Page 81 of Skin Deep

“And you thought escorting me out under the pretense of executing me and my boyfriend was the best way to do it?” War stormed up to his father.

A flutter of pride went through me at being called War’s boyfriend in front of so many men, but I stuffed it down. This wasn’t the time or place.

“It was the only way,” Aleksi said, coming to join Nikita. He held out the stolen cigarettes, offering one to Nikita. “Simeon wants you dead. Making him think you are bought us a few hours.”

“But a few hours is all we have,” Nikita agreed. “He’ll realize Aleksi’s betrayed him soon. It isn’t safe for you here anymore. You need to come down to Liar’s Corner where everyone’s gathering. Stay there until this has played out.”

“I can fight,” War insisted.

Nikita shook his head. “This isn’t your fight.”

I finally left where I was standing and walked over on shaky legs to stand with War. “I want Sergei.”

Nikita smoked his cigarette, eying me in thought. “Sergei has gone to ground. Probably in that safehouse I asked you to find.”

“Shit.” I looked at War.

“If you can find him, then he’s yours,” Nikita promised. “But I can’t give you any more men to get information out of. That route is too dangerous now. You’ll have to find another way.”

“I know someone we can hire,” War said and took my hand. “If anyone can find him, it’ll be Boone.”

Aleksi gestured to War with his lit cigarette. “Are you sure about this? You don’t have to do anything more. You could sit the rest of this out. No one would blame you. You’ve done enough.”

Nikita nodded. “There’s no reason for you to be in harm’s way going forward.”

War’s hand tightened around mine and I already knew his answer. “Hunting the ripper was my job,” War said. “I want to see it through. Pax deserves that kill more than anyone. It’s personal for him.”

Nikita grunted and adjusted his suit jacket. “Keep me apprised of the situation. Aleksi will take you two down to Liar’s Corner. I’ll call Tatty to let her know everything’s gone to plan. The rest of you, clean up this mess.”

“Wait, she knew?” War shook his head.

Aleksi gave a crooked smile and rubbed the scab on his lip. “She gave a convincing performance, eh?”

“I’m sure you deserved it,” Nikita said, patting his shoulder.

At that, Aleksi laughed. “Oh yes.” After Nikita wandered away to bark some orders at the others, he turned to us, putting his gun back in the holster. “So, are you ready to go?”

“Give us a minute?” I said.

He shrugged. “I’ll be at the van.”

“War…” I turned to him, but didn’t get the chance to get anything else out before his lips were on mine. I closed an arm around his waist and pulled him against me, parting his lips with my tongue. Every kiss with War was amazing, but that one? It made me feel alive. The shock of everything that’d happened over the last hour faded, replaced by the warmth of him, the taste of him. He was all that mattered, and he was alive and with me. Together, we’d live to fight another day.

“I thought I was going to lose you,” he panted when we parted.

“I’m right here.” I held his face in my hands. “I’m not going anywhere, War. I meant what I said. I love you.”

He swallowed and blushed, staring at his fingers spread over my chest. “I um… Oh, hell. You know I love you too.”

I grinned widely. “Of course you do. What’s not to love?”

He looked up at me, eyes softening. “I’m sorry about all this. I never meant to pull you into my mess.”

I shook my head and kissed him again. “I’m here because I want to be. You didn’t pull me into anything. If I recall, you even tried to talk me out of it. Several times.”

A small smile touched his lips. “I did.”

“But you won’t get rid of me that easily,” I told him.

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