simeon barks in English. “Are you fucking stupid? You know we need her or this entire plan is fucked.”
“She doesn’t look like she did yesterday. How do we know she is who she says she is?” one of them demands.
“Do you know any other assassins with a big fucking dog like that?” Simeon sneers. He slaps the man upside the back of his head, and the man flinches, but he lowers his gun. The otherone does the same, but I see the anger in their eyes. They don’t respect Simeon at all. They’re playing a roll.
I’d bet my left boob that both of these men work for Timur and report back to him on every move his son makes. Good. Let them report what I’m about to say to his son. He made a huge fucking mistake putting Simeon in charge of anything.
“Move,” I order both guards, and they step aside, giving Hades a wary look. Hades gives them a low growl of warning, and when the idiot who got slapped, brings his gun up again, I move fast. I disarm him, knocking him out cold in a quick move that has him falling to the floor with a loud thud. I have his gun to the other guard’s head before he can raise his. “Gun down, now. And if you dare to threaten my dog like your idiot friend, I’ll ensure the staff are cleaning your brains off the ceiling and walls.”
“For fuck’s sakes, put the gun down,” Simeon yells furiously. “Fuck, it’s too fucking early for this bullshit.” The guard lowers his gun to the floor and stands to full attention.
I pocket the idiot’s gun, along with the one I’m holding. “Let’s talk,” I tell Simeon. I send Hades in ahead of me, and get him searching. I’m taking no chances. I shut the door behind me, locking it, then I put my gun to the back of Simeon’s head the moment he turns to see what Hades is doing. He stiffens. “You never turn your back on an assassin, Simeon, that’s the first rule. And you definitely don’t answer your own fucking door. How are you still so damn naive after all this time?”
