Karolena’s hands and feet went numb and her ability to speak vanished. “Me? What do the Shields want with me? I’m sorry I lied. I had to. Don’t you understand?”
“Not at all. We’d really appreciate it if you’d tell us yourself what’s going on rather than having to hear it from our colleagues.” Legend seemed far calmer than Tavish. Or maybe it was their proximity that allowed her to take in every clench of his jaw and the betrayal in his very green eyes.
He didn’t threaten her, but she sensed an ultimatum in his question. She could come clean, or she could lose his faith. It was probably for the best. They’d proven to her in just one romp, that they were far more of a threat to her than Vladimir had ever been.
Because after that taste, she might already be addicted to them. But if they truly didn’t know the whole story, then they likely weren’t working for her ex and maybe…just maybe…they could help.
“I’m only doing this once.” She yanked against his hold.
To her surprise, Tavish released her. So she reached behind her to fasten her bra, then retrieved and slipped into her shoes. In under ten seconds, she was ready to destroy the tenuous link they’d begun to forge.
When she returned to the doorway, Legend and Tavish flanked her. This time they seemed more like prison guards than bodyguards.
After they heard what she had to say for herself, would they be friends or foes?
And how could she fight back if they were no longer on her side?
Damn it.
Her past was going to haunt her forever, no matter how far or how fast she ran.
8
Tavish checked his phone in case Legend had sent him a message he didn’t want to communicate out loud. Instead he saw a group text to both of them from Ruby.
I know who she is. Get down here. Now. Bring her with you.
Damn it. That meant Karolena was someone. Not just an insignificant woman lying on her resume for reasons like having gotten fired from her previous job after being late too often or some other petty shit.
Fuck!
He had so badly wanted Karolena to be uninvolved in their world of subterfuge and darkness. Inexperienced not only in cleaning or good sex but also in the horrors the Shields had witnessed from a level of humanity so low that regular people never even knew it existed, never mind attempted to exterminate it.
They’d seen the worst of the worst.
And Ruby’s text meant Karolena was part of it.
He glanced at her in his peripheral vision as he and Legend marched her into the elevator, but she never lifted her dazed stare from the floor. She knew she was busted as surely as he did. Again, not a good sign.
At least they’d gotten to fuck before the illusion was shattered. His dick wouldn’t be able to get it up for her if she turned out to be a mole, someone who’d attempted to strike at his newfound family. He’d lived through that once and would send her to their basement before he’d let her harm a single person at Shields.
It didn’t matter how deeply she’d rocked him when she’d shattered around him minutes earlier or how convincing she’d been when she’d sworn she hadn’t been sent there by an enemy.
Tavish breathed through flared nostrils as he tried not to assume the worst. Forced himself not to compare her to the traitor who’d stolen his heart and his better judgment last time. When his relatives had paid for his lapse and he’d sworn never to be so stupid again.
Usually Legend kept him from indulging his impulsive nature. This time, they’d both felt the pull to Karolena. Could that have been intentional? Could the attraction have been calculated?
If so, she was the best actress he’d ever seen, A-list stars included.
As they sank toward the ground floor, Legend glowered at their reflections, not very subtly assessing Tavish’s mental state. Tavish met his partner’s gaze, hoping the other man got thePiss off!vibes he was shooting in Legend’s direction. He was fine. He would do his job no matter what Ruby had found out about their sham maid.
Karolena surprised Tavish by leading the way out of the elevator, her spine straighter than the mop handle she’d clutched so tightly earlier. She’d been legitimately afraid they’d ax her for her fuck-up. Why did she really want to be there so badly?
It certainly wasn’t to clean their damn floors. Who had put her in their paths?
Legend extended his arm and held his hand, palm up, gesturing for her to enter the conference room where the rest of the team was already assembled.
The gathering was hushed, kind of a miracle since the team was usually shooting the shit, joking around, and talking smack before a briefing and the start of another high-stakes adventure. They weren’t used to having a saboteur in their midst. Not here at home.