Page 39 of Beautiful Trauma
“It took you long enough,” Dima grumbled.
Ignoring him, I silently put my clothes back on. Once I was dressed, I dug the devices out of my purse before making my way over to the desk. I then slid the chips into the USB drives on the computer and the laptop. I didn’t begin to understand how they worked. I left that to our IT teams.
As soon as I was finished, I dug Kellan’s phone out of his dress pants on the floor. After repeating the process that I did with the computers, I eased the phone back into the pocket.
“Are the devices running?” I asked in a hushed voice.
“Yes. Now get the fuck out of there.”
“Gladly.”
After quickly sliding my heels on, I snatched up my purse. When I got to the door, I threw one fleeting look over my shoulder at Kellan’s sleeping form.
Anguish ricocheted through my chest at the thought of what he was going to think of me when he woke up. Although it shouldn’t have mattered, I couldn’t bear the thought of him thinking badly of me. Regardless of the lies I told myself, it wasn’t just sex.
It could’ve been so much more.
But it would never have a chance.
After peeking my head out of the office door, I thankfully found the hallway empty. “Am I clear for the rear exit?”
“No. There are two bouncers smoking cigarettes. Most of the other exits are armed. Go through the main exit.”
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath.
Tucking my head to my chest, I then made my way to the dance floor. Quickly, I lost myself in the teeming crowd. As soon as I rushed out the entrance, I exhaled the breath I’d been holding.
Instead of breaking into a run and calling attention to myself, I power-walked down the pavement. With every step, the ache in my chest grew more and more intense. It wasn’t just the regret on Kellan’s face flashing before me.
It was my mother’s as well.
Each and every time I felt I’d lost myself to Bratva, her face would appear before me. Although I know she would understand, I couldn’t help feeling cloaked in her disappointment. The feeling of letting her down sent tears pricking against the back of my eyelids.
When the SUV came into view, I drew my shoulders back and slid my mask into place. There was no way in hell I would let my brothers see any weakness in me.
Aleks hung his head out the window and whistled. “Look at that Walk of Shame!”
“Fuck you,” I muttered.
He flashed his pearly whites at me as I got into the backseat. “Damn girl, from the looks of it, Kavanaugh gives good dick.”
“Shut up,” Dima and I both said.
Aleks snorted at our mutual reaction before closing the door behind me. I’d barely gotten the chance to buckle my seatbelt before the SUV peeled out of the parking space.
Glancing over my shoulder, I eyed Anton, who was sprawled out on the third row bench. “How is he doing?” I asked.
“The same,” Dima replied curtly.
With a roll of my eyes, I chose to ignore him and his obvious disapproval of what I’d done with Kellan. To his credit, Aleks didn’t have any more commentary. The rest of the car ride to the airport was quiet and tense.
After we parked in the hangar, two bodyguards helped get Anton out of the backseat. Although he remained unconscious, he moaned as his head turned from side to side. Once they had him inside the jet, the three of us started up the jet’s steps.
When I got into the cabin, I was desperate to shed Mya’s persona. Since the wig was sewn in, there was no way I was getting rid of it tonight without potentially cutting my hair, but I could ditch the contacts and the dress. More than anything, I wanted a steaming hot shower.
When I started for the bathroom, Dima grabbed my arm. “Do we need to discuss your disregard for the plan?”
I pinned Dima with a hard stare. “My sex life is none of your business.”
