Chapter 19 Shade of Blood #2
“Thank you. You don’t know how much that means to me. I’m not sure I can live up to your metaphor, but I’ll try.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not a metaphor. It’s the truth. Walk in there with your new feathers spread like the beauty you are and kick some ass.”
I pull in a deep breath and nod.
His lips tip up into a small, sexy smile that makes me want to walk into The Greenhouse and do what he says and make him proud. I’ve never had anyone believe in me.
He kisses my forehead again—an act that I’m quickly becoming addicted to—before he lets go of me enough to claim the small of my back again. He leads me into the grand entrance of The Greenhouse where Devon stands behind the counter.
There’s no small talk and we don’t act like we know one another. Jett’s expression is back to controlled and stoic. “Reservation for Shaw.”
Devon lifts his chin and doesn’t let on he knows anything that’s about to happen. “Right this way. The rest of your party is already seated.”
Damn. Andrei is already here. Jett’s little pep talk did make us late.
Devon leads us through the maze that is The Greenhouse. Trees and greenery grow inside year-round and touch the glass ceiling like they’re begging to break through to touch the sky.
I’ve been in The Greenhouse often but never been a guest. I can’t afford it, even with my employee discount. I never thought the first time I’d dine here would be with the man who held me captive and stole precious years of my life.
Because of the inside forest, the five-star restaurant is surprisingly private. It’s like dining in the woods, but for tonight, we have the private room in the back corner with views of the lake and mountains. It’s small with one table. Perfect for any drama that could ensue.
When we walk through the heavy double doors to the private room, every muscle in my body tenses.
Jett senses it and wraps a hand possessively around my hip.
I’m not sure if it’s supportive or sending me his badass vibes that I need more than ever.
Devon slides out the chair for me directly across from Andrei. I set my clutch down on the table and take a seat. Jett claims the chair between Andrei and me as Devon snaps my cloth napkin before draping it across my lap and handing me the menu before doing the same for Jett.
Devon gives the table a dramatic nod that feels different when paired with his English accent. “Your waiter will be with you shortly. Enjoy your meal.”
He’s gone before we can thank him, not that manners are what’s on my mind at the moment. I can’t look away from Andrei who’s glaring daggers across the fine linens, votives, and low floral arrangement.
Andrei breaks the silence. “I’d say it’s good to see you again, pet, but under the circumstances, it’s not.”
Jett reaches for my hand, but he turns to Andrei. “If I hear you call her that one more time, you’re going to wish you hadn’t stepped foot on dry land. Got it?”
Andrei leans back and takes a sip of his vodka on the rocks—his drink of choice—sitting in front of him. He glances between Jett and me. “You’ve moved on with life quickly, Lennon. I treated you with such care while you lived with me. I’m disappointed to see you claimed a lover so quickly.”
Jett’s embrace is nothing compared to mine.
I might as well be white knuckling his fingers.
It’s all I can do to channel my inner peacock.
I certainly didn’t come here to chit-chat.
The sooner we can get this done, the better.
“Living with you is an unusual way to describe kidnapping. Some might describe it as a hostage situation.”
Andrei simply shrugs. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You could’ve left the boat anytime you wished.”
I knew this would happen. Hell, we all knew this would happen. We discussed it this morning in the meeting. Andrei is too smart to openly discuss anything illegal.
I give Jett’s hand a squeeze and let it go to sip my water.
My mouth feels like sandpaper from nerves.
“That’s interesting since I was locked in my room whenever we were at port.
I’m a decent swimmer, but diving into the middle of the Caribbean seemed like a bad idea.
I’ll continue to call it like it is—I was your hostage and a slave for six years.
The sooner we can agree to this, the sooner I’m willing to talk about the items that you want. ”
“Excuse me.” Devon arrives at our sides again. “We’re a bit short staffed this evening. I’ll be taking care of you. What can I start you with to drink?”
Before Jett or I have the chance to answer, Andrei speaks. “Lennon doesn’t drink.”
I wasn’t going to tonight, but I am now. Even if I take one sip, I’ll do it just to spite Andrei. I hike a brow and turn to Devon. “Cabernet, please.”
Jett never takes his gaze off Andrei, and I wonder if he’s about ready to pull his hidden weapon and end this for good. “I’m good with water.”
Another bow from Devon. “I’ll give you a chance to study the menu and be back with your wine.”
Andrei jostles the contents of his crystal lowball. “I don’t like this side of you—” He’s about to call me pet again but stops himself. “Lennon.”
I lean forward but don’t lower my tone. “Why? Because I’m not under your control any longer? Sorry, Andrei. I love this side of me. I’m embracing my new freedom with every ounce of my being.” I turn to Jett and give his forearm a squeeze. “Isn’t that right?”
We discussed our plan of action for tonight. I told him I thought the fastest way to poke the bear was to flaunt us.
Jett spears me a look reserved for lovers. “That’s right, baby. From now on, it’s you and me. And I’m not letting you go.”
“Your cabernet, ma’am.” Devon arrives at my side and places the stemmed glass full of wine that’s only a tad bit darker than my dress. “Do you have any questions about the menu? Would you care to hear the specials?”
“No,” Andrei bites. “Leave us.”
Another bow from Devon. “Of course. I’ll check back.”
I can’t think about the fact that my boss is going through this for me, but I’ll have to deal with that later.
“Rude as always. I see nothing’s changed, no matter how desperate you are.
” I lift my wine to take a sip. I’m finally channeling the confidence I had to dig deep for.
I set my wine down and entwine my fingers with Jett’s.
“And I know just how desperate you are. That’s why we’re here.
I have what you want. And I’m not giving it up without a fight. ”
Andrei shakes his head, and his demeanor has taken an ice bath.
He’s back to cool and collected. “You’re playing games you’re not equipped for, darling.
If I were you, I’d cut your losses and hand over the jewels.
I’ll overlook your transgressions ... and the state in which you left my yacht.
Does your new lover know your tendency for violence? ”
Jett leans back in his chair. “I know everything. You have an interesting take on violence, Petrov. In America, we call it self-defense.”
Petrov hikes a brow. “So you know. You must hide the knives and fuck her with one eye open. All those years I kept my word to her father. Is her pussy that good? I should have sampled it—or profited from it.”
I tense even though I’m used to this from Andrei. He was all bark and no bite when it came to flaunting me in front of his clients and friends.
Jett, however, is not used to it. “It is. Though I don’t need to lock her up like you did. That says a lot about you and me. I’m that good, and you’re just ... not.”
Oh, God. We haven’t even had sex and that’s hot.
Jett should not be saying things like that right now, and I certainly should not be reacting the way I am to them.
I shift in my seat.
Jett pulls my hand to his lips and aims a sexy gaze on me. “Don’t worry, baby. This will be over soon, and we can get back to more enjoyable things.”
Andrei glares at us before checking the time. “You may think you hold the cards, Lennon, but you don’t. Just you wait. When the tables turn, you won’t know which way is up. You’ll be begging to make a deal with me in exchange for what is rightfully mine.”
“You gave me six years of hell while holding me captive,” I say, doing anything I can to get him to talk.
“I watched the filth of the earth pass through your yacht. Cartels, mafia, low-level drug runners ... while all I could do is sit in hell and dream of freedom. The only thing I want from you is to know why. Why was kidnapping me worth it?”
My desperation to get him to talk mingles with my desperation to know why me. What was so special about me? He could have hired any desperate woman who was willing to live in luxury and hand out food and drinks.
Andrei tsks me and picks up his vodka, this time for a longer pull. Maybe I’ll get lucky, and he’ll drink too much and get loose-lipped. He does like his vodka. “My little pet, always getting ahead of herself.”
Jett smacks the table with his hand. “What did I say about—”
That’s when it happens.
Andrei smiles like a cat who caught the mouse.
And a voice from another life joins our fray. “Hello, Lennon.”
I jerk and turn when I hear that voice.
No.
I can’t believe my eyes.
It can’t be.
Jett juts to his feet and is by my side in a heartbeat. “Who the fuck is this?”
I, on the other hand, can’t move.
I stare up at the man I know like the back of my hand, yet he feels like a complete stranger.
He extends a hand for me, but I shrink back into my chair. “No. Just ... no.”
He has the nerve to smile.
I thought I hated Andrei. It’s nothing compared to the vile feeling that fills my heart from the sight in front of me.
“Darling,” he drawls. His expression reminds me of a snake. He’s healthy, looks like a million bucks, and, most notably, very fucking alive. “Is that any way to greet your father after all these years?”