Page 53 of Scorpion

There was another outfit waiting for me on my bed once I got to my room. This time, it’s a crimson lehenga with intricate gold beading and a cream bikini blouse. It’s paired with a matching filigree necklace, earrings, and bangles. All my tattoos are on show again, only this time I have full range of upper body movement, and I can wear a pair of shorts underneath.

After almost eight months working here, Mathijs has finally understood that I prefer form over fashion—though it’ll be difficult to run or climb anything in this skirt.

Swallowing a sigh, I slip into my coat and then head downstairs where Mathijs is talking to Sergei beside a golf cart.

My stomach twists that they both know what my kryptonite is, and we’ve resorted to carting around like children. I’ve tried getting over it countless times over the past month to no avail. Instead, I’ve managed to recognize exactly what my triggers are, which means that limos and sports cars are still on the agenda—it’s a very expensive coping mechanism.

Mathijs rakes his gaze over me with enough heat that I might as well be naked. He’s the most stunning man I’ve ever met, inside and out. Every time I’m around him, I feel seen in a way that I struggle to describe. He’s stuck around despite seeing all my bad parts, and I’ve come to realize that it’s not something I ever want to lose. Wherever he goes, I’m going to follow. There’s no doubt about it in my mind.

He needs me just as much as I need him. I see it now.

Excitement flashes in his eyes. “Ready, Lieverd?”

I scoff nervously. “Are you?”

“Absolutely fucking not.”

Oh great.

I give him a rueful smile while Sergei climbs behind the wheel of the cart. “It sounds like you might be catching a cold,” I say, giving him a pathetic excuse to get out of tonight. “I’d hate for you to pass it around to your buddies.”

“If only the flu would kill some of them,” Mathijs mutters, then holds me hostage with his stare, silently communicating that the choice is still in my hands.

My throat bobs. “I understand the implications and I want to go.”

Lie. I’m not sure I’m fully aware of what I’m signing up for. But I know that whatever it is, it means that I’m committing myself to this type of life.

He holds out his hand, and I take it without a hesitation. The mindless gesture has him smiling from ear to ear as if we aren’t about to walk into hell, and he’s just a kid getting to hold his crush’s hand. He helps me into the cart like the gentleman he is. Then Sergei starts the little engine before speeding through the property to get to the hangar.

“Chances are that Goldchild knows about tonight. He could see it as an opening to attack our factories. I want double patrols and all hands on deck. Put the men who are meant to travel with us on watch duty at the compound—including you, Sergei,” Mathijs says.

Excuse me?

The head of security and I both jerk toward Mathijs.

“That’ll leave you exposed,” I argue.

Sergei grunts in agreement.

“I’ll have you there,” Mathijs says to me.

“As a guest.” I motion to my clothes. “I’m hardly dressed for a fight, and you told me that no weapons are allowed.”

His eyes drop to the backpack containing the sniper that I brought with me. “There will be security on site, and I need Sergei here if things go south. Goldchild wouldn’t be stupid enough to attack the event.”

I grind my teeth, and I swear the Russian does the same, saying, “We can spare two men to fly with you.”

“Two men, or you won’t make it on the helicopter in one piece,” I threaten. None of us have seen the layout of the perimeter or have complete information on the level of security at this place. There are simply too many risks and moving variables that are worse with the lack of information.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” He smirks. “When you say it like that, I don’t have a choice but to agree.”

Sergei grabs his phone and fires off orders to whoever is on the other line. I jolt in my seat when Mathijs’s hand lands on my knee. His only explanation for the move is a wink. Warmth spreads through my touch-starved body, and I fix my gaze forward since we have an audience. He’s gradually becoming bolder with his touches, and it drives me absolutely wild because I just want him to hold me and smother me with affection, but I can’t find it in me to ask.

Once we arrive at the hangar, Mathijs takes the seat in the cockpit, and an actual pilot sits beside him to play copilot. The discussion regarding security measures and strategy doesn’t end when we’re in the helicopter and no longer on land. The two men sent with us are senior enough that they actually bring something useful to the conversation we’re having. But they mainly stay silent while Mathijs and I talk about Goldchild.

Goldchild is getting restless, which means he’s becoming more ruthless in his approach. This morning, he took out one of our washers. We thought the plan might have been to take out the boss and swallow Mathijs’s operation, but it’s become clear that the plan is to burn the whole organization to the ground with everyone inside.

All cards are off the table now, and we all have free rein on Goldchild’s men, or as Mathijs calls them: target practice.

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