Page 24 of Caged

“I need to know where you were though.” He removes the heat of his hand from my back and points at the TV. “The faster I can find him, the sooner you’ll be safe.”

And, the sooner I can hopefully talk him into revealing the diamonds.

“There.” I point at the last place I know Knox was at. A warehouse near the outskirts, far from the Strip.

“Perfect. I’ll make sure someone checks on you.” He stands, taking the map off of the screen.

“Wait, you’re leaving?” I let a frantic sound crack my voice.

“Just for a little while. I have to set the ball in motion. There’s food in the refrigerator.” His heavy accent rolls the ‘R’ before he leaves.

Well, shit.

TEN

NIKOLAI

Mikhail is in his suite when I get to his casino.

He’s usually in his office, but I catch him working out early.

“Are you sure she’s reliable?” He grunts out a leg press rep and lets the weights clang as they land.

I’ve gotten past the irritation of him wearing his balaclava even when it’s just us.

Years have worn away the novelty.

“I think so. Lara said she has a funny feeling there’s more to this woman than meets the eye. But, as for now, her information seems solid. I had Enzo check out the location with his cameras. He said there’s a lot of activity.” How that man can see everywhere all at once is amazing.

I’m glad he’s on our side.

Mikhail’s tattoos ripple over his bare chest as he lies down for the bench press. “Since you’re here, spot me.”

I move near his head. I don’t know why he bothered to ask, I know he can easily lift this and more.

“How many men do you need to start doing sweeps?” He grunts between raising the bowing bar.

“Me?” I can’t shake the scared look on Melissa’s face as I left. She didn’t look comfortable enough for me to be gone for long periods.

Mikhail drops the weights on the stand and sits up, spinning to face me.

“What the fuck? Yes, you. Are you thinking with your dick? We have an edge on our enemy, we can’t wait.” His dark eyes narrow as he looks up at me.

My mind jumps to the feel of her smooth thigh beneath my palm as I was tending to her.

“It isn’t like that. She had the shit beat out of her last night. She’s just scared to be alone.” I shake my head, grab a pair of hand held weights and start doing curls out of habit.

Mikhail glares at me for a long time before laying back down and continuing his routine. “I need your head in this, brother. Jax is just starting to be normal. Alexei is, well, Alexei. I count on you to guide them.” Rivers of veins stick out on his arms as he pushes the bar into the air. “We need to get Knox. He will lead us to Kirill. And then, we will know how our father is reaching us.”

My biceps burn with each flex. It’s a good pain. It takes my mind off the wet shirt clinging to Melissa’s pert nipples last night.

Shit. Maybe the fear in her eyes isn’t the only thing luring me back.

She’s too fragile for me. Sweet and innocent. I shouldn’t even consider ruining her with my world.

Keeping her safe and getting her back to where she belongs is my focus.

Mikhail moves to the pull-up cage and starts hoisting himself up in a rapid succession of chin-ups.

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