I shook my head. “No, not really. I’d be better off stealing all that cash you keep in the basement, taking some of the guns, and running off.”
She looked up, surprised, and lowered her spoon down. “You found all that?”
“Chika did.”
“Huh. Took me years to stumble on that place. Your lady did it in a night.”
“She’s very good.”
“I wonder what other secrets she found.”
I shrugged as if it didn’t matter—though I wondered the same thing.
“I’m giving Redmond a chance because he said he wants to protect you.”
She laughed at that. “Did he really?”
“He did. Why is that funny?”
“Because of all the bodies buried under this place. Seems like if he wanted to protect me, he would’ve gotten me out of here a long time ago.”
She wasn’t wrong about that, but I didn’t know enough about their situation to argue. “Are you saying I shouldn’t go through with this?”
She considered, but shook her head. “No, I’m not. I think you should. If Redmond says he’ll help, then he’ll do it. I just think it’s funny you’re using me as an excuse.”
I wanted to say more, but the door pushed open. Redmond came in wearing workout clothes. His skin was damp with sweat and he frowned at me, clearly surprised to see me at the table.
“You’re up early.” He ran a hand through his hair and nudged Melanie. “Morning kid.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she grunted. “Another day above ground. What a treat.”
He grinned at me. “How’s breakfast?”
“It’s good.” I stood up. “Let’s go talk.”
He eyed my coffee like he’d rather get a mug for himself first, but acquiesced without a struggle. We moved into the hallway then into a nearby sitting room. He closed the door and faced me while I drifted over to the bookshelf and studied all the ancient leather-bound tomes his family left to rot and collect dust.
“We’re alone,” he said as if I didn’t notice. “What should we talk about? Maybe that kiss?”
I grimaced and tried to keep myself from blushing. “I just wanted to say that I’m accepting your offer. I’m going through with this.”
His eyebrows raised as I faced him, hands on my hips.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. You’re going to kill my enemies for me.”
“And you’re going to marry me when I’m through.”
His smile was like a beacon in the dark. He beamed, genuinely happy, unrestrained.
“Don’t make me regret this.”
But I knew he would. I already did. The way he looked at me sent a shiver down my spine.
I should’ve taken up Chika on her offer. It wasn’t too late to rob them all blind.
That wasn’t my path. Even if it was tempting.
No, my path would be harder, bloodier, and would end in a nightmare.
But it would end, and soon.
Chapter 8
Chika
James paced across the room, tugging at his hair like he might rip it from the root. “And she’s doing it? She’s really going to marry him?”
I watched carefully, leaning back against the wall. He sucked on a cigar, puffing smoke in thick plumes. James was a hard man, careful and intelligent. I worried about him when Erin first brought him into the group. A man like that could be dangerous—and I wanted to be the only dangerous person surrounding Erin Servant.
He proved himself very useful. His mastery of battle tactics and viciousness were both extremely useful. But more than that, he was able to inspire the soldiers to keep fighting and to follow orders, which was a miracle in itself. I couldn’t always lead men, not when I was an outsider in their little warrior culture, not to mention a woman. We needed James, as much as I hated to admit it, though I still had my worries.
For one, where the hell had he come from?
“That’s what she says.” I raised my hands in an innocent gesture. “I tried to talk her out of it.” Which was somewhat true.
I didn’t like Redmond Orchard. He was like all the other Oligarchs—spoiled, selfish, egotistical. He thought that power made him smarter and better than everyone else around him, and I wanted to knock him down several pegs. He reminded me so much of Darren Servant, except he lacked the moral compass.
The man was a bastard. I didn’t want to see him gain a single speck of strength from Maeve’s fallen empire, but he outmaneuvered me, and now I was stuck with him.
“Why would she do this? It’s crazy. You know it’s crazy.” He threw up his hands. We were alone in a small room at the top of our safe house. Erin was staying a few blocks away in a hotel with Redmond and his soldiers. Better to keep her safe, he’d said.
I wanted to slap the bastard in the mouth. Keeping Erin safe was my job and my responsibility.
Suggesting otherwise was an insult.
“It makes some sense.” I stroked my cheek. James glared at me. He always glared, never stared, never ogled—even when I purposefully tried to draw his attention. He never had eyes for me, which I didn’t mind, but it was another piece of information to tuck away.