Chapter 33 #2
“How did they get past the guards?”
“They let them through. The divider between us was up so I didn’t see them. I was out of the car, along with my bags, and they left. I never saw their real face.”
“But it was a man who brought you back here?”
“Yes. They were strong enough to lift me without much effort.” She frowns. “You think they were trying to get access to the house?”
“They already had it if they were let through the gates without even a stop or check,” I admit, and she winces.
“None of this is your fault. From what I can see, your friend wants to protect you, but I want you to understand something, Mila. This friend, they are like me. They know how to hide themselves, and they are very good at lying and deceiving to get what they want. That means that while you trust them, you need to be careful. Very careful.”
“I’ve never told them anything,” she says defensively, her arms crossing over her chest. Hades lets out a low whine, nuzzling her like he wants to give her comfort.
“Of course not, you’re a smart kid. I’m just letting you know that right now, there are a lot of things going on, and the only people you can wholly trust are your father, uncle, Oleg, myself, Alonzo, and his men.
If your friend tries to get in touch with you again, will you promise to let me know? ”
“You really think that they’re going to hurt me? They’ve had so many chances over the last three years. Why would they try now?”
“It might not be you they want to hurt, Mila. You’re smart. Your uncle runs one of the most powerful Bratva territories in the country, and possibly even Russia. There are a lot of people that will do anything to have what he has, and that might mean using you to get it.”
“Is that what you’re trying to do? Pretending to be nice to me so you can get the inside track on my uncle? What, the Italian guy isn’t enough? You want the big dog?”
I snort, not taking offense. “Your uncle would sooner kill me than try to give you a new aunt via me. I don’t have any designs on your father, uncle, or Oleg, I’ll promise you that.
And I don’t want power either. I was living a very good life before I was dragged back into this, and when it’s over, your uncle has told me I’ll walk away free. ”
She gives me a pitying look. “And you say I’m too trusting?”
I grin wickedly. “Darling, I never said I trusted or believed that, but sometimes playing along is all you need to do until you can figure out the next move. Get what I’m saying?”
Slowly she nods. “You’re badass, but I think my uncle has his sights set on someone else anyway.”
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 flops back 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.