Chapter 34 Bastian
BASTIAN
“Here are some more contracts that need your signature, Mr. Thorne.”
I nodded at my assistant. “Thank you, Christina.” I shuffled through the documents and scribbled my signature on the first one.
Then my gaze lifted, moving to the figure curled on the black leather couch in the corner of my office. Lark was working furiously on her tablet. I was insanely curious to see what she was doing, what was so important that it absorbed her so much. But I wouldn’t betray her trust by peeking.
She’d show me when she was ready.
I knew she wanted to be out there, doing something to find Dean, but she’d hit a wall. She hadn’t found any clues to where he might be. Nash and my security team were still empty-handed as well.
The man had been hiding for decades, so I wasn’t surprised that he was good at it.
She’d been pacing the penthouse since early this morning, trying to convince me to take a day off. My shoulder ached like hell, but I’d relented and taken some painkillers to make her happy. I’d also told her that there was no way I was letting Dean dictate my day.
When she’d suggested she come to the office with me, I’d been more than agreeable. Even though I knew she was playing bodyguard.
I rose and walked closer. She eyed me, holding her tablet to her chest.
“How’s it going?” I nodded at the iPad.
“Good.”
When she didn’t say anything else, I nodded and started to turn away.
“It’s a web comic.”
I looked back. “You draw?”
She nodded. “It relaxes me. My dad taught me.”
I smiled. I loved the idea of her having a creative outlet. “Impressive. Drawing is not a skill of mine.”
“I’ve been working on the comic for a while.” There was another pause, and I could tell she was wrestling with how much she wanted to say. “It’s a modern retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone.”
I knew the story well. We’d held a show based on the myth at the Avernus last year. “That’s a favorite of mine. One day, I hope you’ll show me your artwork.”
“Maybe I will.”
The phone on my desk rang. I moved over to answer it.
I’d been dealing with casino business for the last few hours.
Everyone was in hyperdrive as the opening of the show drew closer.
As I answered the call, I felt Lark watching me.
I liked having her here. It was strange, because I didn’t normally like people in my private space, except for the guys.
“Bastian.”
It was my head of catering. “Rick, what can I do for you?”
Listening to Rick drone on, I met Lark’s gaze.
I didn’t like the look in her eyes. All of this morning, she’d been eyeing me like she was wrestling with some decision. She rose and wandered to the windows.
As the voice on the call confirmed the menu for the show opening, I was done. I didn’t give a fuck what my guests ate.
“Thanks, Rick. It sounds fine. Take care of it.” I set the phone down, then walked back toward Lark. “What’s going on in that busy brain of yours?”
She wrapped her arms around her middle. “Dean is after me. Fixated on me.”
I scowled. I hated the idea of this asshole being focused on her.
She turned to face me. “So, I think it makes sense that I go.”
Every cell in my body froze. “Go?” My tone dropped to an icy level.
“He shot you, Bastian. He knows that you’re a weakness for me.”
“You’re not leaving.” I knew my voice was little more than a low roar.
She threw her arms up in the air. “You’re in danger!”
“So are you.”
She ignored that. “If I go, he’ll follow, and he’ll lose interest in you.”
I stalked closer. She felt my mood and backed up until she hit the wall. I pinned her there with my body, my hands circling the base of her throat.
“Bastian—”
“Quiet.” My voice was low, lethal. “You’re not leaving.”
She got a stubborn look on her face. One I recognized all too well.
“You’re. Not. Leaving.” I gently squeezed her throat. “We’ll take him down. Together.”
“I’m an assassin. I’ll make a plan, lure him—”
“No, we do it together. Together, we’re stronger, and I have a whole team of retired assassins as back up.”
Her face was expressionless, then she nibbled on her lip. Something I’d only noticed her doing in the last few days.
“I’m not used to working with a team.”
I leaned in and brushed my nose against hers. “Get used to it. If you run, Lark, I’ll follow you.”
Our gazes stayed locked for a long moment.
Then she blew out a breath. “Fine. Okay.”
My shoulders relaxed. Now, I pressed my lips to hers and kissed her.
There was a knock at the door. As I turned, I saw Nash and Georgie enter.
“Hi, Lark.” Georgie smiled.
Lark nodded. “Hi.”
“First up, the security team got images of your guy,” Nash said.
Lark straightened. “Where?”
“They tracked him out of the casino and down Las Vegas Boulevard, but then he disappeared.” A scowl crossed Nash’s rugged face. “He’s not showing up on facial rec anywhere.”
“He won’t be far away,” Lark said. “But he’s good at slipping through the shadows.”
“I want him found,” I said.
Nash jerked his chin up. “I’ve contacted my hacker friend. He’s on it.”
Frustration seared through me. I wanted Dean dealt with.
“Okay, I also have some business to discuss,” Georgie said. “I’ve a message from Marilyn.”
Marilyn Straus was the head of my Events team and Georgie’s boss. Few dared cross the organized and fearsome woman.
“Opening night for Isis and Osiris is tomorrow night. You’re expected to be there.”
I sighed and pressed a finger to my forehead. “It hasn’t been a priority.”
“You’ve had a lot going on,” Georgie conceded. “Chance will be there, but certain people and the cast will expect you to be there, as well.”
I shoved a hand through my hair.
Nash got a speculative look on his face.
I knew that look. I lowered my hand. “What are you thinking, Oakley?”
“Dean wants Lark, and he’s made it clear he’d like to take you out as well.”
My mouth flattened. “I’m aware.”
“So put on a tuxedo and get Lark a sexy dress. Tomorrow’s opening will make you two a big juicy target that he won’t be able to resist.”
“That’s brilliant,” Lark said.
I didn’t love the idea of using Lark as bait, but I realized that we could use this. We’d have the home team advantage, the security team would be good backup, and this could finally be over.
Lark would have her revenge.
She’d be safe.
Georgie’s face fell. “You’re going to try and catch a serial killer in the middle of our show opening?”
Nash curled an arm around his wife. “It’ll be fine. We’ve got this. No one will notice.”
She put a hand on her hip. “Oh, like when we went after Snyder? And he beat you with a metal pole and you leaped onto a speeding car.”
Nash cleared his throat. “I promise, no speeding cars.”
“We need a plan,” I said. “I want all the guys involved. I want every angle covered. Dean doesn’t get close to Lark.”
“I want him close,” she said fiercely. “Close enough so I can slide my knife between his ribs.”
Her bloodthirsty promise made my cock twitch.
Georgie groaned, dropping her head into her hands. “This is going to be a disaster.”