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“He’s meeting us in Dimalona. Probably Sunday, though he might come sooner, depending on how eager he is to get in on the action. He likes to shoot things.”
I shake my head with a wry smile. “Sounds familiar.”
He doesn’t seem to hear me. He’s far too excited getting ready, like this trip is one big vacation for him.
Or maybe he just feels the same way I feel about him, but I don’t want to get my hopes up.
That’s how you get let down.
19
Nikolai
Ihaven’t had this much energy since I was eighteen and running from the police for the thrill of it.
The idea of taking Dream out dancing makes me feel alive again. I used to dance all the time, but I haven’t had much time for it because of how busy work has been, so it feels good to have a woman to go out with, especially as one as beautiful and interesting as Dream.
It doesn’t matter that she doesn’t have experience dancing. It’s not actually that hard, and she’s proven to be a quick learner, so I’m sure she’ll catch on before the night is over.
As I power through lunch with her, I catch her staring at me several times with those big brown eyes of hers. It seems almost too good to be true, so I try not to get too distracted by her. I can’t forget that she gave me such a hard time when we first arrived here. If she’s capable of disrespecting me once, I’m sure she could do it again.
Of course, I want to believe things have changed, but I’ve made up my mind not to let my guard down. We’re still on a mission, and even if it seems like everything is coming together better than I had imagined, it only takes one wrong move to send everything toppling over into chaos.
I won’t let my guard down tonight, and that’s especially important because I haven’t told anyone that I’ll be out with Dream, not even Jasha. It’s a bit of a risk, and I’m sure he’d have a problem with it, but what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
This might be my only night to show Dream that I’m not the asshole she thinks I am. It’s also my opportunity to discover more about her, to really dig deep and figure out who she is.
We finish our lunch without any notable event, no Cartel members lurking in the bustling venue to turn the day into another shootout, and no text messages from Diego threatening to kill Eddy if we don’t comply with some new requests.
Even Dream seems to be quieter, but I know that’s just the calm before the storm. Once I get in touch with Gabriel and put the plan into action, she’s going to start getting nervous. It’s impossible to ignore something once it’s right up in your face, and Monday is looming on the horizon like an oversized sun about to explode and take everyone with it.
We stop by a few stores on the way back to the hotel, but Dream won’t show me what she’s bought. She keeps saying that it’s a surprise, but I’m not a fan of those. In my experience, they’re never anything good.
Back at the hotel, I take the opportunity to call Gabriel while Dream gets ready for our night out. I don’t need that long to get ready, but she insists that if she’s going to make a fool of herself on the dance floor, that she should at least look good while doing it.
I’m not really sure what that means, since she does look good, and she won’t make a fool of herself, but I’m not in the business of arguing with Dream anymore. I’ve discovered it’s not worth it because she rarely gives in.
So, I allow her to take the bathroom for a while, taking the opportunity to call Gabriel and find out if he’s interested in my proposition.
“Money talks, and bullshit walks,” Gabriel grumbles as he answers the phone.
“Then you’d better start walking,” I reply with a grin.
Silence fills the space between us, and then Gabriel bursts into a fit of laughter. “You’ve always been a bastard, Nikolai. Or is it Jasha this time? I can never tell you two apart by voice alone.”
“Nikolai,” I reply, wandering over to the window and moving the curtain just far enough to get a look out into the courtyard. Nobody is there, nor has anyone ever been since we came here, but I refuse to get comfortable again after the attack at the bar.
“I knew you’d come crawling back to me eventually,” Gabriel says.
“Not crawling. Walking. Maybe driving.”
He laughs. “Alright, I can tell you’re not in any real trouble, so what’s up?”
“I have a deal for you,” I say, moving away from the window. “Something you’re going to want.”
“The only thing I want is an early retirement. This shit gets to me sometimes,” he grumbles.
“Believe me, I know, but what I’m about to suggest might help you along with that.”
