by Amy Deason
“I mean, there are so many good things out there. Pizza, hamburgers, tacos, steak, and you people choose to eat rabbit food? Incredible,” Nikolas remarked, shaking his head.
“You people?” she retorted. “You make us sound like aliens or something.”
“Well it’s out of this world to eat nothing but lettuce and tofu.”
“We don’t only eat lettuce and tofu. There are lots of things to eat that don’t include animal flesh.”
“Great. If I ever want a lesson on the evils of eating a cheeseburger, I’ll know just the person to come to. Now, what about cereal? Or is that too low-class for you?” he sneered. This girl was a pain in his ass and she hadn’t been with him for more than a couple of hours.
Glaring at him, her eyes like flaming blue orbs, Cadence spoke through clenched teeth. “Cereal is fine.”
Grabbing a box of corn cereal and a bowl from the cabinet, he set them on the counter. “So,” he began as he poured the cereal flakes into the bowl, “why did you decide to become a vegetarian? Your father certainly wasn’t one.”
“What do you know about my dad?” Accusation laced her voice, creating a sharp edge.
He shrugged carelessly. “I know all about your father. Well, except for one thing.” Turning, he reached into the refrigerator and withdrew the milk. Dumping a healthy splash to the cereal, he added a spoon to the bowl and carried it over to the table.
“Which is?”
“You first.”
Cadence tilted her head. “Me first, what?”
“Why did you decide to become a vegetarian?”
“Oh. Well I watched this video . . .”
He rolled his eyes heavenward. “Let me guess, it showed animals being slaughter for their meat right?” Jesus, this girl was not only unlucky as fuck but she a bleeding heart too. What a combination.
“It was just so sad and terrible,” she finished with a shudder.
“They’re just animals.”
A shot of anger lit up her eyes. “Just animals?”
“Yeah, just animals.”
“Every life matters, even those that aren’t ours,” she replied softly.
Nikolas stared at her incredulously. The depth of emotion in her words ran deep. This was no amateurish act. This is who she was.
Holy shit.
“So you’re telling me you never crave a cheeseburger. Or a corn dog?”
“Sometimes but . . . Never mind. I answered your question so answer mine. What one thing don’t you know about my dad?”
Throwing the rest of his sandwich together, Nikolas added a slice of bread topped with strawberry jelly onto his plate and returned to the table. Cadence was leaning forward expectantly, her lips parted, her eyes wide. She was even holding her breath.
“What don’t you know about my dad?” Cadence asked, feeling her temper rise at his hesitation.
Nikolas handed the fruit covered bread to her, watching her carefully. It was time to get some real information. “Where he hid his completed formula.”
Picking up her spoon, Cadence dipped into the cereal and lifting it to her lips, took a small bite, tasting it cautiously.
“Well princess, is it up to your standards?”
Pausing, the spoon held between the bowl and her mouth, Cadence frowned. “I told you. I. Am. Not. A. Princess. And I’m not spoiled or selfish no matter what you might think.”
“We’ll see.”
Cadence rolled her eyes. “Listen, I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about and I don’t know anything about his completed formula or why he would hide it.” Reaching for the jam-coated bread, she nibbled at it.
“Come on, Cadence,” Nikolas said. “You mean to tell me that you knew absolutely nothing of your dad’s research? Seriously?” He took a bite of his butterbrot, chewing as he waited for her answer.
Swallowing the bread, she glanced up at him. “It’s the truth. Dad’s research was way over my head. There’s no way I could ever hope to understand it. I know music, not physics. I mean, I knew he was getting close to some kind of breakthrough but I don’t know what it was.” Picking up her spoon, she took another bite of cereal.
“How did you know? Did he tell you?”
Curtains of dark hair swayed as she shook her head. “No but he started getting more excited you know? He started staying at work later and later every night.” She ate another spoonful of cereal before continuing. “Sometimes I wouldn’t see him until the next morning before I left for school. And then, he got the call about the physics convention,” she finished, gnawing at her lip.
There was that lip biting thing again and boy, did she have incredible lips. Nikolas forced himself to look away from her mouth. “Listen, Cadence, those men who killed your father? For whatever reason, they think you have his formula or know where it is. And they won’t stop until they get it. So if you know anything, you need to tell me. I’m the only thing keeping you out of their reach.”
“But that’s just it. I don’t know anything!” She threw her spoon down. It bounced off the tabletop with a dull clang before falling to the floor.
He sat for a moment, watching the play of emotions darting across her face. She was lying. She had to be. Why else would she come all the way to Russia? “If you don’t know anything, then why are you here?”
“I came to find my dad,” Cadence yelled. “I thought maybe if I could retrace his steps, then maybe I could find him. I know it was stupid but I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing.”
Yes, stupid, stupid girl.
“Did it ever occur to you that you might be walking into a trap? That you could be killed trying to carry out this hair-brained scheme?”
“I didn’t care. I still don’t. It’s my dad, don’t you see that?” she shouted, emotion ripping through her voice. “He was all I had left.”
Nikolas noted the unshed tears in her eyes and tried to imagine how she felt. He couldn’t. He hadn’t felt anything for anyone in such a long time.
“Cadence, you don’t get it, do you?” he continued slowly. “These men that are looking for you will kill you. Whether you have what they want or not. You’re a liability to them and you’ll be dead as soon as they catch you. I am the only person that can help you right now. And if you want to stay alive, then you are going to have to start trusting me.”
Watery blue eyes stared back at him, indecision reflecting in their depths. He could see her struggling. No doubt she had been warned about confessing anything to anyone. But he wasn’t just anyone. He was the man trying to save her life. And millions of others. He hoped she would make the right choice because if not he would make things very difficult for her.
“I was going to Valaam Island next,” she whispered.
“Why Valaam?”
Cadence took a shaky breath and let it out again. “Because that’s the last place he was when I heard from him.” She dropped her eyes to her hands, twisting her fingers nervously.
Valaam? Was it possible Phillip had hidden his formula on the island before coming back to St. Petersburg? But why? It made no sense.
“Cadence, I need you to listen to me. This is important. What exactly did your father say to you while he was there?”
With a deep sigh, she said, “He said he had a bad feeling. Like something wasn’t right.” She paused, flicking her eyes away before returning them to his. “He thought someone might be following him,” she whispered.
It made sense. Nikolas nodded in agreement. “He was probably right. If Dmitry set this trip up for your father, then he would definitely have him followed.”
“But I don’t understand. How would he be able to do that? My dad was always very careful about anything involving his research.”
“Obviously he wasn’t careful enough. Dmi
try is a very determined man and he will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Even kill for it. Now, did your father say what he was doing at Valaam?”
Cadence dropped her gaze back to the table and shook her head. “No.”
Nikolas sat back in his chair, his mind racing. There were no definite answers, only half-formed possibilities. Possibilities that could sink this mission. But failure had never been an option for him. So it seemed the island was his next stop. Their next stop, he amended. He was not letting her out of his sight until he was sure he didn’t need her anymore. Hell, he needed her now. In his bed, completely naked . . .
Stop it!
She was part of a mission. Nothing else. And until he got through to his dick, he wasn’t going to touch her again.
We’ll see . . .
Gritting his teeth, he dragged his mind back to where it needed to be. Obviously they couldn’t move yet. It was almost daylight and Dmitry’s men were on high alert. No one knew about this place so they should be safe here for a while and besides, Cadence needed to rest.
Because once they started moving, they had to move fast.
As much as he would like to believe Cadence would cooperate and go to sleep easily, he didn’t dare risk it. She was no coward and was not afraid to fight. As much as he admired her spirit, if she decided to balk now, it would be a real problem. Better to make sure she went along with him on this.
“Listen, I’m really sorry about your father. I know you were hoping to find him. And I know there is nothing I can say to make this better but, Cadence, I want to stop the men who did this. But I have to get to your father’s formula before they do. If I don’t, a lot of innocent people are going to be hurt.”
Staring at her bowed head, Nikolas was not surprised at her subdued silence. If he were in her shoes, he doubted he would say much either. But something nagged at him. Why wasn’t she crying? With everything he’d heaped on her, she should have been bawling by now. It was strange, baffling, and he didn’t like it. She must be holding something back.
Rising from the table, he went over to the sink and filled a glass with tap water. With his back to her, he reached into his pocket and removed a tiny cellophane baggie. Normally, he wouldn’t have this on him but being unaware of her state of mind, he’d grabbed it at the last minute before heading to The Chamber.
He quickly added the powdered sedative to Cadence’s water. It dissolved in seconds. He hated to do this to her but it would force her to get the rest she needed whether she wanted it or not. Returning to the table with the drug-laced water, he sat, pushing the glass toward her, careful not to touch her hand.
Without looking his way, she reached for the water and took a long, slow drink.
The sedative was not only quick dissolving but fast-acting as well. She would be out within minutes. Maybe he should get her into the bedroom.
Now there’s a thought . . .
He noticed a spot of strawberry jelly on the corner of her mouth and had the strongest urge to lick it off. Grimacing, he stood.
“What are you doing?” Cadence asked.
“You need sleep.”
“I’m not tired,” she murmured, the words slurring as they tumbled from her lush mouth. Yawning, Cadence stretched her arms over her head and reached for the low-slung ceiling.
Her breasts strained against the thin cotton T-shirt, making his mouth go dry. The disturbing lust returned, echoing through his body. It crossed his mind that he could drop everything and do something about it. If he wanted to. And, oh boy, did he want to. But he wouldn’t. At least not right now.
“Yeah I can see that,” he replied sarcastically. “But we’re not moving until tonight so you might as well get some rest now while you have a chance.”
“Moving? Where?” She tilted her face up at him.
Her blue eyes were beginning to glaze over. If he didn’t get her somewhere to lay down fast, her head would be hitting the table.
“Valaam.” His eyes refused to move from the reddish smear on her mouth. “Cadence?” he whispered, stepping closer to her.
“What?” she asked thickly.
“You have a little something on your mouth.”
She tried to raise her hand to wipe it away but the effort must have been too much for her because she let it drop back to her side.
Leaning in, Nikolas gently cupped her face in the palms of his hands. Muted lust flared deep within those sapphire depths and her mouth trembled in expectation. She turned her face slightly and he felt those plump lips open and brush lightly over the skin of his palm, sending a shiver through him.
Oh how he wanted to taste those lips again.
Nikolas lowered his face, his mouth nearly grazing hers.
Just one more kiss was all he needed.
Ever so lightly, he ran the edge of his thumb over the corner of her lips, wiping the strawberry smear away. Her eyes closed at his touch and then she was gone.
Thank God . . .
Picking her up, he held her close and carried her to the far bedroom. As he walked down the hall, he tried to ignore the way her body’s curves pressed themselves comfortably against his chest eliciting another bright flare of desire he was totally unprepared for.
What the fuck was happening to him?
Struggling with himself, he laid her down carefully and pulled the covers over her body.
Leaning in, he inhaled the fresh scent of her skin. Another mistake.
The small indulgence only awakened a need, a hunger in him he had not felt in a long time. Strong and deep, it was something he didn’t want to feel. Jerking upright, he turned, nearly running from the room.
In the kitchen, he flung the refrigerator door open and reached in, pulling out a soda. Popping the tab, he put the can to his lips, downing half of it in one swallow. The sugary taste helped remove some of the scent of Cadence’s skin from his nose. But not enough. Draining the can, he tossed it into the trash and gripped the counter, the edges digging into his palms.
Dropping his head, he closed his eyes and breathed deeply, trying to purge the lustful thoughts from his mind. It had been so long since he’d actually felt a real, honest to God desire for someone and not just something he commanded his body to feel for a mission.
It was incredible. Like a spark in the darkness, just waiting to ignite. Something huge and powerful lying just below the surface. If only he gave it room to grow . . .
Remember what happened to Jenika, his mind said sharply, slicing through the fog of desire.
Of course. How could he even consider letting himself feel again? It would be stupid. Cadence would probably end up dead and her death would gnaw at him until he went crazy. Best to shut it down now and concentrate on what he was here to do. And getting involved with the girl was not a part of it.
Opening his eyes, he raised his head and crushed any feeling for Cadence into the ground. He was on a mission. He was a professional. And nothing would get in the way of that.
~ ~ ~
Something was burning. The harsh smell of smoke invaded her nostrils and filled her lungs, forcing her to cough violently. Her skin grew hotter as the flames advanced toward her, their fiery tongues whispering wickedly.
Oh God, not again.
Snapping her eyes open, Cadence lurched off the bed and fell face first onto the floor. Jumping to her feet as if she’d been scalded, she raced to the door in a full-blown panic. Her hand was on the knob, preparing to yank it open when she realized she was not surrounded by smoke or flames. There was no fire. But she still felt immense danger all around her. Turning, she surveyed the room, searching for the reason behind this crushing dread. Then she saw him.
Tall and impossibly wide, he stood just across the room, cloaked in the shadows. Nothing more than an ominous shape, he blended into the
darkness extremely well, only his luminous green eyes giving him away. He drifted toward her, moving like a panther intent on taking down a deer. Reaching behind her, the doorknob turned uselessly in her hand. She was trapped and the threat was imminent.
“No, no, please no,” she whispered as the unknown man slid closer. She clenched her eyes shut, not wanting to see what was coming. Whimpering softly, she felt a hand of cold iron clasp down on her wrist.
She screamed.
Cadence jolted awake, shoving herself into a sitting position, her breath hitching in her chest and the unvoiced scream lodged in her throat. Glancing everywhere at once, she could see nothing in the shadowy room. No fire, no smoke, no him. She was alone. Mercifully alone.
Pushing herself back against the wooden headboard, she ran her shaky fingers through her sweat damp hair and closed her eyes. Taking deep, uneven breaths, she struggled to slow her racing heart.
My God, the dream had been so real.
She could still feel the hand on her wrist, squeezing, rubbing the thin bones together. Dropping her eyes, she saw the bruise.
But how?
Then she remembered. She’d dislocated it. That was what caused the bruising, not the unmerciful grip of the man in her nightmare. She probably needed another ice pack.
Or some more frozen peas.
But she wasn’t about to ask the man in the other room for anything. He might kiss her again and she wasn’t sure she could handle it if he did.
It was bad enough her dad had been murdered by crazy Russian thugs but now they were after her. All because they thought she knew where he had hidden some mysterious formula. But she didn’t know. Honest to God, she hadn’t been lying to Nikolas. She didn’t know anything about her dad’s research or where he might have hidden it.
As much as she hated to admit it, Nikolas was the only thing stopping them from getting to her. Providing he was telling her the truth. But how was she to know? For all she knew, this was some sort of insanely twisted ploy to get information from her only to return her back to the behemoth psycho and his demented henchmen. Surely he wouldn’t do that.