Page 30 of Bound in the Dark

"You try to have your Brothers disarm me now so you cantalk senseinto me when you get back."

He winced, since that was exactly what he had been thinking of doing. She was an impressive woman who had apparently thought this through.

"What would you do then?"

She chuckled and backed him against a wall. They were now shielded from view. It took a moment for Highdive to realize she had maneuvered them so that to everyone else it looked like they were having an intimate moment. She leaned in and whispered into his ear.

"I'll let you in on the biggest difference between soldiers and assassins. Soldiers are trained to hesitate before killing. By the time they determined I was a threat several people would be dead and I'd already be out the door. Nadya would have climbed out the window like instructed. I give myself a 70% chance of getting away without anything more than minor injuries."

His mind spun trying to adapt to the new reality that he found himself in. Was she really as dangerous as everyone claimed? And was he willing to risk it to keep her away from possible danger?

"You'd kill someone for trying to keep you safe?" He was both horrified and fascinated by her words.

Diana didn't flinch. Resolve was in every inch of her body when she said, "There are less than a handful of people I would hesitate to kill when it comes to my freedom or the safety of my niece." She sighed. "I don't need someone to protect me, Highdive. I care for you more than I thought possible, but I will never let someone hold me prisoner again for any reason. Please don't make me choose between hurting the people you care for and doing what I know is necessary."

"Who is this contact that is so important?" Highdive growled. He had little choice but to let her go but it was a bitter pill to swallow.

She reached up and cupped his cheek. The chemistry between them flared like a heatwave and it took all his willpower not to kiss her. It was messed up and unhealthy but even with the threats and anger he was still drawn to this woman.

"I can't tell you." Diana smiled and a small amount of warmth returned to her eyes. "It's safer for both of us if you don't know."

Highdive couldn't help but chuckle. How many times had he said those words to people? He didn't like being on the other end of the conversation. He leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers.

Though every cell in his body protested, he knew there was no way to make her stay now and not lose her in the long term. They had so much to work out between them but time and circumstances meant those discussions had to wait. He inhaled trying to memorize her scent.

"Stay safe, Diana. We have a lot to discuss when you get back."

Chapter10

Tell your father that hovering is something that should only be done by helicopters.

How dare he try and stop her from going to this meeting?

Diana gripped the steering wheel breathing deeply. Highdive was just lucky she understood the fragile egos that men had or she would have demonstrated just how much she didn't need his protection. From day one she had made it very clear to Highdive that she would not give up control outside of the bedroom.

Did he respect that? No! Instead, the very first time they were together outside of the club he tried to assert hismanly alphanessand stop her from doing what was necessary. She wouldn't try to tell him how to do his job. Why couldn't he have given her the same respect?

A small rustle of movement from the floor in her back seat had her rolling her eyes. Now wasn't the time to be distracted. She needed to text someone that Nadya was safe with her before people panicked.

Who should she let know about her unexpected passenger? She had contact numbers for several people in the club. Settling on the one least likely to piss her off she fired off a quick message.

Diana:This is Diana. Don't know if the men have noticed but my niece is no longer on property.

Val:That girl is going to be in more trouble than a lobster in a steel pot. Yes, they've noticed. I reckon she's with you?

Diana:Yes. I'll keep her safe and bring her back later.

Ignoring the multitude of texts that soon scrolled across her screen, she locked the phone, and focused on driving. If her phone hadn't been on silent her niece would have been tipped off that something was up. As it was Diana was insulted that the girl thought a blanket was enough to hide her curled up on the floor.

She had considered sending her back immediately before leaving the compound but had changed her mind when she saw only one sniper on the roof. The girl would be safe with her. Once this mission was over a lesson in stealth and concealment was obviously needed. For now the girl could stay ignorant of her failure hiding in the very uncomfortable small space on the floor.

The back roads of Colorado were deserted and lit only by the night sky. Diana had no trouble finding the location of her meeting since she had been there several times before. Over the last few years it felt like the Denver area was a second home to her place in NYC. Watching the Dark Sons had only been the most recent of the many jobs she'd done in this beautiful state.

The wooded area screened a small ridge that was also a convenient sniper perch near one of the Mafia's favorite drop points. She had acted as a silent guardian for many exchanges over the years. Not that Tomasso or any of his men knew that. Donavan Minetti, his father, liked to have extra insurance over his son's safety.

She thought it was cute. Hiring an assassin to watch over your heir. Like a criminal version of a helicopter parent.

The overprotective dad himself stood next to a black BMW as if stargazing into the quiet night. Two of his men sat in the front of the car and didn't look like they were happy about it.

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