Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“We need to go,” Knight mutters, drawing my attention to him.
I turn my head to Savvas, his features drawn with grief and worry, then he asks, “Can I get a hug?”
Oh God.
I nod and quickly close the distance between us. When he wraps me up in a bear hug, a sob almost escapes, but I keep it imprisoned behind clenched teeth.
“I’m so sorry about what happened, Cassia,” he groans.
“Me too,” I whisper before pulling back. My eyes lock with his. “We’ll get through this.”
He only nods and watches as I climb into the passenger seat.
When Knight starts the engine, I glance out the side window at Savvas, who watches as we drive away.
My thoughts turn to Michail and his pointless death, and anger swirls in my chest. With Tobias in the backseat, I keep quiet. I’ll deal with Knight once we’re alone.
Chapter 20
KNIGHT
The drive to the address where my contacts will meet us is long and fucking quiet.
I’m cautious of the guy in the back and overly aware of the anger radiating from Cassia.
I stand by what I did. The moment Michail touched her weapon, he sealed his fate. It was a stupid move on his part that cost him his life.
Also, I didn’t like the way he spoke to Cassia.
She can be angry with me all she wants. I won’t apologize for keeping her safe.
My grip tightens on the steering wheel, my eyes constantly sweeping over the road ahead. My body is tense, and I’m on high alert for any sudden attacks.
The silence becomes unbearable until Tobias asks, “Where are we going?”
“One of my houses,” I mutter.
Cassia’s voice brims with anger as she asks, “How long will it take for everyone to meet us there?”
“Two days.”
The silence returns, making the air so thick it agitates me.
By the time I pull up to the house that looks like a breeze can blow it over, I’m annoyed as fuck and itching to kill someone.
“This is your house?” Cassia asks as her eyes scan over the property.
I nod before climbing out of the SUV. I grab my duffle back from the back and walk to the porch.
Unlocking the front door, I shove it open. Dust motes fly in the air as I drop my duffle bag on the worn-out couch.
I hear Cassia and Tobias enter the house, then she asks, “When were you last home?”
“I don’t have a home,” I mutter as I walk into the kitchen, where a pack of twelve bottled water stands along with a few tins of food.
I have emergency rations in all four houses. One is in Houston, and the others are in Spain and Melbourne. Not even Santiago knows about those three.
“Where do you live?” she asks.
I don’t bother answering her as I grab a bottle of water. I drink half before gesturing for Cassia and Tobias to help themselves to a bottle each.
Only Tobias grabs water before heading back into the living room.
I move closer to Cassia and hold my half-full bottle out to her, ordering, “Drink.”
She takes it from me and swallows some down before saying, “We need to talk. In private.”
Yeah, we do.
I tip my head in the direction of the doorway. “Do you trust him?”
She nods.
When I walk out of the kitchen, I can hear Cassia behind me. I level Tobias with a look of warning. “Stay in the living room.”
He nods.
I grab my duffle bag and head to the only bedroom. Stepping inside, I wait for Cassia to enter before I shut the door.
I drop the duffle bag on the floor, sending dust motes into the air again as I cross my arms over my chest.
I lock eyes with her, and for a long moment, we only stare at each other before the words tremble over her lips from pure anger.
“You killed one of the few people I could trust. Michail was like a father to me.”
I don’t give a shit who the man was. “He threatened you.”
“You can’t just kill my people without me giving the order,” she insists.
My temper flares up because I’m getting tired of repeating myself. “I can, and I will.”
“How am I supposed to trust you if you can fly off the handle at the drop of a hat?” She snaps, her tone rising.
“I was in total control when I pulled the trigger,” I defend myself. “Trust me, you’ll know when I fly off the handle.”
“Jesus, Lincoln!” she cries, her features drawn tight while twin flames burn on her cheeks. “I can’t work like this. If you can’t obey my orders, then we’ll have to part ways.”
I shake my head hard. “Not happening.”
“Which part?”
“All of it.” I lower my arms and take a step closer to her. “I don’t take orders from you and will do whatever I have to to ensure you stay alive.” I take another step closer. “And I will never let you go.” I lean into her, my tone murderous as I hiss, “You’ll have to kill me to get rid of me.”