Page 67 of Cruel Love

Again, Luka’s gaze flicks over to me. Finding even one agent nowadays is considered a great blessing, but three?

“Go,” I tell him. “It’s important.”

“No.” He gestures at Markov. “Have them taken to the warehouse. Dispose of them quickly.”

“Luka, they could be questioned.”

“Gio is more important, lyubov’ moya.”

I stand still, feeling his sharp tone travel down my spine.

Markov nods. “I’ll take care of it myself,” he says.

“Thank you, Markov,” Luka says.

Markov turns around, flashing the briefest glance at Nina before disappearing into the hallway. Her face shows nothing, and Yuri and Luka continue on as if nothing happened but that soft twinkle in her eye hides everything.

And here I thought I was good at keeping secrets.

I still have much to learn from Nina Lutrova.

Chapter 19

Archer

London. Long time no see, old friend.

Not that I missed it. The bad memories here outweigh the good ones by a steady margin. And yet, I still feel a prickle of excitement as I stare out the window of the airport terminal.

It’s the first time I’ve seen it with her.

I’ve seen where Lilah Hart grew up. I’ve seen how her history shaped her into the woman she is today. When I saw her standing at the end of the dock by the lake, I understood her better. Knowing that piece of her made me love her even more.

Now, she gets to experience a little piece of my past as well, even if it’s just a view from the airport during a few hours of layover.

Lilah appears beside me and scoffs loudly as she stares out the window. “Jeez, what a dump,” she says.

I laugh.

She leans in to brush her face against my shoulder. It’s a quick show of affection that warms my heart. Either that or she had an itch. It’s hard to say with Lilah Hart.

“Have you ever been?” I ask her.

“To London?” she asks. I nod. “Yeah, of course. Killed a guy here last summer.”

“I don’t mean for work,” I say, smirking. “I mean for play.”

“There’s a difference?”

I glare at her playfully and she smiles.

“No,” she answers. “I haven’t really done the tourist thing in London.”

“We should come back here someday. Just the two of us. See a show. Go to the aquarium.”

She shrugs. “If you want.”

I keep my eyes on her, letting my mind roam a little too wild. “I do.”

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