Page 28 of Fighting Salvation

Rykov moved closer to Lotus and she glared at him. “I would never dream of winding her up. Would I, flower?”

Bás had stopped listening though because Val had walked into the room with her phone in her hand. He’d given her a burner phone which was safe to use, but the look on her face had all his senses going into overdrive.

“Val, what is it?” He rushed to her, placing his hand on her back and feeling the warm heat under the long shirt she wore over her leggings. Her head lifted and he saw something in them he didn’t fucking like.

“So I just got a call.”

“Okay.”

“From Hansen, inviting me to dinner.”

“What!” he barked, grabbing the phone from her. “What did that bastard say? I’m going to rip his fucking head off and shove it up his ass.”

“Calm down, Bás.”

Bás gritted his jaw as he looked at Val, who seemed so calm and cool about this. “Calm down? Calm down? Are you fucking kidding me? He got access to a fucking burner number and came after you again. I’m going to peel his skin from his body and take a fucking blow torch to his nuts.”

“Graphic but a fair torture method.” Rykov was nodding as if he was slightly impressed and approved of Bás’ plans.

“Lotus, get Watchdog on the phone now. I want to know how this happened. Rykov, Hurricane, make sure we’re fucking secure.”

He dropped his head, sucking in oxygen to calm his racing heart as his team rushed to do his bidding. How dare that bastard come after her again. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so angry. He always employed a calm rational head to missions, but Hansen was his weak spot. Even then, he kept his head and played the long game. But now he wanted to tear him apart and the reason was the woman standing silently beside him.

“Tell me exactly what he said.” He moved closer, wanting desperately to wrap his arms around her and keep her safe. He was getting closer and closer to losing the fight within himself to keep his hands off her when every part of him wanted to lay claim to this woman. She held a part of him he hadn’t even known existed until they’d met. It was like she saw into his soul.

“He asked how my arm was. Said he was sorry I was bitten and he regretted it. I told him to go to hell and he laughed.”

“He would, the prick.”

“Then he said he enjoyed talking to me and asked if I’d meet up with him for dinner tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow night? So he’s here in SA?”

“He didn’t say but that would be my assumption, yes.”

“So what did he say when you said no?” Her pause made every hair on his body stand on end. “Please tell me you said no.”

“It’s the perfect way to get close to him. I can keep him busy while you do whatever you do.”

“Valentina, I’m not using you as bait for that fucking psycho.”

“Why not?” She lifted her chin in defiance and he had the urge to put her over his knee and spank her ass for being so careless with her life.

He stepped forward as she moved back. “Because it is a trap.”

Val rolled her eyes. “I know that. I’m not dumb.”

“I didn’t say you were.”

Val crossed her arms over her chest and her shirt gaped, giving him a delicious view of her gorgeous tits. His dick hardened and suddenly everything about this encounter felt different.

“I could go undercover and help you catch this bastard, Niall. You could finally be free of him.”

God, she wasn’t playing fair using his real name. “Val.”

“Niall.”

“You are not going.”