“Your Roman might not, but my Nikolai does.”
“Fuck you,” I shout at Ben. “If it wasn’t for me, you’d been dead ten years ago.”
Everly and Ben look at me with wide-eyed stares. Clearly, they were playing. Clearly, I do need a break.
Suddenly, Ben starts laughing. “You’re jealous.”
Hell, yes, I’m jealous. “Of you—hardly.” I load the clip with more bullets until it is full.
“If you don’t want me to practice with him, I won’t,” Everly says softly. I know she’s trying to diffuse the situation, but all I want to do is beat the hell out of Ben.
“You asked to be taught,” I say tightly.
I clench my jaw as she lays her hand on my sleeve. “Please don’t be that way.”
“I’m not being any way.”
“Someone needs a nap,” Ben says in a sing-songy voice.
This time, Everly smacks him in the shoulder. “Be nice. He saved me from an explosion this morning.”
“I don’t need you to defend me.”
Hurt clouds her eyes, and I want to snatch the words from the air. “I know.”
Pissed at myself more than anything, I stride out of the room, tossing over my shoulder, “Have her done in time to get ready for tonight’s charity event.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE CONFESSION
Everly descends the stairs, and my heart stops. She’s a vision my eyes don’t deserve. The black dress clings to her like an intimate embrace¸ filling my head with erotic images of our last time together. Her hair flows over her shoulders and down her back in loose curls.
She smiles at me, confident, yet a bit shy. Honestly, I’m surprised she’s smiling at all with the way I’d behaved this afternoon.
“You look beautiful,” I say, holding my hand out to her. She takes it and joins me. I brush my lips over her knuckles, wishing I had jewelry to give her. “I can’t imagine there will be anyone at this event that could rival you.”
Pursing her lips a little, she raises a brow. “Putting it on a little thick to make up for earlier?”
“Am I that transparent?”
“Now you are.” With a smile, she fiddles with my bow tie.
“Earlier, I was not myself,” I admit.
“No, you were every man that’s ever been grumpy, hungry, and tired all at the same time,” she replies playfully. Standing on her toes, she bites my earlobe. “And very, very jealous.”
Automatically, I turn my head to give her better access. “Tell me how I can make it up to you.”
“Good God. Would the two of you behave like adults?” Ben says as he walks into the foyer. We break apart, like illicit lovers caught in the spotlight. “You can kiss and make babies after the charity event.”
“Do you forgive me?” I ask her, gazing into her eyes.
She smiles and kisses me softly, paying Ben’s fake groans of outrage no mind. “Yes.”
Turning, I pick up the folded silk from a nearby table. “I know it’s not jewels, but I thought you would like to wear this shawl to the party tonight.”
“It’s beautiful,” she breathes as I drape it around her bare shoulders. She touches the gold-threaded. “But when did you have time to buy it?”
I rub the back of my neck. “While I was working out some issues, I ran into town.” Literally ran into the nearest town, as in on foot.
“Isn’t this special,” Ben says, stepping between us and tucking Everly’s hand into the crook of his elbow. “So very special and dear that I just can’t wait to hear every single detail in the car.”
Everly casts an amused glance over her shoulder. But while I allow him to run his mouth, I will not allow him to escort my woman.
Grabbing Ben’s shoulder, I squeeze. “Perhaps Everly should walk with me. I should hate if she tripped and you got your arse kicked.” Winking at Everly, I take her from Ben and put her where she belongs.
Right by my side.
***
The charity event is in full swing by the time we arrive. Millionaires, billionaires, oil moguls, Hollywood elite, and politicians mingle with local entrepreneurs.
“Is he here?” I murmur to Ben, taking a glass of champagne from a server’s tray as he passes by and handing it to Everly.
“My sources say that he is.”
“As did mine, but things have changed.”
“Sebastian is notoriously punctual. Or is that annoyingly punctual?”
“Holy crap,” Everly says, excited. She downs her drink in one gulp and nearly does a dance. “Ian Romanov is here. Do you think Zoe is, too? I totally want her autograph. Can we deviate from the plan so I can fangirl over her?”
I look across the room, finding the man who Everly has mistaken for another. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but that is not the movie star. It’s his twin.”
She pouts a little, adorably so. Then her face grows serious. “His family—their family is rumored to be in the mafia.” Her eyes widen, the black liner making them seem impossibly huge. And innocent. “Y’all are related, aren’t you?”
“We are.”
“Cousin? Uncle?”
“Grandfather,” Ben supplies with a snort. Discreetly as possible, I step on his shoe and put all my weight on it. “Son of a bitch.”
“I believe you had some reconnaissance to do.”
“Not if my toe’s broken. Damn it, Kolya, grow a sense of humor,” he growls, limping away.
With a slight smile, I turn my attention back to the woman beside me. “Sebastian and Christian are my halfbrothers. Only a handful of people, not including them, are aware of this. They both think me to be their cousin, the son of Vladimir’s middle brother.”
Understanding dawns. “Your own dad wants to kill you?”
“So it seems.”
“Then why are we here, instead of kicking his butt?” She sticks out her leg and lifts the hem of her already short dress. “I’m packing heat. Ben gave me a leg holster and a smaller gun.”
My blood thirsty, sexy little American. I think I’ll keep you. “Because there is a hit on his son as well, and I need to warn him.”
“Who do you need to warn him away from?” she asks, her breasts rising and falling rapidly. She’s nervous, excited, and afraid. “Can’t Ben send him an email, and we can go home? To kiss and make babies... or whatever.”
“Remember what I told you about my policy of only killing the bad guys?”
She nods.
“I am the one who has been sent to kill him, yet he is entirely innocent. A bit shady in his dealings, but a blight on mankind—hardly.”
“Can’t you just say no?”
“I did.”
“Why didn’t the financier call it off? Why are we here instead of... instead of... oh God, it’s because of me, isn’t it?”
Silently, I nod. She laces her hand in mine, her fingers in a death grip. Her eyes scan the room over and over, like she’s expecting a man with a gun to jump out at us at any moment.
“Everly, we must warn Sebastian. Tonight. Time is running out, and I have no idea if another person has been contacted. Ben is currently in Sebastian’s hotel room, hacking into his laptop for more information.”
“What are you waiting for?” She sets down her empty glass and fluffs her hair. “Introduce me to your cousin.”
Weaving our way through the packed ballroom of the hotel, we finally arrive where Sebastian is sitting. Alone, nursing a drink. Odd considering his reputation with women.
He stares out the open French doors, obviously deep in thought. Everly clears her throat and he turns his pale eyes on us. “Can I help—oh it’s you. What have I done this time?” he asks, completely unsurprised to see me.
“You haven’t met me, that’s what,” Everly says brightly.
Sebastian sits up a little, leaning forward slightly. “You would be correct.” He stands and takes Everly’s hand. “Are you my present for tonight?”
“Uh...no. Sorry.” Everly smiles,
looks up at me for help and then slowly pulls her hand out of his. “I’m his present.”
His gaze rakes over her. He is very interested in my Everly. “How much?”
“Pardon?” Does he really think she’s an escort?
“How much? I’m happy to compensate her for her time.” He tilts his head to one side. “Is the accent real or affected?”
“Everything on me is real,” Everly snaps.
He laughs. “God, you will do for tonight. Perhaps for longer since I can’t have her.”
“You can’t have me either.” Everly turns her nose up into the air.
Undeterred, Sebastian reaches out and gently grabs a thick lock of hair. “The color’s wrong, but in the dark...” He shakes his head. “What am I thinking? No one could ever be her. No one could ever be daisy.”
He’s mooning over a damn flower? Just as I am about to break every bone in his hand, Everly smacks it away. “Can I shoot him? I don’t have the same policy as you.”
Forcing down a laugh, I shake my head. “Not this time.”
He sways slightly. “You’ve been sent to kill me? Can I call Daisy first? I need to tell her I’m in love. Me, Sebastian and not, Jules. The bastard.”
Jesus, he’s drunk, and over a woman named Daisy. I’ve seen the signs of desperation in myself. “No, but you can come with us. There are some things I have to discuss with you.”
“I’d rather you get it over with and kill me.”
I take him by the arm, forcing him to follow along. “Then it’s a good thing I don’t give a shit about what you’d rather happen.”
Ben meets us in the parking lot of the hotel, his limp coming back as soon as he spots us. “You owe me, Romanov.”
“Get it line,” Sebastian slurs. “Benji.”
Everly opens the door. “Get in the car.”
He briefly touches her cheek. “I hope Nikolai killed the man who did this to you.” It is strange to think that even in his drunken state, Sebastian knows I would avenge her. Stranger still for him to assume I did not put my hands on her. The times Sebastian and his brother have visited... they were not under the best of circumstances. Their visits were always for Vladimir to humiliate them in front of everyone. I never quite understood why he did that.
Then again, can anyone ever understand the mind of a madman?
“He did.”
“Good.” He nearly falls inside Ben’s car. “Drive me to Holland Springs, please. I need to see some cupcakes about a woman.”
“Not quite what I remember about him,” Ben says, sliding into the driver’s seat.
I put Everly in the front and sit in the back with Sebastian, in case he decides to get personal with her again, and she decides to shoot him.
“His attitude has actually improved since the last time,” I say, pushing his head off of my shoulder. “Move your arse over, Romanov. Let’s take him to your place, Benji, shall we?”
“The dungeon’s quite nice this time of year,” he says cheerfully.
“Take us to Hotel Majestic,” Everly says. “He can stay in our room.”
“Not as much fun, but I can live with that,” Ben says, and heads for the heart of the city. “You wouldn’t happen to have handcuffs or a ball gag, would you?”
“No, he likes to use the, uh... never mind.” Everly waves a hand in front of her face. “Can you turn on the air?”
Ben grins at her. “Not until you tell us what Nikolai likes to use.”
“Just drive,” I bark, and then glance at Sebastian. “What are you looking at?”
“Good help is so hard to find,” he says solemnly.
For once, I agree with him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE CONFESSION
The door to my room is cracked open slightly. Gun drawn, I motion for Everly to step back. Benjamin rolls his eyes and Sebastian, slightly sober and completely back to his usual self, crosses his arms over his chest and puts on a bored face.
“I have one, too,” Everly whispers, reaching under her dress and pulling out a small gun. “You like?”
“Very much.” Confident that she can mostly take care of herself, I ease the door open, pushing my gun through.
“Put the gun down, Nikolai, and come inside,” I hear my grandfather say. “I’ve been waiting for you to get back.”
“Grandfather?” I whisper as the door opens.
A bodyguard steps forward and holds out his hand. I shake my head. “It stays with me.” However, in deference to my grandfather, I holster my gun.
Dmitri Romanov stands in the center of the room, his bright blue eyes missing nothing as the rest of my entourage follows me inside. A second bodyguard closes the door behind us. Immediately, I grab Everly by the arm and put her behind me.
A smile plays on Grandfather’s lips when he sees this. He waves us over. “Come now. Let me meet the woman responsible for saving my grandson.”
Everly’s hand laces with mine, her palm damp as we cross the room.
“Nice to meet you,” she says quietly. “I’m Everly Andrews.”
My grandfather gives her a bear hug, lifting her off the floor. “You are welcome to my home anytime, Everly Andrews. Anytime. I owe you much for saving my Nikolai.”
Her face is nearly squashed against his chest as she says, “You’re welcome. I’d love to visit sometime when people aren’t trying to kill us.”
“That’s her way of saying it’ll be a cold day in hell before she comes back here.” Ben laughs in the background. My hand itches to smack him. I hear a slap and then Ben shouts, “What the hell?”
“You sounded ridiculous, Benji,” Sebastian drawls.
Guess I’m not the only one who thinks Benji needs to be taught a lesson every now and then.
“Would you stop with the nickname?”
“Only if you stop with the one liners.”
“Can’t handle any more than that?”
Grandfather puts Everly down and eyes the two men behind me as they argue. “Enough,” he says, and they go completely silent.
Everly takes the opportunity to run back to my side. Yes, she’s confident. Yes, she’s armed, but she’s not stupid. Benjamin moves closer to us as well, stepping just ahead of Everly. He is protecting her, I realize.
“While I appreciate this reunion, I have a flight to Morocco to catch.”
Grandfather steps back, revealing the man behind him. He levels Vladimir with a ferocious scowl. “You will stay as long as I require.”
Vladimir sits down, crossing his leg at the ankle while attempting to look bored. “Very well.”
“Benjamin, please share what you’ve learned,” Grandfather asks pleasantly, sitting in a club chair by the fire. A bodyguard hands him a cup of tea. “Thank you, Adam.”
“Your suspicions were right.”
Grandfather turns his gaze on his son. “What do you have to say for yourself, Vladimir?”
My father looks at me—briefly—then begins to speak, “I had to make sure Sebastian remained safe. Viktor attempted to help with that, after I explained the situation, and when that failed due to his paranoia over the organization toppling, I used Nikolai’s own staff against him. Like any other father, I did what was best for my son.”
I am your son, you asshole. My muscles gather, my body screams at me to rip him apart. To make him regret ever throwing me away.
Everly chooses that exact moment to wrap her arms around me from behind, leaning her head on me. “It’s okay,” she whispers. “We’ll make it through tonight. I promise.”
I love you. I don’t deserve you, but I can’t help but love you. The words will never leave my mouth. Never get past the guards that control every thought in my brain.
“You have more than one son. And you could have come to me instead,” Grandfather replies. “Besides, you know Nikolai’s reputation. He would have never killed Sebastian.”
“He was willing to kill me,” Vladimir suddenly shouts. He jumps up from the sofa and marches over to me. I
unwrap Everly’s arms, completely prepared to fight him. “You were willing to kill me, because I am a threat to you. You want to rule in my place.”
“Rule what—an empire with two masters? You cannot live in the shadow of the sun.” My jaw clenches. “I have never asked you for anything. Never demanded that you acknowledge me, or my rightful place.”
His face pales a little, his eyes going to Sebastian. “This is ridiculous.” He rounds on Grandfather. “Do you not hear the lies? Do you not see the deceptions that have been played out, right under your nose? Meanwhile, there is a contract on my son’s life, and this piece of shit will be paid to see it through.”
“That won’t happen,” Grandfather says.
“Perhaps not by him, but someone will take on the contract.”
“I can guarantee you that will not happen.”
“Father, you are a god, but only in your country.”
Grandfather’s eyes darken. “You fool. I was the one put out the hit. I was the one to demand that Nikolai be the one contracted.”
The entire room seems to freeze. I stare at my grandfather in shock.
“Why?” This from Sebastian. He looks ready to puke, not that I blame him. It’s not everyday, you find out that your grandfather wants to murder you.
“For two reasons. One, because your father needs to be taught a lesson. He has not been honoring contracts, insulting the very people who made him an extremely rich man. Two, because I knew my grandson would not kill an innocent. Unlike some, he has honor.”
“Jesus,” Sebastian swears. He looks at Vladimir. “Damn your pride. Damn everything about you.” He throws his hands into the air. “I can’t be in the same room as you anymore.”
“Let me explain, Bastian.”
“No,” he chokes out. “You don’t get to do anything, but stew in the fact that had my cousin been any other kind of man, I would be dead. If that even matters to you.” He whirls around, throwing the door open and storming out of the room.
Grandfather stops his bodyguards from going after him with a hand. “Let him go. Now, he sees his father for what he truly is, he can choose a different path.”
The Confession Page 5