Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
NATASHA
“W ell, looks like you get a stay of execution.”
Daniel didn’t answer. Not that he could have, what with the ball gag shoved in his mouth over the bloodstained priest’s collar he still wore. Didn’t stop his poisonous glare at me when I showed him Lachlan’s texts.
Knowing the last-minute booking was going to cost a fortune, which I fully intended to bill Lachlan for, I scheduled a charter flight to Elba, then gently cleaned Daniel’s face with a damp washcloth.
Ella had mentioned unharmed, so it probably wasn’t a good idea to let her see blood on him.
Who knew a notorious mercenary would have a glass jaw?
Alive was good enough for government work, so I took a quick photo of him and sent it to Lachlan, assuming he’d send Ella proof of life.
Truly, I was excited to meet her. With all the bullshit floating around from dumbass men about your body, my choice these days, it was nice to see a woman tell them to fuck off before she put a bullet into their useless heads.
Besides, Dante and I were absolute addicts for Ellavate Your Destination , her travel show. Maybe if I begged hard enough, she’d let me go with her for her next Shark Week special.
I liked sharks. They were excellent at removing…evidence.
Leaving Daniel tied to the bed, I went to my closet and dragged out a suitcase. “What do you think I should wear to meet The Goat?” I asked, holding up a dove gray Chanel suit in one hand, and a sumptuous cream cashmere sweater dress in the other.
I didn’t miss the humor in Daniel’s eyes as he jerked his head toward the suit, so I added it to the suitcase, along with a few casual outfits, shoes, undergarments, and toiletries. I’d wear the dress for traveling.
“I guess I should have just called that number,” I continued, “but who knew you were working for someone I actually want to meet?”
He grunted behind the gag, so I took pity on him and unbuckled the strap.
I tossed the gag aside but didn’t untie him. “Maybe we could become besties. Bitches who slay together stay together, am I right?”
“A match made in hell. The world will never be the same.” Daniel swallowed and worked his jaw. “In the interest of my continued ability to hear, will you please turn off the music? I confess, Taylor’s ‘No Body No Crime’ is disturbing, given my current circumstances.”
“Spoilsport. Don’t diss my Tay Tay.” I lowered the volume on Misandry But Make It Country , my favorite playlist, but he winced when I started belting the chorus to Wanda Jackson’s “My Big Iron Skillet.”
What can I say? It’s my theme song.
“Were you lying about her wanting to offer me a job?” I asked once the song ended.
With someone like Ella Rose Moretti, AKA The Goat, and La Signora to anyone too afraid to say her name out loud, it was best to confirm first. I wasn’t about to walk blindly into my own murder.
“I only lie when it gains me something.”
“Lying would gain you your life and my execution.”
“Touché, Spider.” He wiped the side of his face on his arm, and I used a tissue to clean up the remaining drool.
After thanking me, he said, “You impressed her before you managed to capture me. Lying about it would gain me nothing when she already knows I was bested by a little girl barely out of pigtails.”
“Like capturing you was hard?” I snorted, then added, “For a mercenary general, you just aren’t that observant.”
“Nobody expects a fuzzy dart shot into one’s backside,” he murmured. “Clever girl. Will you untie me now? I’m afraid I must use the facilities.”
“You should have been expecting it.” I met his gaze and didn’t blink. “Exposing me without anticipating payback wasn’t your brightest move.”
“Again, touché.”
I palmed a short dagger and sliced through the zip ties securing him to the bed. “In the interest of your continued ability to breathe, I suggest you behave yourself.”
“Of course.” He rose to his feet and stretched. “Excuse me.”
After finishing his business, Daniel returned to sit on the bed. “When does our flight leave?”
“Four hours.”
“Will you return my phone?”
“No.” I zipped my suitcase, then got his passport from my purse and tossed it to him. “I can’t have you spoiling the surprise.”
He blinked at the passport, then scowled. “You broke into my apartment?”
“Breaking in implies I couldn’t steal your key.” I threw a travel sized jewelry case into my suitcase, then zipped it shut. “While you were taking your little nap, I packed for you and canceled your lease. The month to month made it so easy to erase you.”
Although I made sure he understood my original intention, he laughed softly as Dante laid his head in his lap. “I confess, I rather hope you’ll accept her offer. I look forward to working with a trained professional.”
I preened inwardly. Fuck Lachlan and the praise kink he gave me, but I still got off on hearing people say I was good at something. Besides, Dante obviously trusted Daniel, which cranked my anxiety down a notch.
“Would I be working with you?”
“Unfortunately, no. At least, not directly.” He sobered and scratched my dog’s ears. “I am too well known. Your value is in your anonymity, Spider. I will be leading your backup team, but you’ll work alone.”
“Not gonna lie.” I packed my favorite weapons into a carryon, including the sweet Beretta I’d nicked from Lachlan’s gun cabinet on my way out. “Love the supervillain nickname and love the idea of a personal team. Do you think Ella will pay me enough for a volcanic island lair?”
Also, wasn’t gonna lie. I loved the idea of getting a regular paycheck for my little hobby. Killing was expensive.
Well, killing was cheap. Getting rid of the evidence was pricey. If I worked for someone like The Goat, I could…
I shivered with almost sexual pleasure. Being able to kill without worrying about cleanup was incredibly enticing, not to mention having access to her intelligence resources, which far surpassed mine.
He chuckled softly and the skin around his green eyes creased with humor. “Well, Elba exists because of past volcanic activity, and Vesuvius is a short helicopter ride away. I’m sure Ella would love to have you as a neighbor.”
“Close enough, I suppose.” I hesitated and swallowed hard, hating myself for caring. “Do you think she’ll like me?”
He stood and rested his hands on my shoulders, offering the comfort I hadn’t realized I needed. “I know she will, little one. Don’t worry.”
* * *
LACHLAN
I repositioned Ella’s baby in my arms, disconcerted but also pleased she trusted me enough to hold her child. Although I didn’t say it out loud, I considered it a test.
At least Saoirse had been allowed to stay in her room, and although I didn’t like being separated from her, it was probably for the best.
I had Ella’s baby. She had my sister. I held no illusions that Saoirse would suffer if the infant in my arms let out even the slightest sound of distress. Fuck if I knew how to hold a baby in the first place, but little Lelia seemed happy enough to be held like I cradled Orc.
Holding Lelia’s teething toy for her, I wished things could be different. I could have been holding Natasha’s baby if I wasn’t so fucking stupid.
You could have been her husband. I could have been her friend.
Coulda, shoulda, woulda. And now, my sweetly innocent wife had a body count surpassing my own.
What I wouldn’t give to have a do-over, starting with not drugging the French toast and sausages she cooked for me the morning after our wedding. I wouldn’t change the haste of our wedding though. After learning what her father had done to her, I was thankful to have gotten her out.
From his place in front of a computer, one of Ella’s guards turned to face her. “The Spider has arrived with General Petersen, Signora. They’re waiting at the gate. Shall we let them in?”
Spider?
“Does Daniel appear to be unharmed?” she asked.
“Yes, Signora. He has some bruising on his jaw but seems in good health otherwise.”
Ella tossed a burp cloth over her shoulder and took Lelia from me.
At almost six feet tall, with brilliant purple hair shaved on both sides to leave a long tail, and full-sleeve tattoos, Ella was the opposite of what I’d expected from such a notorious individual.
It was hard to picture a nursing mother dressed in saggy leggings and a stained white T-shirt issuing kill orders.
Strangely, I felt as if I’d seen her before, but I couldn’t remember where.
“Perfect. Call down to the kitchen for snacks and drinks and put them in the yellow sitting room. Oh, and have someone tell Finn he’s free to go. He’s probably in the kitchen with Sofia.”
Ella had already let me speak with Finn, who didn’t seem in any hurry to leave.
His guest suite was nicer than his apartment, and in exchange for not attempting escape, he’d been allowed to train with Ella’s mercenaries.
Privately, I thought Finn’s willingness to stay with Ella had less to do with the accommodations and more to do with her lovely chef. If he chose to stay, I’d wish him well.
“Who’s The Spider?” I asked as she settled Lelia against her shoulder.
“Your wife.” Ella laughed softly, then added, “Daniel gave her the totally badass nickname, and I’m gonna make it stick.”
“The Spider and The Goat,” her husband Cristian muttered as he retrieved a thick manila folder from the desk. “It’s a biblical plague of homicidal women.”
“Kindly kiss my entire ass, lover,” Ella retorted.
“You say that like it’s a hardship.” He rose to his feet and stalked to her, then swept her into his arms. “As always, I will do as you bid.”
Too desperate to see Natasha, I turned my back on their torrid kiss and strode from the office. Before I could reach the stairs, Ella caught my arm to stop me.
“I know you’re excited to see her, but I want you to hold back.”
As I moved to step around her, Cristian blocked my path, sending my irritation soaring. “Tell me why.”
Ella’s blue eyes softened, and she sighed. “Because if she sees you, she’ll shoot first and won’t bother asking questions. You have to know this, so I’m asking you to let me talk to her before you come in.”
I grunted, unwilling to admit that Ella was probably right.
“I have a better idea.” Cristian took Lelia from Ella and passed her to me. “Natasha won’t risk harming a child, no matter how much she hates Lachlan.”
“But—”
“She still protects Lachlan’s sister,” he interrupted before kissing her forehead. “You should also recall what she did to that couple who were pimping out their foster daughter. Lelia will be safe as houses with her.”
“Fine.” Ella shot me a glare, then added, “You better be right, Moretti.”
“You know I am.” He swept her long tail of purple hair over her shoulder and kissed her again. “In fact, I daresay Natasha will be an excellent protector for our daughter.”
“She’ll just wait until I put Lelia down.” Lelia blew a spit bubble, and I wiped it away before it reached my suit jacket. “Then she’ll shoot me.”
“Well, let’s hope we can finish our business before Lelia’s next feeding, but hold off on joining us until I signal for you. I’ll leave the door cracked open so you can listen.” Without another word, Ella swept down the stairs, Cristian close on her heels.
Shaking my head, I followed with their baby in my arms to a door on the main level of their expansive villa.
The windows were open, and a sultry Mediterranean breeze billowed the sheer silk curtains.
I smelled the sea, along with olives and lemons from a nearby orchard.
Inhaling, I allowed the pleasant fragrances to fill my lungs, forcing myself into calmness I didn’t truly feel.
Although I deserved it, I wasn’t looking forward to seeing the hate in Natasha’s eyes. Then again, indifference would be worse.
Ella laid her hand on the knob, but didn’t open the door. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” I adjusted my hold on Lelia, praying Cristian’s observations were correct, and that Natasha would hold her fire.