Chapter 24 Natasha
NATASHA
I held my breath as the two of them started down those dark stairs.
And the second they were out of sight, I slipped into the room.
I looked around frantically at how they had rearranged it.
The couch, on the opposite end of the wall.
A chair pressed into the corner. I rushed over to the chair and pulled it into the middle of the room.
Had to make it look like I’d just given a dance, right?
I stashed the gun underneath the cushion, just in case I needed it later.
Then, I fished my earpiece out of my lingerie bottoms.
“Toxin, can you hear me?” I asked.
“She’s back, boys,” Grave said.
“We can all hear,” Knox murmured.
But, a tap in my ear signaled to me that he heard me.
“I want to go with him. Is it possible for me to go with Toxin and Ryker?” I asked.
“No,” Rock said plainly.
“You have to keep your position, so nothing seems out of place,” Grave said.
I sighed. “Well, I can’t just stand in this room and do nothing, guys. Toxin’s downstairs and vulnerable. Phillip’s out in the main room. He’s going to come check on me any minute.”
“Toxin’s a big boy. And he’s got Ryker. Plus, I’ve got my eye on Phillip. He’s not moving right now,” Brewer whispered.
“I hate that I can still smell that man’s blood in this room,” I said, sighing.
“It’s a smell you never forget,” Grave said.
I looked around for something to do. At the very least somewhere to sit while the show went on.
I paced the floor, sniffing deep while the scent of blood slowly died off.
The air conditioning kicked on and filtered most of the smell out.
Replacing it with the smell of mothballs and uncleaned air ducts.
Then, an idea hit me.
“What’s the plan if Phillip comes and finds me?” I asked.
“I’m out here. I’ve got you,” Cage said.
“You can’t just kill him. At least, not in a showy way. He works directly with Lars. If he hasn’t come to find me already because of Ivan’s disappearance, he’ll come for Phillip,” I said.
“She’s got a point,” Rock said.
“You’re talking as if you have an idea,” Grave said.
“I do. Right now, if we want to avoid killing people until absolutely necessary, Phillip needs a distraction,” I said.
“Let me guess. You want to offer yourself up as a distraction,” Knox murmured.
I heard furious tapping in my ear, but I tried to press on.
“If he comes to check on me, I’m finished. But if I can make it look like he’s the next dance?” I asked.
The tapping grew louder, and I heard Toxin breathing quickly into his earpiece.
“Toxin, cut the shit. She’s got a point. Let us figure it out and do your damn job,” Grave said curtly.
The tapping stopped, but I still heard the shallow breathing.
“I promise, I’ll stay safe. I’ve got that gun. I’ve got my wits about me again. But you know I’m right, handsome,” I said.
Everyone fell silent before a heavy sigh was heaved over our earpieces.
“Okay, look. It’s not a terrible idea. And you’re right.
Phillip is a loose string that will still need to be dealt with.
So, here’s what we’ll do. Cage and Saint?
You two go with her back out into the main room.
Watch her as she navigates this plan with Phillip.
Bear? You stay in that hallway with the body.
If Natasha and Phillip come back down that hallway and he tries any shit, be in position to take him out,” Grave said.
“Copy,” Bear said.
“What makes you think Phillip will want a dance from you?” Brewer asked.
All ears were on me as things fell silent again.
“Because he’s tried hitting on me a couple of times over the past year or so. He’ll take me up on the offer,” I said.
The furious tapping started up again and I rolled my eyes.
I knew that would piss Toxin off. But it was the only play we had.
The door whipped open and Cage stood there with Saint.
Ready to escort me back into the main room.
I drew in a deep breath as the tapping continued.
I tried to put it out of my mind as we all made our way back into the room.
And the second I emerged, the guys disappeared into the shadows.
“Toxin, stop the fucking tapping. The plan’s already happening. Do your job or I’m pulling you out of there,” Grave hissed.
I put on my best smile as I scanned the room.
I didn’t need to look long before I found Phillip, though.
I walked over to him and his eyes found me.
But his stoic face caught me off guard. I braced myself.
I walked over to him and slid into his lap.
I watched the girls for a little bit as my arm slipped around his neck. And for a while, he didn’t touch me.
Until his hand softly slipped to my lower back.
“How’d Ivan’s dance go?” he asked.
I grinned. “I took care of him. Just like you intended.”
“I don’t see him out here.”
“He’s a man, Phillip. Which means he’s fast asleep.”
He quirked an eyebrow and ran his gaze down my body. I kept my demeanor cool, hoping he couldn't see through my veiled expressions. I eased a little closer to him. I placed my head against his shoulder. And as his arm softly tightened around my waist, I cleared my throat.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly.
“For what?” he asked.
“For getting upset with you.”
“I figured you would.”
“Still, I shouldn’t have. I know you’re only taking orders. Not orchestrating this whole thing.”
He nodded slowly. “Yep.”
“Is there any way I can make it up to you?”
I rose my head, connecting my eyes with his.
I pouted with my eyes and tried to put on my best wide-eyed, innocent expression.
The edges of his lips ticked. His eyes darted around.
I peered just beyond his shoulder, locating Saint and Cage in the background.
At least I had them there in case shit went belly-up.
Then, my attention turned back to Phillip.
“Are you free to dance?” he asked.
I stood up. “I could even give you a private one.”
I held my hands out for him and he took them in stride.
I helped him out of his chair, then slowly tugged him back down the road I had just traveled.
Back down the hallway. Past Bear, who I couldn't see but I knew was standing there, nonetheless.
I walked him into the room. I prayed he couldn't smell Ivan’s blood on the couch in the corner.
And as I led him over to the chair, I slowly sat him down.
All the while keeping my peripheral vision on the butt of the gun jutted out from underneath the corner of the cushion.
“You know you’re beautiful, right?” Phillip asked.
I straddled his lap and placed my hands onto the arms of the chair.
“Sometimes,” I said softly.
“Well, you are, Natasha.”
I swiveled my hips. “I’m really glad you think so.”
“I want you to know that I never agreed with what Lars and Ivan were doing to you.”
I rolled against his legs. “That’s good to know.”
“I hope we’re still friends after all this.”
My eyes found his. “Just friends?”
My earpiece was completely silent. I knew the guys were sitting on pins and needles, listening to what was happening.
I crept a little closer. I slid my hands up Phillip’s chest. His eyebrows rose and he slid a little further into his chair.
Trying to get that measly dick of his closer to my pelvis.
It wouldn’t work, though. The more he slid down, the closer he placed me to the gun.
And as I leaned closer, feeling his disgusting breath against my lips, my hand crept toward the cool metal.
“Phillip?” I said softly.
“Yes, Natasha?”
“Do you want to know what I think?”
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Always, beautiful.”
I ripped the gun out from underneath the cushion.
I pressed it into his gut. His eyes grew wide as he scrambled for his, but he came up empty-handed.
I heard Bear chuckling in my earpiece. I heard footsteps rumbling outside the door.
And as Phillip’s eyes burned with anger, I cocked the suppressed gun.
“I fucking hate that nickname,” I glowered.