21. Raven

21

RAVEN

My heels clacked on the stairs as Nicholas and I made our way to the first floor. Ivan was waiting for me, and I got the distinct feeling he was trying to throw me off and make me feel self-conscious, but it wasn't going to work. I didn't care if they heard us.

He handed over the eggs, which wasn't at all what I was expecting. "You're giving these to me?"

"They will kill you if you don't give them back."

"I'm dead either way," I pointed out.

"Can't you do something?" FNG asked. "You must still have connections."

Ivan shrugged. "I have many connections inside the Kremlin. What I use them for is different story."

I knew he wouldn't help me. Just because he didn't slit my throat or strangle me didn't mean he would willingly stick his neck out for me.

"What about anything you might have on them?" Rae asked. "Is there anything we might be able to use to get them to back off?"

Ivan chuckled. "Is Russian government. They don't back off. They simply kill you and bury body in unmarked grave."

"Ooh, I have an idea," Fox said excitedly, bouncing from one foot to another. "It's mad, but totally awesome."

"No," Nicholas immediately said.

"But you haven't even heard my idea!"

"Does it involve singing?"

"Not exactly."

"Does it involve dancing?"

Fox frowned, kicking at the ground with his toe. "Maybe."

"Then we're not doing it."

"Okay, Plan B?—"

"No," Nicholas said more forcefully.

"Okay, this is just insulting. You haven't even listened to me this time."

"Does it involve Funyuns?"

His eyes widened. "No, but that would be so awesome!"

"What is Funyuns?" Ivan asked.

Before any of us could answer, Fox went into a whole tirade about them. "They're this delicious onion snack. Like little onion rings. They're so good."

"You eat snack made of onions?"

"Onion flavoring," FNG cut in. "It's all carbs and?—"

"Awesome goodness," Fox finished. "You know you love them."

"I prefer the blood of my enemies."

I snorted. I actually found that answer more in line with my thinking.

"Seriously, it's an awesome plan. We draw them out, kill them all, and then Bob's your uncle!"

We all stared at him incredulously. "What? It's a foolproof plan. It literally cannot fail!"

Rae shook her head in astonishment. "Or…we could set up a meet. Maybe at an OPS location. If we bring in enough of our guys, we might have a chance of walking out of this alive."

"IRIS," FNG said excitedly. "We definitely need IRIS."

"Agreed. We need all the explosions we can get," Nicholas added.

"And maybe IKE. How cool would it be to see him again?" FNG grinned. "Man, that guy is a snappy dresser."

"Yes, we usually base our plans around what the friendlies will be wearing," Rae retorted.

"I know I do," he huffed out a laugh. "You know what they say, dress for success."

"Yes, but in our case, you might want to wear something bulletproof," I suggested.

"Oh, I bet he wears something bulletproof under that fancy vest."

"Your company shouldn't be in danger because of what I've done," I argued. "Someone could get killed."

They all were silent for a moment, then started laughing. Even Nicholas seemed amused at the idea.

"I'm serious. This is the mob. Backed by the Russian government. They won't go easily."

"And neither will we. Besides, what fun is it to win a fight if it's not challenging?" Rae asked.

I felt Nicholas's hand trail up my back and then squeeze my neck gently. "We've got this."

That wasn't the point. They were putting their lives on the line for a thief.

"I'll call Cash and handle logistics," Rae said.

"Ooh, I'll handle weapons," FNG added.

"I'll call my team in." Nicholas already had his phone out and was calling someone.

"So…that's it?" I questioned. "We're just calling everyone in and blowing a bunch of people up? I thought you were the good guys."

"Uh, they're Russian mafia," FNG snorted, then turned to Ivan. "No offense."

I nodded. I guess I didn't really understand how this whole good guy thing worked.

A few minutes later, Rae was off the phone. "Cash is getting everyone in place. Now, all we have to do is schedule a meet with the Russians and Bob's your uncle."

"That's my phrase," Fox grumbled.

"Yes, but it's so much more effective when I say it."

"There is just one thing you are forgetting," Ivan said.

I had completely forgotten he was even here. After he said he wouldn't help, I blocked him out. "And what's that?"

"We are Russians. There is no way they will meet you at a location of your choosing without being prepared. All this planning and explosions…" He chuckled as he covered his mouth. "Is funny. You think they are unprepared for this?"

"Then what would you suggest we do?" Rae asked. "We'll be prepared for every scenario."

"Except, you underestimate the Russian. We never go down without a fight. And trust me, it is one you are unprepared for."

His thick accent sent shivers down my spine, and at that moment, I seriously considered running with the eggs again. He was right. These were the Russians! Their voices alone were terrifying. I once sat in a bar with a group of them at a table. Everyone saw them dressed all in black and fled. That was the kind of power they held.

"It looks as if my services are required after all," Ivan said, his face pulling down in a frown.

"I thought you didn't want to help."

"I also don't want to see my good friend FNG slaughtered. I have idea. Is very good idea. But it will cost you."

Nicholas pulled me aside, his face angry. "No, we don't make deals with him. There's no way we can trust that he won't turn on us."

"There's also a better chance of winning if we have him on our side. He can broker the exchange. It's the only way we can ensure we'll get a meet on our terms."

"Raven—"

"No!" I said forcefully. "I'm allowing you to help, but you are not taking over and demanding how I handle this. It has to be my decision. I'm the one who got us into this mess."

Though he was clearly pissed at me, he didn't fight me any longer. I turned back to Ivan and nodded. "I agree to your terms."

"Wonderful. I will broker a meet. Who wants breakfast?"

Fox raised his hand, shouting out, "I want shawarma!"

"Room for one."

"Two," Nicholas said, stepping up beside me.

Clenching my jaw, I smiled at the front desk clerk. "Just one bed."

"That's fine. It's not like I'll be sleeping in a separate bed from you."

"Yes, you will," I snapped, turning to face him. "I would like my privacy."

"And I want you under me all night long. Would you like me to describe in vivid detail all the things I'm going to do to you?"

"Uh…maybe I should let you sort this out," the clerk said, attempting to walk away.

"No need. We'll be sharing a room."

I could smack him for his brazen tone. Who did he think he was? We weren't a couple, and even if we were, I wasn't about to let him stay with me everywhere I went. A girl needed her space.

"Actually, we will take one room. But we'll only need one card." I gave a tight smile, refusing to look at Nicholas any longer.

He slid his arms around my waist, his hands trailing down my front to some very inappropriate places. "Nice try. I know what you're doing."

"Really? And what's that?"

"You think you can lock me out? Not gonna happen."

"The only way you're getting me in bed is if you handcuff me and drag me there."

"That can be arranged."

The clerk turned bright red as she studiously avoided our gazes, paying attention only to the computer and getting us checked in as quickly as possible. I couldn't blame her. I wanted us away from her too. I wanted Nicholas in my bed and pinning me to the mattress, but he was too intense, too smothering. The last thing I needed was for him to turn into another Nolan, infatuated with me and unable to live life if I wasn't right beside him.

"Here you go. Room for two. One card."

"We'll need a second," Nicholas grinned.

Her eyes flicked to mine, but only for a second. She slid the keycard into the machine and quickly handed it over.

"What about payment?" I asked.

She flushed a deeper red, shaking her head. "Right, I'm sorry. I was?—"

"Distracted by hotel guests saying inappropriate things in front of you?" I asked.

That only made things worse. She hurried through the process of getting my card on file, printed out my reservation, and quickly looked behind me for the next in line.

As I turned to leave, Ivan raised his eyebrows at me. And I could have sworn he mouthed the name Katerina. I was not his ex. I wasn't using Nicholas like that woman used him. But as I walked away and Nicholas slid his arm around my waist, I wondered if that was entirely true.

Yes, I had tried to push this man away, but he just wouldn't give up. There had to be some kind of barrier I could put up that would keep him from burrowing so deep inside my soul.

The elevator dinged and we stepped inside. As the doors closed, it felt like some kind of death sentence—that there was no going back from here. How could that be? I hadn't signed up for any of this. Hell, we would have never met if I hadn't taken that job for Rafe. This was all his fault, and I was going to make him pay the next time I saw him.

"I'll take that," Nicholas whispered, plucking the card out of my hand.

I hadn't even realized I'd spaced out until he opened the door and practically shoved me inside. My bag was tossed haphazardly on the luggage rack and he was backing me up to the bed. This had to stop.

"Don't you think we should talk first?"

"Talking's overrated," he murmured against my lips.

He towered over me, bending me backward until I fell onto the bed and he flopped on top of me, but not landing on me. I was boxed in with nowhere to go. If I let him do this again, there would be no way out. Damnit, this was not supposed to happen! Yes, he was sexy and amazing in bed, but that did not mean I could let a man like him take over my life without my approval!

"I have my period," I tried.

"I don't give a fuck."

His hands pulled at my clothes, making it impossible for me to think clearly.

"Did I tell you I'm a lesbian?"

He chuckled, not stopping. My shirt was off first, and then he was working on my pants. "Maybe we'll invite one in some time."

Dammit, men were turned on by two women making out. There had to be something—anything to get him to stop! Granny panties, toenail fungus, hemorrhoids?—

And then I got it. "I would love to meet your mother." He stopped instantly, his lips hovering just inches from my pussy.

"What?"

"You're such a gentle lover. Men who love their mothers usually are."

He rolled his eyes with a groan and flopped on the bed beside me. "I can't believe you went there."

"I did what I had to do."

Sighing, he rolled to his side, propping his head up on his elbow. "So, you want to talk?"

"Not really."

"Then what was this all about?"

"This was about stopping you from getting your way."

"Because you don't want me to bury my face in your pussy?"

"No," I smirked. "Because you seem to think that you can get your way no matter what."

"I can. All I have to do is?—"

I stopped his hand as he attempted to work his way back into my good graces. "Not gonna happen." I sat up and took the pillows off one side of the bed, throwing them on the floor for him. Then I pulled a blanket off and tossed it on the floor. "I'm sure you'll be comfortable down there."

"I'm not sleeping on the floor."

Walking over to my bag, I picked it up and grinned at him over my shoulder. "Yes, you are."

Then I shut myself in the bathroom and took my time getting ready for bed. I didn't ever spend too much time in the bathroom. I wasn't one of those women who stared at my pores or examined blemishes on my face. I wasn't particularly interested in my nails unless it was for a job. I pulled my hair up in bun for the night and slid a T-shirt on, then brushed and flossed like always.

Nodding to myself in the mirror, I glanced down at the sink, straightening the soap dish and making sure everything was in alignment before turning off the light and heading back into the room. As I suspected, Nicholas had made his way back into the bed.

I walked around the room, straightening things here and there, taking extra care to ensure everything was as it should be. I hated to get in bed and then realize I had to get up to fix something.

"What are you doing?" Nicholas asked as I scooted the TV over a half inch.

"Just fixing it." I stood back and smiled to myself. That should do it.

"Are you coming to bed?"

"Not if you're in there."

"What's with you?"

I spun and faced him. "What's with me is that you keep worming your way into my life. I don't know what possessed you to stalk me, but it's time we put up some boundaries."

"And how would you suggest we do that?"

"For starters, you can get out of my bed."

He complied much more easily than I expected, tossing his pillow back on the floor. As he got out from under the covers, I tried to ignore the flex of his muscles and his sculpted abs. And the very sexy V that disappeared under his boxers. Even that thin trail of dark hair leading from his navel down to his cock drove me insane. It wasn't right for a man to be as good-looking as him.

"You could have any woman you want. Why me?" I snapped after I realized just how much I was ogling him.

"Why not you?" He bent over, spreading his blanket out on the ground. And when he looked over his shoulder, his eyes laughed at the way I was staring at his backside.

"I know I'm pretty."

"Beautiful," he corrected.

"And I'm not trying to fish for compliments. But you've been following me around the country like a hound dog. I'd like to know why."

"Because you intrigue me."

"You mean, I kicked your ass and now you're obsessed with me."

A devilish grin tilted his lips. "Something like that."

"Well, you can get over it. It's not like this is going anywhere. We're too different."

"In what way?"

"Um…I'm a thief and you're a protection agent." A very sexy protection agent with defined muscles, a sexy body, and a killer smile.

He stared at me like he didn't understand where I was going with this.

"I steal things and you're a do-gooder. What part of that would ever work?"

He shrugged. "So, go straight."

"I don't want to go straight. I happen to like what I do."

"Why?"

"Because I like the challenge."

"And what if I told you there's always room for someone like you on the good side?"

I couldn't help the laugh that burst from my lips. Was he insane? He wanted me to switch sides and work for the good guys? There was no way that was happening.

He sauntered over to me, his body moving and flexing in all the right ways. It was hard to ignore him and his inky black hair. Fuck, I really should have gotten myself off in the bathroom. Maybe I would have had a better chance of resisting him.

I backed up a step, trying my best not to swoon from the way his eyes followed my every movement. I wasn't that girl. I loved temptation as much as the next woman, but I'd never had a man stalk me or look at me like he wanted to devour me every second of the day. Yes, men were playthings to me. That's all this was supposed to be. We were both supposed to lose interest and move on.

Except, he was breaking the rules I hadn't told him about.

"Why are you trying so hard to be bad?" he murmured, boxing me against the bed.

"Because I like being bad. I'm good at it."

His lips twitched. "And yet, right now, you're doing everything possible to push me away instead of doing what you love."

I gasped as his fingers trailed down the backs of my thighs, then up to the hem of my shirt. His pressed open-mouth kisses to my shoulder, his tongue trailing over my skin in the most indecent way. I tried to resist him, but it was nearly impossible. My eyes fluttered shut as the whole world seemed to stop. I couldn't even tell if I was still breathing.

"There's my bad girl," he murmured in my ear as he dragged the hem of my shirt over my head.

I finally gave in. "Fuck it."