As soon as the door opens and Yuri walks in, I run over to him. He grabs my wrist as we head for the stairs, but I’m too nervous and excited to keep still. I run up the stairs ahead of him, and I’ve managed to make it about ten steps down the hallway when a man’s voice stops me in my tracks.
“Sir, that area is off limits.”
I turn to face Yuri, realizing that the man didn’t see me. He’s only seen Yuri. I meet his eyes. We know what needs to be done. He gives me a slight nod, even though we both know Mikhail is going to be super pissed about the change in plans. We don’t have a choice, though. He can’t get caught sneaking up the stairs twice.
“Sorry about that,” Yuri says with an easy grin, turning to face the man. “I was looking for the restroom.”
“They’re down here, sir,” the man says, and he doesn’t seem suspicious, just slightly irritated like he’s had to recite this same speech more than once tonight.
What the fuck is happening?
“Change of plans,” I whisper as I race down the hall to the mayor’s office.
No, Charlie. You get your ass back to Yuri. You can sneak up there later.
“I’m already inside,” I say, slipping into the office and very softly shutting the door behind me.
Mikhail’s so angry, he’s speechless. He really hates not being in control. I push aside the thought of how sore my ass is going to be and instead take out the device Jinx gave us. A lamp on his desk is on, giving me enough light to make my way across his large office without running into anything. His laptop is open and waiting for me. I slip the small device into the USB port.
“It’s in,” I whisper, hoping that getting the info will help calm Mikhail down.
It’s in,he growls to someone else, and soon he comes back withJinx is on it. He said to keep it plugged in. I’m not happy about this, Charlie. It’s too risky.
“It’ll be fine,” I whisper, shifting from foot to foot, feeling like my heart is going to burst from nerves. Every second feels like ten minutes, and I’m just about to unplug and run, hoping Jinx has enough info when I hear voices right outside the door.
“Mikhail,” I whisper.
What’s wrong?
The fear in his voice is like ice-cold water being spilled down my back. “Someone’s outside the door.”
Hide, Charlie. I’m coming in.
“No, you can’t!” I look around, trying to find some damn place to hide, but the doorknob starts to turn, and my only option is to drop and crawl under his desk. I wrap my arms around my legs, hugging them to my chest, trying to be as small as possible.
Yuri get your fucking ass up there now!
“I’m on my way. Just hold tight, Charlie. I’ll be there in just a minute.”
I squeeze my eyes shut as several men walk into the room, and just when I think things can’t possibly get any worse, I hear them start to speak Italian.
Motherfuck!Mikhail yells, and I can hear car doors slamming as he prepares to storm the mayor’s mansion.Don’t move, Charlie. We’re on our way. Just be quiet and stay where you are. I’ll be there to get you in just a few minutes.
I can’t respond to him, but his words make me feel a thousand times better. Hope stirs inside me, and I’ve just about convinced myself that everything will be okay when one of the men walks over and squats down, looking directly at me.
“Well what do we have here?” he says in a thick Italian accent.
I stare at the man who’s eyeing me with the coldest eyes I’ve ever seen as Mikhail curses in my ear and tells me to just hang on a little bit longer. I thought Mikhail had a dead stare when I first met him, but I was wrong. He has an intimidating, scary stare at times, but he never came off as inhuman. This man is empty, and it’s the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen. He grabs my arm and roughly jerks me out from under the desk.
“Who are you?” His brown eyes run over me. He’s older, probably in his mid-fifties, and he’s kept himself in good shape. No way am I getting out of his hold. My eyes dart to the other men, and my heart sinks when I see five very large men standing around in suits, looking at me like they can’t wait to see what I have to say.
“I just got lost and then panicked when I heard voices,” I say with a shaky laugh. “I didn’t want to get into trouble.”
Good girl, Charlie, just play dumb, baby.
The man tightens his grip on me hard enough to make me gasp.
Is he hurting you?