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WHEN WE HIT THE OUTSKIRTS of Vegas, my nerves were through the roof. I was so on edge, I felt like I might topple over.
For Shade’s sake, I held myself together letting nothing show. I refused to let him see any weakness from me. He would only use it against me to keep me out of this.
Niko must’ve left before us because once Shade parked the car in an abandoned parking lot a block from the rental car company, Niko pushed off the side of a sleek sports car and strolled toward us.
“Hello again, Kisa.” He greeted me as soon as I stepped out of the car.
“Hi,” I smiled, giving him a small wave.
Niko looked to Shade giving him a small nod.
“We’re all set.” Shade said to Niko before looking to me. “You’ll walk straight to the rental car company and get a car. Nothing too flashy. We’ll follow you until you reach the city limits, then you’re on your own until we find you.”
“I know the plan, Shade.” I headed to the back of the car just as Shade popped the trunk.
I pulled out a bag that contained enough money to get me a car and a nights stay at the Mirage. When I slammed the trunk closed, Shade and Niko seemed to be having a glaring contest. When they noticed me watching, Niko gave me a charming smile and walked back toward his car.
“I’ll see you soon, Kisa,” he called before disappearing behind the driver door.
Shade rounded the car to me, pulling me into his arms.
“Please be safe, darlin’,” he whispered into my hair. The feel of him being so close calmed my mind and body. I loved and hated that he did that for me. “I need you to stay safe, Ever. We have so much to talk about once this is over.”
“I know,” I whispered. “You be safe too.” Stretching up on my tiptoes, I placed a light kiss against his soft lips.
Before he could say anything else, I walked away, heading toward my rental car.
The walk was a lonely one. I knew Shade and Niko were watching even though it was unlikely that I was to find any trouble before I reached my destination. But they were hitmen. They thought of every possible scenario and had a plan for everything. That was why they were the best after all.
Once I arrived at the rental company, I paid cash to rent an inconspicuous Ford Focus. No one would think ‘fugitive of the mob’ when they looked at it. It was a common car and when I arrived on the strip, I would be one among hundreds. In this car, I would make it to the Mirage undetected. Part one of the plan would be complete.
I spotted no less than ten Ford Focuses on my to the Mirage. My assumptions had been correct. This car might as well have been camouflage. The valet gave me a cool look when I stepped out. After I grabbed my bag from the trunk, I handed my keys over. I thought I might have spotted recognition in his eyes, but it could have been my own paranoia from being back in this city.
With part one of the plan complete, it was on to part two.
Heading for the front desk, I noticed how people seemed to stare. I couldn’t blame them. This was a nice hotel and I looked like I should book a room at a shady motel rather than this luxury hotel. But that’s what they get for judging a book by its cover.
There used to be a time when I could order these people’s death for how they were looking at me. Not that I would have ever considered doing it.
“Welcome to the Mirage.” The woman at the front desk greeted me.
Her eyes trailed over me, taking in my disheveled look. My poorly planned out disguise consisted of a baggy hoodie, leggings, boots, and a baseball cap. My hair was wild and frizzy underneath. The big aviator sunglasses concealed most of my face. The way the woman looked at me told me she thought I looked like a broke, homeless person who couldn’t afford one of their suites.
“One room, please,” I smiled, pulling my aviators off. “I’ll pay cash.”
Recognition flashed in her eyes and I silently cursed. Then, I realized she wasn’t looking at me, but past me. When I turned, I found a very familiar man standing behind me.
“Ever,” the man drawled. A vicious smile played on his lips. “Tell me, what brings you into my hotel today.”
“Isaac.” My breath left me as I stared up at the man my father had promised me too.
Isaac looked around me to the woman behind the desk.
“My wife will not be needing a room today,” he told her.
The word wife broke through my fear and my anger roared to life.
“I am not your wife,” I hissed.
“Come. We have things to discuss,” he said, ignoring me.
“I’m not going with you.” I stood firm, my feet planted.
He didn’t bother arguing. He nodded to a man a few feet from us. The man moved without hesitation, but so did I. He advanced on me quickly, ready to restrain me, but I didn’t give him the chance. Shade said I could put up a fight if I wanted and since this was Isaac’s hotel now, I would cause some damage.
I charged toward the man, dunking at the last minute when he made a grab for me. Before he could recover, I kicked out, hitting him in the back of the knee causing him to stumble forward. Using his momentum against him, I used my own force to shove his head into the front desk. His head left a dent as he dropped to the floor.
I turned a triumphant smile on a now glaring Isaac.
“He tripped.” I held up two innocent hands.
He nodded and two more men came at me, but I was ready. Within minutes, I had dispatched the first and was driving my foot home in the second one’s balls. I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped me when he let out a high-pitched scream.
“Well, this was fun, but I think I’ll take my leave,” I sighed as if I were bored. Waving a hand around, I gesture toward the onlookers. “Besides, one of these lovely people have probably called the cops by now. Be a shame if I ended up in jail. Could you imagine my father’s shame?”
My laugh was cut off when I was grabbed from behind. I dropped my weight causing us to stumble forward. I flung my head back, smashing it into my attackers nose. He let out a grunt of pain, but his hold never loosened. When my eyes meet Isaac, he gave me a triumphant smile.
I struggled harder, dropped all my weight again, but it was of no use. This person wouldn’t be thwarted.
“Stop!” A familiar voice hissed in my ear.
My head snapped around and Nate’s face came into view.
“You son of a bitch!” I screamed, thrashing around again.
This time I didn’t want to be free. I wanted to get my hands on Nate. He was a traitor. He betrayed me after everything he had done for me. He kept me safe for all those years only to sell me out because he didn’t want me to be with Shade. I would make him pay for what he had done.
“Get her out of here,” Isaac snapped.
Nate carried me out the door as I screamed insults at him and tried to get free. He showed no sign of caring. He shoved me into the back of a car, putting me in between him and another man. This was it. They were taking me. I wouldn’t be getting away no matter how much I wanted too. Part two was complete. Now we are onto part three. Let’s just hope this goes according to plan.
* * *
THE RIDE TO MY FATHER’S compound was quiet. Nate hadn’t bothered to speak to me and Isaac’s minions weren’t the talking type. I wish I knew what would happen once we arrived. The thought of going in blind was terrifying. There was no telling what my father would have in store for me. From the look on Isaac’s face, I knew it wasn’t going to be good.
The Mirage wasn’t far from my father’s home and on the ride over, I tried to coax the men in the car to talk to me. None of them cracked. Not even Nate, though the more I talked the more red with anger, his face became. If I’d had more time, I knew he would eventually break. It was obvious there was something on the tip on his tongue and it was causing him great pain to not say it.
The car pulled to a stop outside the mansion my father lived in. The mansion I had ran away from. Nothing on the outside had changed. Except, maybe there were more guards. My father never lacked for people to protect his fortress. And with the new threat still out there, it made sense that he had added to his guard detail. Shade must have been right. My father hadn’t sent more men to find us.
Nate pulled me from the car, one hand gripped my upper arm.
“You try to fight me again,” he sneered. “I’ll knock you unconscious.”
“Ooh, don’t tease me with a good time.” Nate was a hitman and didn’t make ideal threats, but I was so mad at him and was itching for a fight.
“Hold on to that bravery.” His voice was a whisper now. “You’re going to need it when you find out what your father has done and plans to do to you. Though, it pales against what Isaac has in store. Shade’s a fool for letting you come back here alone.”
My back straightened, and I started to shake from his words. What Nate had said told me everything. This was a trap. The outlook on me getting out unscathed were slim to none. From those words, I knew I should be making an escape plan, but I couldn’t do it. No matter what, I had to see my father and Isaac dead. No matter the cost.
“Shade doesn’t tell me what to do. I’m back because I want to be,” I hissed at him.
Nate turned narrowed eyes on me, but didn’t say anything as he led me toward the mansion. He probably knew Shade was lying in wait somewhere waiting for his time to come in guns blazing.
“You should have ran with me when you had the chance,” he grumbled.
“And you shouldn’t have called my father’s people when I didn’t.”
“I was your only chance.” He sounded so sure.
“My only chance was Shade and you’ve nearly ruined it.” My voice shook and I had to look away.
“I hope Shade has a brilliant plan,” he sighed as we entered my former home.
It wasn’t surprising that my father wasn’t waiting to greet me by the door. That wasn’t his style. These men would bring me to him and they would do it on my father’s time. There was no telling how long he would make me wait.
“Where’s my father?” I demanded as Nate pulled me toward the stairs.
“He’s unavailable,” Nate told me. “He will call for you when he is ready.”
“He hasn’t seen me in years and he can’t be bothered to greet his own daughter.” I shook my head. “What a piece of shit.”
The reaction I got from my father’s people was almost comical. It was like they thought they would be punished for hearing such words. No one spoke against my father unless they wanted to die, but my father needed me. I knew I was safe until the day I signed my name on a marriage certificate. And that day would be never.
“You would do well to watch your tongue,” Nate hissed. “Or else your father may cut it out.”
We had stopped in front of my old bedroom door and I reached out turning the knob. The door swung open and it was like walking back in time. Nothing in my room had changed since the day I had left. It was as if my father knew I would be back in it eventually.
With a heavy sigh, I turned to look at Nate.
“It wouldn’t be the first time he’s threatened to cut it out.” And with that, I slammed the door in his face.