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I knew it wouldn’t be that easy as I watched her slip back into the crowd, smiling to myself that I was one step closer to getting whatIwanted. I didn’t even need something complicated to get Rhys to hand me the real program. Just a little coaxing and a threat or two.
Chapter nineteen
RHYS
The next morning was tense. We had run out of time to prepare and the only thing that would get us out of this mess was walking into HQ and dealing with it head-on. The worst part is that they had specifically asked for me and even mentioned that they knew something was wrong with the US plant.
“Ready, sweetheart?” Valentyn called from the hallway, pushing open my door.
I shook my head even as I slipped into a jacket to complete my look. They had had clothes delivered to the flat late last night while I had still been curled up with Gianni. Tia had asked to sleep in this room with me and Gianni had wholeheartedly agreed as she curled in between us.
It felt so fucking domestic and yet so perfect at the same time, knowing that both of the kids now in my life were safe. There was no way that Tia was ever going to return to her mother’s warm embrace but I also knew that I wasn’t ready for kids. Andasking my men to take on another – well, we had barely spoken about what my role in Paval’s life would be.
Valentyn moved over to me, wrapping a thick arm around my waist and kissing my cheek. “You’ll do fine. Besides, you’ll have Dmitri and I right there with you.”
I scrunched up my nose as I twisted my head to look at him. “Shouldn’t two of you stay here?”
Valentyn chuckled, guiding me into the living room. “No need. Gianni might look small but he’s just as lethal and a little bit crazier than we are. I know you remember justhowcrazy.”
My heart sank into my stomach despite the heat licking up my spine at the dark look in Gianni’s eyes when we had been in that basement. Dread tried to follow but I squashed that emotion. Gianni hopped over the back of the couch and grinned at me. “I’m not small, you bastards. They’re just giants. And yes, Tia and Paval are safe with me.”
Tia peeked over at me, a colorful book resting in her lap. “Gianni said that you guys were going to go shopping for food. We’re having tacos for lunch!” Paval popped up, a wide smile on his face as he mirrored her enthusiasm. I had no idea how Gianni had convinced Tia that we were only going grocery shopping, especially dressed as we were. While I was in everyday plain clothes, Dmitri and Valentyn looked like they had walked out of some kind of sexy bodyguard catalog and it kind of made me want to do things – things that required the use of a soundproof bedroom.
Dmitri caught onto my heated lookwaytoo fast, discreetly grabbing my ass and licking a strip up the side of my neck out of sight of the kids. I squeezed my eyes shut, biting back the moan that sat at the edge of my tongue. Gianni burst out laughing, pressing a chaste kiss to my lips. “Have fun and for fucks sake, don’t forget the sour cream.”
“I want refried beans!” Tia shouted.
“Ew, no. Those are gross,” Paval responded, both of them rounding the couch and giving us little squeezes around our knees before returning to the couch. I wanted to hold Tia just a little bit longer but that would negate the whole ‘we’re just going shopping’.
Valentyn and Dmitri led the way out the door, Gianni snagging me for one more kiss and a few words of encouragement. “I know this is scary but listen to them. Don’t hesitate. They say something, you do it. I know you’ve got a good head on your shoulders and you know things. I also know that there are things that terrify you. But if one of them says move,move. I can’t lose any one of you. Tia needs you. So does Paval. Now, go get ‘em Reeses.”
I felt like we were saying goodbye. I felt like this was the end, a point in time when our paths separated, the last time I’d see the three we were leaving behind.
Slipping into the car, Dmitri drew me close, Valentyn rolling out of the parking lot carefully, the way his eyes kept shifting left and right telling me that he was watching for more than just cars moving out of turn.
“Scared?”
I shook my head, despite my entire body being on alert. “Of course not.”
He chuckled, tucking me against his side. “You’re a terrible liar, Love but I get it. This won’t take long and then I’ll have you right back on the couch with a whole box of stuffed croissants. The ones with the crème in them.” I knew he was trying to make me feel better about this whole situation, so I gave him a wide smile but deep down, I knew that this was only the beginning of the end.
Sure, maybe Hawk International wasn’t dirty but Ada was. And so were the few people who helped me create the program, not to mention thatIhad blood on my hands.
There would be no returning to my house to live out the rest of my boring little life.
No, whatever lay ahead for us was going to be shrouded in chaos and darkness.
I wasn’t ready.
Chapter twenty
GIANNI
It was a little strange sitting here with two self-sufficient kids, content to play whatever games I threw at them. Paval was keeping Tia entertained, although she looked at the door every now and then and asked me if they were coming back yet. I had made up a few lies until I couldn’t handle the pitiful pout on her face and slunk off to the kitchen to find something to occupy my hands.
Something was wrong. I could feel it.
The problem was figuring out what it was.
