"No one knows," he says, the threat threading through his words like a blade sliding between ribs. "Be a shame if they did. But I'll make sure they won't, you know that. We all just do our part."
Motherfucker.
He always resorts to thinly veiled threats. Most of the time, they aren't necessary.
But this time, with Keira, they are at least warranted.
Maybe he knows somehow that I've crossed a line, knows I'm not treating her like a typical package anymore, and he's reminding me what happens if I forget where my loyalties lie.
I mean, if this were any other mission, I'd already have tagged her, but this isn't just any other mission.
"I'll handle it," I say, my voice cold.
"I know you will, Octavian. For the family."
The line goes dead.
I stare at the phone for a second longer, then slide it back into my pocket, trying to push down the rage rising in my chest.
This move into the U.S. must be the most important thing for him. Important enough to do whatever it takes.
Important enough to sacrifice Keira.
"Everything okay?"
Her voice cuts through my thoughts.
I turn, and she's standing in front of me now, no longer on the platform, her expression worried.
"Yes," I lie, forcing a smile. "You ready?"
She hesitates for a moment and then nods. "Yeah, sure. Let me take this dress off, pay, and we can go. Do you mind if we stop by C9 for coffee?"
"No, not at all."
"Perfect." She smiles and turns around, then stops and looks back at me. "Oh, I need to take some pics for Calli before I change."
"Okay," I say, stepping toward her. "You want me to take them?"
Her eyes widen slightly, surprised. "Really? Yeah. That'd be great. Thanks."
She hands me her phone, and I take it, though I'm tempted to grab her and pull her toward me.
She steps back onto the platform and adjusts the dress. "Okay, just a few. Calli wants to see all the angles."
I raise the phone, framing her in the screen.
She poses naturally, one hand on her hip, the other brushing through her hair. She tilts her head, smiles, shifts, and smiles again.
Then she poses playfully as she adjusts the neckline.
She looks beautiful, but all I can think about is Nicolae's voice.
They're going to take the package. Track her and let her lead you to them.
I force the words out of my head.
Focus on her.
