Page 50 of Deadly Protector
“That ship has sailed,” he murmured, hating the tension vibrating off her.
“They want to move fast,” Isa said, drawing their attention back to her. Graysen hadn’t said anything yet, but he nodded his agreement.
Fast could mean as early as tonight, but he doubted it. That was too quick for a job Irene would want done right. And while she could be a violent psychopath on occasion, she was smart. She planned things out. They should have a couple days.
Which meant he’d have to be a step ahead of her. “I’ll do the job but I’m going to bring some others in on my end.” If possible. He wasn’t walking into a trap.
“I’m definitely in,” Isa said.
“Me too,” Graysen said. “We’re not letting you handle this alone.”
Zamira shoved out a breath of relief and picked up his hand, squeezed.
“Thank you both,” he said.
They nodded, then after some more talking, he walked them out.
When he stepped back into the kitchen he was surprised when Zamira basically threw herself into his arms, her eyes glistening with tears. Everything he knew about her said she didn’t cry often. He hated the sight of them, wanted to cause Ryba physical pain because he was the root of her pain and tears.
“I hate that you’re in this mess because of me! And I’m not crying,” she added as she buried her face against his chest. “These are expressions of my anger.”
Despite everything, a laugh escaped as he held her close. “This isn’t your fault. It isn’t anyone’s fault. It’s bad luck. And I’m not walking into this thing blind. I have an idea of who we’re going to be targeting. And…I’m good at getting into places I shouldn’t. I won’t be taking any unnecessary risks. It’s not as if Irene wants us to fail. So she’ll do what she has to, to make sure we’re prepared.”
Zamira’s cheeks were wet as she looked up at him. “If anything happens to you…” Her voice trailed off in a whisper.
Dimitri cupped her cheek, wanting to take away all her worry. He liked that she cared so much about him though. He was totally gone for her, no coming back from this now. “Nothing will happen to me. I’ve got a plan.”
He was going to do the job, then afterward he was going to have a sit-down with Irene—with a handful of others. She was never going to bother him again. And if he could pull everything off, she’d end up in jail for the rest of her life and never think of him again. He wouldn’t even be a blip on her radar. But even if he couldn’t send her to jail, he could still get her to back off.
Zamira grabbed his T-shirt and tugged him down to her, her expression a little wild, hungry.
Groaning, he shoved everything else to the back of his brain as he claimed her mouth, then claimed her right on his kitchen floor.
He wasn’t sure when it had happened but he’d completely fallen for her. Zamira had changed everything for him, the way he saw his future—hopefully their future. But with her stress levels already so high he knew he couldn’t say anything to her, couldn’t push her.
He wouldn’t add any more to her plate.
But he would take care of her until this mess was settled. And then he planned to lock her down forever. If he could convince her to take a chance on them.
A real one, not just something based on sex.
Though that was incredible too.
