Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 68192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Before I could work up the courage to say so, Alina said, “I got access to Ivanov’s cameras, and I killed Dimitri for you. I should be part of the debrief.”
Remington’s eyes widened as he stared at Alina. “You really are a lot of trouble.”
“A lot of help too.”
He made an overly dramatic sigh, then motioned for us to follow him. We entered a bright sunroom with huge windows on three sides. Dante was sitting on the couch with Rafe on one side of him, Lorenzo on the other.
“Tell him he’s supposed to stay in bed,” Lorenzo demanded.
Remington smiled. “I am not here to be a nurse, but I don’t think sitting on a couch is going to kill him at this point.”
“If he pulls out his stitches—”
Dante held up his good hand. “I am not laying in that bed for one more minute. We are going to sit right here, and you’re going to tell me everything that happened.”
“Let’s all have a seat,” Remington said.
I sat on another sofa with Alina. I didn’t want to ask Lorenzo to leave his brother’s side, but I was nervous facing Remington without being next to him. After everything I had been through, I shouldn’t be. I knew that for the most part, he was on my side.
“Do we have any word on Ivanov?” Lorenzo asked.
Remington shook his head. “The fucker is still evading us, but we will get him. He hasn’t got any protection except that which he can hire himself. The Koslovs have managed to cut off access to most of his accounts, so he’s going to have trouble funding himself in hiding.” He focused on Alina. “Do you have any idea where he would go?”
“No. The only places he regularly travels are Las Vegas and Miami. There’s nowhere else I can think of that he’s stayed for an extended time, but he wouldn’t mention any secret hideouts in front of me.”
“Do you think he’s left the country?” Lorenzo asked.
“That is what I would do if I were him,” Remington said. “But obviously, he and I don’t think the same way.”
Alina huffed. “I hope not.”
“We have got people watching—good people. If he turns up on anyone’s radar, we will send someone or go in ourselves.”
“I want it to be me,” Alina said.
“I understand, but eliminating the threat is the most important thing.”
She blew out a breath and nodded. “I know.”
I reached over and took her hand. Lorenzo’s gaze went straight to where our intertwined fingers lay on her thigh. I rolled my eyes at him. No way was he jealous of her.
“Lorenzo, do you have a problem?” Remington asked.
“No. Well, yes. A lot of them. Ivanov being on the loose is the main one. But I also need you to know that Niko is staying here with me.”
I froze. Was now really the time to bring this up?
It was Alina’s turn to squeeze my hand in comfort. My heart was beating so hard I could feel my pulse in my ears.
Remington glared at Lorenzo. “You think you can make this decision on your own, after I told you what the plan was?”
“You said Niko would start over somewhere once Dimitri and Ivanov were eliminated. Ivanov is out there somewhere. Niko is staying with me.”
“And when we catch Ivanov—”
“If.”
“We are going to get the man. He is going to fuck up. His twisted needs will see to that eventually. Once Ivanov is eliminated, we’ll have another discussion.”
“Lorenzo—”
Without even thinking, without fear holding me back, I said, “I don’t want to leave. I should be part of this conversation.”
“And you should get a say in this, why?”
Lorenzo spoke before I could. “Because I am in love with him, and he is mine.”
Remington’s eyes widened, and he looked at me, noting Lorenzo’s watch still on my arm. “And you? You feel the same way?”
“Yes. I don’t ever want to leave Lorenzo.”
Remington sighed. “Why does love keep derailing our plans?”
“You got together with Henri before any of the rest of us found someone,” Lorenzo said.
“Yes, but that is—”
“It is no different.”
Remington huffed.
Alina spoke next. “I want to stay too, and I want to help with the search for my father.”
“You would be a lot safer if we sent you somewhere else.”
“If my father can find me here, he can find me anywhere. I can help you. I have proven that today.”
“Don’t you want to have some kind of regular life?” Lorenzo asked.
Alina shook her head. “What I want is revenge. Once I get that, I want to go to college and get a degree in computer science. After that… I don’t know. I have money hidden away. Probably not enough, but I’ll see.”
Lorenzo gave a pointed look at Remington. He sighed. “We have plenty of money. We’ll help you pay for school if you help us with your computer skills.”