I turned to them. “No blood yet.”
The rage increased on their faces.
One stepped forward. “We would like to talk to the shooters with you.”
Emily nodded, but was smart enough not to say anything. No one could know her power over me. If they did, she’d be the next target.
“I’ll take care of the shooter.” I gestured to Em. “Take my associate back to her room and keep her protected. She’s important to me.”
The men nodded and walked toward her.
She raised her hands and edged back. “I don’t need to be taken anywhere.”
I glared at her. It wasn’t what I’d wanted, but she couldn’t be around when I tortured the shooter. There was pain in my chest. My uncle might die. Many men had lost their lives tonight and she’d come close to being one of them.
“We’ll talk later, mysh.”
She kept that neutral mask on her face. “I’ll stick with the original plan and have Max take me to Luka.”
She didn’t say anything else, but fury pulsed from her. She kept that expression neutral and limped away in a dutiful manner, leaving a tiny trail of pink icing behind her.
She mumbled nothing else, but I knew there would be a conversation between us, one my cock was not willing to have. We wanted to be deep inside of her, forgetting tonight’s events. But she would hold that body against me until I learned not to overrule her again.
I didn’t have to, but I yelled at her. “Stay in your room!”
“Okay.” She glanced over my shoulder and hit me with a fiery gaze. “We can talk later.”
Translation: I am my own person. You will not tell me what to do. Be happy that I didn’t embarrass you in front of your men.
I nodded at the silent meaning she’d sent.
Maybe she’s not a little mouse at all. Perhaps, she’s a goddamn lioness.
She left.
Chuckling came from the right. I turned that way and spotted Maxwell.
“What?” I growled at him.
“Oooooo,” he whispered. “Yooooou’rrrreee in troooouble.”
One of Igor’s men must’ve overheard and grabbed for Maxwell’s arm.
Too fast, Maxwell moved from him and raised his hands. “Hey, I’m going.”
“Wait.” I gestured at him. “Hold on. Give him and me a minute.”
They left Maxwell and me inside the room.
We stared at each other.
“What is Emily to you?” I asked.
Maxwell shrugged. “I thought we already had this conversation in New York.”
“You talk like siblings and then sometimes like lovers.”
“You’re talking like you’re jealous.”
“You have more confidence with your words to me.”
“Because you know you can’t kill me. Emily would be mad.”
I checked my watch. “I wouldn’t depend on your safety. Accidents always happen.”
“You come for me,” he tapped his chest, “you better make the kill airtight with rational evidence.”
“Good suggestion. Until then, stay close to her and make sure she’s safe.”
“That’s my life.”
“You keep it that way and you’ll be well rewarded.”
“I don’t need money to keep Emily safe. It’s in my DNA. But do you know that we’re a packaged deal?”
“That’s if rational accidents don’t happen.”
“There’s always that.”
“Keep her safe, Maxwell. And stay close.”
“I’ll definitely do that.”
Nine
Emily
I was so mad at Kaz I could punch him in his gorgeous face.
I could’ve died? Well, you could’ve died too! Why the hell do you think I was running after them?
Emotions tornadoed inside of me. Love and pain. Pleasure and grief. Fear and so much more fucking fear. It was the anxiety that made me want to kill someone right in that moment.
But I kept my face low as I limped back, suddenly realizing that somehow, I’d hurt my leg. It must’ve been when I tried to leap over the stupid table. I damn sure wasn’t going to let Kaz or any of his men know about it. While I walked around them, I sucked up the pain. But now that I was far away, I appeared a bit cripple.
Fuck. That was dumb, jumping over the table. Adrenaline is something. It’ll have you leaping over buildings.
“I’m not taking you to Luka,” Max said once we came close to the banquet area.
“Of course not. Let’s go to your room.”
“Your Russian thinks you’re a fucking flower.”
“I am.” I limped forward. “I’m a goddamn delicate rose.”
“A bleeding one.” He pointed at my leg. “Do you want me to pick you up and—”
“I still have a bullet left.” I showed him my gun. “You sure you want to ask me that?”
“Fuck you too, and you don’t have any bullets left. That’s part of the reason why your Russian is so pissed. You looked like a crazy woman tonight.”
“I am a crazy woman.”
“Pretty much. And you were the only woman chasing after anybody with a gun.”
“You know how we do it.” I grinned and then my lip quivered. Sighing, tears spilled from my eyes. “What about X?”
“He’s fine.”
“He’s not.” I rushed to wipe the tears away. “Where was he shot?”
“He’s fine. Don’t do that.” Max opened the door. “Let’s change. I need a drink.”
“Good.” Valentina’s voice sounded from the room, shocking us both. Her clapping came next. “I know a great spot for a perfect drink.”
I walked in behind Max.
What is she doing here? Is this night going to end?
Valentina didn’t wear a gown anymore. She looked like she was going to a nightclub—tight black dress, high heels, hair done up in a perfect style. I didn’t know when she changed or arrived, but she had time to do it.
Max looked at me.
I raised my eyebrows.
Valentina interrupted our silent exchange. “Remember, Maxwell? I promised that I would show you my Prague.”
“I just figured you would be busy,” Max said.
She looked shocked. “Busy doing what?”
“Checking on your uncle.” Max shrugged.
“What happened?” She turned to me and rose from the bed. “That dress is destroyed. Is Kazimir okay?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Then, you can tell me what happened on the way. If Kazimir is fine, then everything is okay.” She checked her watch. “We’ve got five minutes before your guards will be back. I would hurry. In fact, just change in the car.”
“The car?” I held my hands out. “Where are we going?”
She smirked. “The Harlem Crew always has questions.”
“Hold up for a minute, Valentina.” Max gestured for me to go in the bathroom. “Em and I need to talk.”
Valentina’s smile left her face. “So secretive.”
Yeah. We need to talk, and somebody may need to carry me in a few minutes.