X lowered his voice. “Most places like this have some sort of hidden way for the servants to move around the castle without disturbing their people.”
Doubt hit Max’s voice. “And you know this how?”
“I’m guessing.” X shrugged.
“But still, X has a point. Even the Vatican has a secret passage between the city and Rome.”
“And how do you know that, Em?”
“Because it’s dope.”
The unorthodox tour continued. We passed tons of rooms. Many of the doors were open, exposing abandoned, neat spaces. Tons of portraits hung on the walls, but many appeared blurry and unclear. I had no idea what was going on in the images. Even the paintings in the hallway had me confused. Far away, I noticed the broad and bright strokes, but as I passed the paintings, there were finer details I couldn’t comprehend.
My nerves were frazzled.
Protecting Kaz here would be difficult. I knew I’d be out of my element, but this was unbelievable. We were in a goddamn haunted castle for god’s sake. We’d have to play catch-up in seconds. I tried to memorize everything that I could, wondering if I would need the knowledge later. Most of all, I kept my head clear, no matter how spectacular and odd a room or hallway appeared.
Someone here might’ve helped Sasha. While Kazimir probably saw this castle as a second home, this could be a trap. Every person greeting him with smiling faces could be the one ready to slit his throat.
I thought of the conversation that Misha had with Kazimir.
“Trust no one,” I whispered to Maxwell. “Not even Valentina.”
He nodded.
It would be smart to help Kazimir find his enemies within this castle, regardless of my not knowing the language and layout, despite the fact that I didn’t understand the strange ceremonies and haunting décor. Kazimir’s enemies were my enemies. And even if that wasn’t true, I had a strong desire to kill anyone that bothered him.
There were so many moments to choose from. What had made the strong urge come over me? What had he done?
Flash of the past days raced through my mind.
My chest rose and fell. He pressed against me so close that when my breasts rose with my breathing, my nipples rubbed against his muscular chest.
“For now, I don’t know if I can give you a temporary employment deal.” He slipped his lips along the curve of my neck. “You’re too smart, too valuable, and too goddamn sexy. I like seeing you. Smelling you. I want to touch your skin too much.”
A whimper escaped me.
“I don’t like the idea of temporary when it comes to you, Emily.” He nibbled at the curve, driving me crazy. My knees almost gave way. I leaned into him more as I arched my back, wanting to feel more of him. A thrill moved through me. Exciting. Intoxicating.
“And on the topic of your dating, I don’t want anyone else…keeping the edge off.” He growled those last words as he slipped his lips along my chin and then stopped at my mouth.
I shuddered against him, but still, he didn’t kiss me.
I almost begged him to.
“Don’t be mad at me, little mysh.”
“I’m not,” I whispered.
“Hmmm.” And then his mouth went to mine before I could process what was happening. I thought a kiss from him would be rough and fast, but it was sweet, warm, and so soft. He took his time, giving me lazy wet strokes of his tongue, savoring my taste.
“Oh, mysh.” He captured my lips again, sweeping his tongue over mine and then fully claiming my mouth for his. Consuming me. His scent filled the air to the point where I knew I would smell like him the rest of the night—powerful and seductively masculine.
“Emily?” Maxwell disrupted my thoughts.
Everyone was several feet ahead and watching me, especially Uncle Igor and Kazimir.
“Mysh, are you okay?” Kaz walked over to me.
I swallowed. “I’m fine.”
Uncle Igor monitored the whole exchange and for the rest of the tour, Kazimir kept me right next to him, his fingers interlocked with mine. I should’ve been uncomfortable with the closeness around so many strangers, but no one said anything. The many that witnessed this, changed the way they greeted me from then on.
Suddenly, smiles covered everyone’s faces. Others nodded in appreciation.
Twenty minutes later, Uncle Igor walked us to another dark hallway.
Two women appeared.
Kaz turned to me. “They will show you to your rooms.”
Of course, I had tons of questions, but I nodded.
His voice lowered. “You’ll have time to rest in there. It’s been a long flight.”
Translation: Stay in your room. Don’t get in trouble.
Kaz continued, “Later, someone will bring your clothes.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“It’ll be a feast,” Kaz said. “My uncle will want us well-dressed.”
Max stirred on my right, while X grinned.
“I have to talk to him.” Kaz’s gaze shifted to intense and licked his lips. “I’ll see you later. You look on edge. I’ll take care of that.”
Translation: I will do my best to come back and fuck you.
My body shivered with lust.
I worked on keeping my voice calm. “Thank you. I’ll look forward to that.”
He walked away, and I noticed Uncle Igor studying my every movement. Being the center of his attention was not a comfortable thing. He looked like he enjoyed murdering things. After checking out his castle, I bet he’d killed a lot in here.
And what was up with the woman and child in that room? Or the guy chained up on the wall?
I didn’t know if Kaz understood the type of person I was. If that guy chained up on the wall didn’t do anything wrong, I would cut those chains. If the kid and mother were being drugged or abused, I would kill Igor.
In fact, I would not be sitting in my room and waiting for someone to bring me fancy clothes. We would only be here for a day.
I had to move.
Adjust.
Discover.
And kill, if necessary.
Which smiling faces held lies behind those sweet lips? Who were Kaz’s friends? And who the hell were the foes?
Four
Maxwell
They separated us.
Em was to the left of my room. X was on the right.
After Em’s Russian spoke to her, they didn’t take our phones or say anything else, but it was clear we were not to do anything outside of our designated four walls.
He thinks Em is going to stay put? This might not be Chinatown at all. We’ll have to call it Prague.
I chuckled to myself as the door closed behind me. Shadows loomed over the room. A little sunlight peeked in from dark curtains, but I could barely see. My guard hadn’t even waited for me to get inside before shutting the door.
I turned on the light.
A surprise hit me.
Valentina sat on my bed with her legs crossed.
Bad news for sure.
On the flight, she’d flirted, and I pretended to be exhausted and asleep. Dangerous men always had dangerous women around them. Many bad guys had a bad sister right next to them, just as murderous and even more deadly.
With a man like Kazimir, I had no doubt Valentina knew her way around a gun and a dead body.