Page 17 of Saint

“Yeah, that would be nice. Make sure the clothes are warm—coats, gloves and sweaters.”

“Text me Mia’s size and I’ll have the girls put a bag together for her. Everything you need will be waiting on the plane with Pyro. If things get too dangerous, you get the hell out of there.”

“I will.”

“How’s she doing, anyway?”

Saint’s attention slid over to Mia who was watching and listening closely, her pert ass propped against the counter. “Secure…and clueless.”

Her lips parted and she sent him a daggered glare. “I am not clueless.”

His mouth edged up in a smirk. “First-class pain in the ass, too.”

“Oh, like you’re such a joy?” she fired back.

Brax sighed heavily, clearly not amused. “Stay alert and in touch. I want constant updates. I’m talking fucking hourly.”

“Roger.” He disconnected the call and shoved his phone in his back pocket. “We’re leaving.”

“What’s going on?” Mia asked.

“We’re going to Russia.”

He had no desire to spend more time than necessary there, but returning to Russia could help the team get the answers they needed. Granted the last time he’d been there, he’d wound up getting tortured in Anton Petrov’s dungeon. Again. Luckily, Dash Slater’s team and a couple of former Navy SEALs had swooped in to save the day, but Saint still had the souvenirs from the experience etched across his skin. Definitely something to be avoided this time around.

“Russia?” she squeaked. “Why?”

“Because that’s where your dear old dad is, and we’re all going to sit down and have a nice chat.Ponimat'?”

“What?” Her brow wrinkled.

“Ponimat'.It means ‘understand’.”

“No!” She jumped up and coffee spilled over the edge of the mug. “Idon’tunderstand! Whatever problem you have with my father has nothing to do with me. I want nothing to do with this or you. Nik, Saint, whoever the hell you are, I want to go home!”

“That’s too damn bad because you’re going to Russia,” he coolly informed her. “And you’re going to help me bring that asshole you call your father down whether you like it or not. Because guess what, Mia? You’re the bait and I intend to catch a rat.”

Emotion flashed across her face. “You’re an—”

“Asshole,” he finished with a cruel smirk. “Better get used to it, Goldilocks.”

She lifted her middle finger. “Ponimat'?”

If Saint weren’t so annoyed, he would’ve laughed at her audacity. Yeah, he understood alright. “Put your claws away,kotyonok.We have a flight to catch.”

Mia glared at him. “Did you just call me a cat?”

“Nope. A kitten.”

“Just so you know,” she hissed, marching over to him, “I will scratch your eyes out.”

This time he threw his head back and laughed. Because, damn, she was the most feisty, most infuriating and definitely most adorable woman he’d ever met.

Chapter Six

Never in a million years did Mia think participating in the bar’s Sip & Spark would result in her on a jet bound for Russia, accompanied by Mr. Dangerous. A shiver ran through her and she looked over at Nik, who was rummaging through a bag of gear. He’d told her his team had provided them with the duffel bags and she’d quickly inspected hers, surprised to see it held sweaters, pants, boots, a coat and all the essentials she might need from socks to shower gel to tampons. Clearly, a woman had packed it.

Who was this man? Who was his team? And what had her father done to make them go after him? Unease pricked down her spine with sharp pins of doubt. She wouldn’t want Nik—or, whatever the hell his name was—as an enemy.

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