Page 27 of Assassin's Game
“We haven’t offered you a deal,” Levi pointed out. “You know what you need to know. Take it or leave it.”
Mikaela’s gaze sought mine too briefly; then she shrugged. “Fine.” Turning on her heel, she headed for the door.
“You walked in that door for a reason, Mikaela,” I told her back. She stopped with her hand on the door handle, Rhys and Montgomery flanking her, their eyes on me. Both men tensed when I stepped closer. “You need help. My guess is, X is threatening you just like he’s threatening us.” I could give her that. They wouldn’t have come to us if that puzzle piece was still a mystery.
Levi stepped up to me, protest in the tight lines of his body. My hand stopped him.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” she murmured without turning around. “What are you proposing?”
“We work together,” I said. It was as simple and complex as that.
She turned then, looked to her teammates. A silent conversation passed between the three of them.
“Eight heads are better than three,” I coaxed. “Or five.” Especially if one of those heads could hack as well as I could.
Mikaela’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know there are five of us?”
I chuckled. “Besides the fact that we have eyes on your SUV?” I waved toward the bank of computers at the other end of the bat cave. “Because you’d never leave your sister behind alone. I figure Valet Boy pulled guard duty.”
Maris Nixon was likely trained well enough to hold her own in a fight; these guys would make sure of it. But she hadn’t been with them in the restaurant, nor here. It was a guess, but it seemed obvious that Mikaela was protective of the woman who was a decade younger than her.
And Maris wasn’t the only one a decade younger than Mikaela. I was too. Instead of turning me off, the fact that this woman had plenty of experience—in fighting and life—had me itching for a battle. In the ring or in bed, or both, although I might need a cup either way if the look she was giving me right now was any indication.
I moved into her space, absorbing her warmth as I lowered my voice. “We can help each other, Mikaela. You know it. We’re not the enemy here.”
She shook her head. “Wedon’t know that.”
“You don’t always have to be in control, you know.” And I didn’t just mean in the field.
“Is that right, pretty boy?” she scoffed.
“You both heard her,” I threw over my shoulder to my brothers, a little louder now. “She said I was pretty.”
“And ridiculous,” Rhys growled. “Nix—”
“You came to us for a reason,” I said again. “Give us the chance to prove your instincts were right. What have you got to lose besides X?”
She opened those sweet pink lips—probably to deny me—but hesitated. Diesel brushed against my thigh as he came to stand beside me, and her gaze drifted to him, to the hand I automatically tangled in his fur. She stared for a moment, considering every aspect of my proposal, I knew.
Then she nodded.
“Nix.” Montgomery’s tone held warning.
Mikaela shook her head. “One day, Monty.” Then to me, “One day. That’s all—for now.”
“Works for me.” I clapped my hands together. “How about we go get the rest of your team?”
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Chapter Thirteen
Nix —
I was not noticing how good his ass looked in his tight black fatigues. Or the way the hot summer breeze ruffled his dark blond hair. The way his fingers, thick and strong, constantly sought out the big black dog that never strayed far from his side.
Definitely not noticing all that. At all.
And yes, I was rolling my eyes at myself.
