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“When you’re hiding something really rare or valuable, you not only need a good security system, but it also helps to have a decoy or a distraction in place,” Soren explained. “A Rembrandt or a Botticelli is a lot harder to get your hands on than, say, a Picasso. Something by Picasso is still worth a lot, but it’s also easier to fake and not as big a loss as the Botticelli.”
“You put the Picasso somewhere to draw a thief’s eye while you hide the Botticelli. With any luck, he’ll go after the easy target and tell himself that the other isn’t worth his time,” Alexei continued. “Benicio Perez is loud, flashy, and arrogant. It makes him the perfect target for anyone and everyone.”
“But he’s also younger with good health. It’s easier to move him around and protect him,” Charlie grumbled.
“Fucker is bait,” West snarled. “And we went for it.”
“He’s done his job of being bait very well,” Alexei said. He picked up one of Soren’s hands and held it while setting his teacup on the table. “We can still go after him, but really, not killing him? That seems like a waste. It would just be easier if we kill him and then get the DNA sample you need.”
Will’s wide eyes snapped up to Charlie’s face. His lover had been warm and welcoming from the moment Soren and Alexei appeared. He and the assassin had gotten along well. Now he’d gotten a real taste of Alexei’s unique view of the world.
Before Charlie could speak, Soren was lifting both of Alexei’s hands to his lips and brushing kisses across the knuckles. “Angel, it would be hard to go back to this Carlos and tell him that we’ve killed his nephew while confirming the dead man was, in fact, related to his beloved dead wife.”
Alexei huffed an annoyed sigh and dropped his head against Soren’s shoulder. “True,” he agreed, his lips forming a pout. “He started with the lethal tactics first, though. He tried to kill Will. I say this is only fair.”
And now Charlie was agreeing with the psychopath. Lovely.
It must have shown on his face, because Will squeezed his knee. “No, Charlie,” he said in warning tones.
Fucker deserved to die for ever threatening Will.
“I’ve been trying to locate Catalina Perez, but I can’t even confirm whether she’s alive or dead,” Kairo announced.
“In K’s defense, he’s also been stuck trying to hack Perez’s defenses and support us for the compound infiltration,” Ed argued. “It’s not like he’s been able to put all his resources behind the search.”
Alexei bounced on the couch cushion as he turned to face Kairo next to him, his young face lighting up. “Let me help you. I’ve got a lot of experience finding people that don’t want to be found. If we get really stuck, we could give my uncles a call.”
“Oh yes, I’m sure they haven’t gotten into any trouble in like…days,” Soren teased.
“Your uncles are…?” Will’s voice faded.
“Assassins,” Alexei answered with a grin. “Mostly retired now, but they get bored and like to meddle in my life.”
Will looked up at Charlie again. “This is your normal life?”
Charlie cupped the side of his face and ran his thumb across his cheekbone. “Sometimes. It doesn’t have to be. After we finish in Argentina, you just say the word and we’ll go to the States or Paris. You set up a practice, we buy a home, and have a Norman Rockwell life, if that’s what you want.”
The entire room became deathly silent. He could feel every eye on them. No one moved. No one so much as breathed as they waited on Will’s response. Charlie hadn’t meant to drop this bomb on them—not like this—but they already knew Will was his world. He couldn’t risk fucking this up a second time.
Luckily, Will didn’t leave them hanging in suspense.
The doctor jerked his head back a little and wrinkled his nose as his upper lip curled. “Okay, we don’t need to go quite that far into the realm of the mundane. I just need more time to adjust to the idea of people trying to kill me. And maybe, assassins.” Will’s head whipped around to Alexei. “No offense meant.”
Alexei widely grinned and waved a hand at him. “None taken. My family and I take some adjustment.”
Will returned his attention to Charlie. “I want to be with you on these crazy missions. I need to be there to watch out for you, Kairo, West, and Ed. Who else is going to patch you up?”
“Oh, thank God,” Kairo groaned, sinking deeper into the couch.
“Seriously,” Ed added. “Charlie is usually the one playing nursemaid, and his bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired.”
“Fuck off,” Charlie grumbled, but there was no heat in his voice. His eyes were still full of Will. Leaning down, he brushed a kiss to Will’s lips. “We can talk about this more later.” Preferably when Charlie was wrapped up in Will’s relaxed, sweaty body in bed tonight.
