Beautiful Seduction

CHAPTER10

Valentin

Disaster.

I’d classify the entire situation as a fucking disaster.

Hissing, I moved to the basement level, scanning the area to ensure one of the fuckers hadn’t found a way inside.

Then I noticed her.

The usually strong woman stood with her arms crossed, her glare just as contemptuous as the one Brando had given me earlier.

“I hate you,” she snapped.

“Hate me all you want, Cassidy. I might be the only man who can keep you alive.” I grabbed her arm, forcing her to keep up with me as I headed for my vehicle.

After throwing open the passenger door and tossing her inside, I scanned the area a second time before opening the trunk, yanking out several additional clips of ammunition as well as an assault rifle. After tossing the AK-12 into the back seat, I climbed inside and started the engine. “Hold on, my angel.”

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Getting us the hell out of here.”

As I pressed on the accelerator, my anger continued to swell. Russians. Thugs no less. Had Filip hired the fuckers? That remained to be seen. I shifted around the various tight curves, shooting through the open gates and onto the street behind the club. I rolled down the main street, heading west and out of the city limits.

Within seconds, I could tell we were about to be ambushed. I shifted into third, rolling around several vehicles, gunning the engine through a red light.

Horns blasted all around me, tires screeching. I kept going, making a quick turn. Then I noticed several police cars heading in the direction of the club. New York’s finest. The detective was about to try to make good on his threat. I slammed my hand on the steering wheel, my thoughts drifting to Niccolo. If the fuckers killed him, I would enjoy spending hours dissecting them piece by piece.

She jumped when I smashed my hand down again, but she remained silent, maybe accepting the fact she was now involved with a monster, her free will gone.

“Put your damn seatbelt on, Cassidy.”

“This is crazy. Where the hell are we going?” she asked, gripping the dashboard as I shifted around several other cars.

“Somewhere safe.”

“Just let me go.”

“As I told you, I can’t do that.”

“I didn’t see anything.”

Laughing, I shifted a gaze in her direction. She remained covered in blood, dark spots soaking into her ruined dress. As the three police cars passed, I hissed when one of them put on their brakes. A car chase I didn’t need, but it was often inevitable. Even though I was headed to a private airstrip, one hidden from view and even from Google Maps, that didn’t mean the location hadn’t been compromised.

Just like it had been all those years ago.

“This isn’t entirely about what you saw occurring in my world, Cassidy. Perhaps your keen instincts didn’t allow you to comprehend that in the twenty-four hours you’ve been in the city, two men have tried to kill you.”

“I… no.”

“You know it. You’re a smart girl.”

She remained quiet for a few seconds

I made another sharp turn, keeping both hands on the steering wheel, constantly checking the rearview mirror. The fact none of the men hired by Filip weren’t following added credence to what threat we could be facing. I didn’t like the odds, but there was no other choice.

“Why? Because I’m a reporter?”