AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Ten
Kristo
My woman buriesherself to my chest, and instinctively I pull her to me, enveloping her with my arms. “You’re safe, moro mou.”
“I can’t do this,” she says again, her voice muffled behind the safety of my hold. “His name is Dirk Driver, that’s a comic book villain’s name! He lives in a swamp. And has lizards! I’ll be a prisoner, Kristo. Don’t let him take me. Please, Kristo. Please take me from here.”
She’s trembling as she curls closer. I tighten my hold as the growl hovers in my throat. What sort of man would force his great niece to marry a monster like that? I won’t stand for it. I refuse to allow Siccario to do this to my Iris.
“You won’t be going anywhere,” I promise her and push her into Dem’s arms.
“Cousin, wait.” Dem, in turn, hands Iris off to Chloe. “Take her. See she doesn’t slip away.”
Chloe gives him a look, and he acknowledges it with a single nod. She then turns her attention to a frightened and confused Iris. “Come with me.”
“Where are we going?” Although she asks, Iris doesn’t protest as Chloe drags her toward the bathroom. “You said—”
Chloe’s words float back to me in the near-silent corridor. “You want out of here? I’m your best chance at that happening. Come on.” She leads Iris into the bathroom, locking the door behind them.
I stare at the door as my chest tightens. “She’ll be safe with Chloe.” I don’t ask it as a question, but it’s a question nonetheless.
“My woman will keep her in a secure location and wait for further instruction. She’s very good, the best in fact. So yes, Iris is safe.” He slaps my shoulder. “Can’t say the same for you.”
When I bemusedly regard him, he nods at two men walking toward us. Fast. I stiffen, as does Dem. “Can I help you?” I ask as soon as they are within earshot.
“We need to speak with you in private,” the larger one explains.
“It concerns the woman you just had in your arms in front of her fiancé,” the smaller one adds.
Dem and I exchange looks and shrug in unison. If these two want to turn the meeting into a brawl, I’ll make them regret that unwise decision.
“Lead the way,” I say. When Dem follows, they don’t react. Good. Although I can take out a room full of men, I feel better having my cousin watching my back. Now we can clear the room twice as fast, if necessary.
I regret nothing and will protect Iris to the death if it comes to that. In turn, Dem will protect me to the death. I like those odds.
Once we’re in a private room off in the corner of the first floor, the two men face us, flanking the door so we won’t leave. There’s a second door deeper into the room, but it remains closed. Locked, I’m sure. If we want out of this room, we’ll have to leave the way we came in.
I can handle that.
The larger man speaks first. “My name is Lajos. This is my brother, Taavi. We are here on behalf of Falcone Siccario.”
“I’m going to stop you right there.” I bring up my hands. “If Mr. Siccario wanted to speak to me, he’d do so in person. Try again.”
Taavi steps forward. “It’s true. Mr. Siccario wants us to present you an offer you can’t refuse.”
Huh?I steal a sideways glance at Dem. Did he seriously just say that?
“Hear them out,” Dem says, surprising me. I snap my brow into a frown as more alarms sound in my mind. Dem never did tell me why he came to tonight’s party, specifically, and the two men didn’t even flinch when he followed us into the room.
Why exactly is my cousin here? And whose side is he on, really?
Dem meets my gaze steadily. “Don’t look at me like I’m about to bring you harm, Kristo. I spoke with Mr. Siccario briefly. You need to hear what these men have to say, that’s all.”
I turn from him, disgusted. He could have at least given me a heads up before trapping me in this room with two men I’ve never seen before. Considering how long I’ve worked for Siccario, having my boss send in strangers to negotiate anything doesn’t sit well with me. And having my own cousin in on the negotiations twists in my gut.
“Please, Mr. Kostas. Have a seat.” Lajos motions to the table in front of us.
Both Dem and I shake our heads. Sitting puts us at a tactical disadvantage. We need to stay on our feet, our weapons easily within reach. A table will only be in our way.
