Page 99 of Falling for the Enemy

“I respect that you’re trying to protect me.”

I truly wish the kingpin hadn’t sent Benito to work the ports as punishment for following Jade, something he confessed to doing in his spare time when they spoke before we all departed the hospital.

Though I don’t need it, having his in-person support, or Javier’s for that matter, would be a welcome change from the pushback I’m currently receiving.

“But the decision isn’t yours to make,” I continue, before shifting my attention from Casper to the man who owns my heart. “Or yours for that matter.”

Alejandro disagrees.

That becomes abundantly clear when he stands abruptly and rounds the table, then backs me against the nearest wall. From my peripheral, I see Casper stand, ready to intervene if needed, but wisely staying put.

Strong arms caging me in, he pins me in place, his stomach pressed to my chest. “I won’t allow you to do this.”

I grit my teeth, our locked gazes each warring for dominance. “Again, the choice isn’t yours.”

His reply is immediate. “The fuck it isn’t.”

Knowing that it’s best to calm the fire that grows inside of him rather than inflame it by slinging fuel-laced words his way, I twine my arms around his neck, the tips of my nails finding his nape.

His eyes nearly close when I trail them along his tanned skin, leaving only a sliver of his cinnamon-colored irises visible. A gentle touch. Sometimes that’s all it takes to subdue the devil.

“Since his last escape, we’ve tried to find Stefano many different ways.” My voice is soft as I draw an invisible heart on his flesh. “Each has failed, and with each passing moment, he grows more dangerous, Krasavchik.”

I slide my palms around his throat and down to his chest, where they stay. “What happened with Jade is only the start. If we don’t act quickly and decisively, then we may lose the very people we’re fighting to protect.”

I can’t allow that to happen.

Alejandro’s hands fall from the wall and land on my hips, his desperation-fueled grasp bruising. “The pendejo is cornered, Hermosa.” The fact is one I already know. “His territory is gone, his faction destroyed, and all of his sons killed. He has nothing left to lose.” He drops his forehead to mine. “For him, all bets are off.”

“That’s why we must strike now.”

“Baby—”

“Did you forget that we vowed to stand at one another’s sides?” Temper beginning to get the best of me, I drop my hands from his chest. “I understand you don’t wish to put me in more danger than necessary, but this is the life that you and I lead. Nothing has changed. It’s just business.”

His love hasn’t lessened my ruthlessness.

If anything, it’s given it a sharper edge.

“And your refusal to join me will neither change nor stop my plans.” Extracting myself from his hold, I step to the side. “Nyet, I’ll just simply do it all myself.”

Needing fresh air before I explode, the tumultuous emotions whirling within my chest quickly stealing my ability to both remain calm and reason with him, I head for the foyer.

I don’t make it three steps.

Not before the kingpin’s hand circles my wrist, halting my retreat. “Don’t walk away from me when I’m—”

He snaps his mouth shut when Nikolai storms into the room, his jaw set in a hard line. “We have a problem.” His accent is thicker than normal, a tell-tale sign that he’s pissed. “It’s Sergei’s men. They’re gone from the port.”

What does he mean, they’re gone?

“Explain,” I snap, mind racing.

“When Ivan arrived an hour ago to check over our weapons shipment that arrived last night, he found the docks empty.”

A sinking feeling settles in the pit of my belly, followed by an unfurling of anger. There’s only one reason Sergei would recall his men without speaking to Casper or me first. The betraying mudak has been bought and paid for.

And I know exactly by whom.

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