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It’s just like Niko to have to confess shit. If he were any more sensitive, he’d be a goddamn girl.
Her shoulders slump, and damn if that doesn’t break my heart a little. “I don’t blame you. The first time I went missing, Ihadrun, so why shouldn’t you suspect it again?”
We’re quiet while Chef takes away our dishes. It’s odd that Charleigh is here at the club without her sister, she so seldom leaves her anymore, but Evie must be with Gloria, who’s taken to helping her with her lessons. It’s funny, the very same housekeeper used to help Niko. It was hard for her when my parents died, having been with them so many years, but our household help were taken care of while we rebuilt. We needed their loyalty, and well, money can buy a shit ton of that.
“You all were rough on me when I came back from running off, and to be honest, I was going to leave again at some point, only with better planning. But then Evie started getting into trouble, and she became my priority. Now I realize I can’t leave no matter how much I might want to.” She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “I can never leave, now. There is a price on my head. There always will be.”
* * *
CHAPTERTWELVE
Charleigh
“The Alekseevs will wait here. You come with me, Miss Gates.”
ThePakhan’ssecond, as the guys call him, is gesturing at me to follow. But he can kiss my ass.
I look at the brothers. They’ve got to do something. They promised to protect me. And there can’t be anything more dangerous than leaving me alone with thePakhanand his creepy associate. I mean, talk about throwing someone to the wolves.
I stand, happy I wore the highest heels I have. They kill my feet but make me feel like a serious bad-ass babe.
And I need all the bad-ass vibes I can get.
I approach the second, closer than I want to be to him, but I have a point to make. A very clear point. “I’m going nowhere without the guys. Sorry.”
I tilt my head defiantly, hoping like hell he doesn’t notice my shaking hands.
The guys have noticed though, and while they look cool, I know they’re ready to jump this asshole. In fact, there is probably nothing they’d like more, at the moment.
“I am sorry, lady. He saysyou. Alone,” he sneers back at me, smugness seeping from every pore.
I get it. This guy, and all the Bratva I guess, aren’t accustomed to women challenging them. It’s obvious. But that doesn’t mean I’m just going to bend over for them.
Sorry, not sorry.
To prove my point, I go back to my chair and plop down, ignoring the second like he’s not even in the room. And as I do, I spot Niko and Vadik reflexively touching their guns under their suit jackets. I’ve become accustomed to this subtle movement. I’ve grown to find it strangely comforting, just like I suppose they do.
The only thing that would be more comforting would be if I had my own firearm.
The tension in the room over my stand-off grows, with the second insisting I come with him alone, and my insisting on only going if the guys can come with me. I don’t know how this is going to shake out, but I act like I don’t give a shit by looking around the room and occasionally examining my cuticles.
Like I haven’t a concern in the world.
Nope. Just another day at the office.
Niko gets to his feet and approaches the second, patting him on the back like they’re buddies who can easily come to an agreement.
The second doesn’t see it that way and stiffens at Niko’s touch.
“Charleigh’s been through a lot,” Niko says by way of explanation, “and thePakhanknows that. He’ll understand. Now, shall we get the show on the road rather than make the man wait?”
The second’s expression is unchanging, like he’s some sort of ugly Russian robot.
I don’t wait to be left alone with thePakhan, nor his second. I find it hard enough to trust the Alekseev brothers anymore, doing so only because I don’t have much of a choice. One of the men from their world hurt me, and I know others are perfectly willing to. Women aren’t valued by men like thePakhan. We’re little more than chattel. Everything about my self-defense training saysnotto put oneself in a dangerous situation to begin with. And yet here I am, walking into the lion’s den.
The second’s phone beeps and he pulls it to his ear, continuing to keep an eye on the four of us. “Yes, sir?” he says. “She’s coming right away. Yes, sir. Thank you.”
He drops his phone back into the pocket of his ill-fitting suit and reaches to pat his weapon just like the brothers do.
