Page 31 of Sinful Embers

“There are no golden tigers here,” Oleksi tells her, looking at her as if she’s stupid.

Syd gives him a scathing look. "Actually, there is." She turns to Sabrina. “We’ll have to go to the country zoo at night as that’s the only time you can seeOriol.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Oleksi snarls. “Country zoo?’ His eyes narrow. “We’re not here for fucking tour of England.”

Syd nor Sabrina are phased by his outburst. Although something shifts in her eyes and her voice is low with a distinct warning tone. “I don’t remember asking if you were.” She turns to back to Sabrina. “Nikolas said you could vouch for your flight companions.”

“Yes.” Sabrina nods, grinning she points to me. “Saint.” Then to Oleksi. “Jackass.”

Right! Sabrina’s code to ensure we have the right person.I roll my eyes and sigh. I guess you can’t be too careful, and no one would know the crazy shit Sabrina makes up.

“It’s their safe code,” I explain to Oleksi.

“That’s some crazy shit.” Oleksi rubs his temples. My cousin doesn’t travel well.

Sydney’s lips twitch in amusement, and she nods, touching her ear. "Clear."

She looks past us and then at the two small duffle bags I have and the one slung over Oleksi’s shoulder. “Is that all your luggage?”

“Yes, we didn’t have much time to pack,” I reply.

Syd nods. “Where are you phones or any devices such as tablets, laptops, smart watches?”

“Nikolas took them before we left,” Oleksi’s voice is filled with impatience. “Are you wanting to strip search us or can we get the fuck out of this exposed terminal?”

Her eyes are cool as she stares at him for a few seconds then turns toward Sabrina and I. “Come on, I have a car waiting.”

We follow her out of the terminal where’s is nice bright sunny June day. A sleek black Range Rover is parked at the curb. The driver stands waiting for us. He’s stocky and muscular, with a scar bisecting his brow.

“This is Clyde Smythe,” Sydney introduces. “Your driver and additional security.” She turns to him. “These are our guests.”

Clyde gives me a once-over, assessing before his shrewd eyes move to Oleksi. He’s built like a tank, but his movements are sharp, controlled—he is definitely military-trained.

“Pleasure,” he grunts, opening the car door for us.

Oleksi slides in first with a grumbling Sabrina, who makes it clear she hates always being squashed in the middle, and I follow her. Sydney takes the passenger seat, and Clyde pulls out smoothly, merging into London traffic.

“Where about in London are we going?” Sabrina asks.

Her head swiveling from side to side, taking everything in. I nearly forgot this is her first time in England—it’s her first time leaving America—the first stamp in her passport.

“We’re heading to Mayfair,” Sydney says, twisting slightly to glance at Sabrina. “Nikolas has a townhouse there. One of his safe houses.”

Of course he does.The man may have walked away from his inheritance, but he’d still have the hefty salary from his elitejob and probably still had a whopping trust fund enabling him to own property in Mayfair.

A thought strikes me and my brow creases.I wonder if Carlos has a trust fund even if he was disowned?

That could be one of the reasons my leech of an uncle latched onto the man and has kept him around as long as he has. From what I know of my uncle, his friends, lovers, and even fiancé didn’t live long. As Dmitri was cut off without a penny he’d need a cash cow.

We weave through the city, passing rows of immaculate Georgian townhouses. It’s wealth, old money—no different from the kind of power I grew up around in Vegas, but more refined. Less gold chains and diamond watches, more tailored suits and centuries-old estates.

Clyde pulls up to a white stone townhouse, four stories high, with black wrought-iron railings. Sydney leads us inside, punching in a code at the entrance.

The interior is sleek and modern, but with a warmth that surprises me—wood floors, high ceilings, and an open-plan living space with a large marble fireplace. A sleek bar lines the far wall.

Sydney tosses a set of keys on the cabinet beside the door. “Make yourselves comfortable. This is where you’ll be staying until we get more intel.” She nods down the hallway. “The kitchen is down there and is fully stocked as is the bar.” She walks down the hall. “There are rooms upstairs. Take your pick.” Turning into the home office she continues explaining. “Clyde’s on standby if you need him.”

Syd goes to a large painting of horses on the wall and pulls it open, revealing a hidden safe. She retrieves three phones and a black case, bringing them over to the large oak desk.

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