CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

" S he saw Nikolay?" Brayden growled and stalked to the window.

What the fuck?

"When?" Logan asked, dropping his feet to the floor and standing up abruptly.

Kurt glanced down at the message. "I don't know. She just says she is in the restroom and that she'd come face-to-face with Nikolay."

The hell?

"Ring her." Brayden pointed at Kurt, who shook his head.

"We can't. It will out her," Craig said. "She's safe and the strategy is working. Let's stick to the plan."

"She might have some information," Brayden boomed.

Logan walked over to the kitchen area and then back again. Goddamn these mafia assholes and putting Brooklyn in the middle of this dangerous situation.

"Text her. Tell her to get out of there," Logan demanded. "He knows who she is."

Marcus twisted in his seat. "How?"

I don't know.

"Logan's right. He might. We discussed this," Ben stated. "The Russians are cunning. He might have let her go to watch her. If he doesn't see her leave the restrooms, then—"

Logan faced them all. "He will go in there and slit her throat himself."

"With no remorse." Ben nodded.

All the assassins from The Institute knew how bloodthirsty and forgiving the mafia were.

"Fuck," Brayden said, then ran a hand over his head. "She needs to stay in there. I'm not saying her life is less important than Willow's—"

"Yes, you are," Craig growled. "And you're right. If she dies, so do you."

Fuck.

Logan paced the room. Someone needed to protect her. He had to get over there.

"One hour," Marcus said, in an attempt to calm them. "Fifty minutes, to be exact."

The mob boss only needed three to kill her. Every minute, if he was watching her, would raise his suspicion.

Logan could not stay here and do nothing.

She was...maybe...his mate.

Even if she wasn't, Brooklyn deserved his protection.

Fuck that, she had his protection. The damn end.

"We cannot just leave her over there like a sitting duck." Logan growled as images of her pretty face filled his mind. Those cheeks of hers blushing, her vulnerable gaze pleading with him to accept her.

He hadn't.

He'd hated her just because of who she was.

A human.

The truth was, he didn't hate her one little bit. He was in love with the sexy little scientist. He wanted her here, in his arms, where he would subsequently lock her in a closet so she couldn't get out.

Then, after they had destroyed these motherfuckers, he would let her out, listen to her yell at him, then kiss the life out of her.

And then make love to her the way he should have last night. Slowly, passionately, carefully pleasuring her.

"Sit your ass down," Craig told him.

Motherfucker.

Logan glared at each vampire in the room. Fury and bewilderment on his face. They were all stuck inside this fucking hotel until the sun went down.

Craig pointed to the seat, and Logan slowly, reluctantly, walked over and sat. There was no arguing with the commander.

Across from him, Ben caught his eye. What's going on?

Fuck, Ben. I think...

She's your mate.

Logan blinked, then glanced away. Accepting he was falling in love with Brooklyn was one thing, contemplating she might be his mate was another. But sharing it with someone else, having this conversation was a whole other level of acceptance.

He wasn't sure he was ready for it. But if he was to be listened to by the warriors, then he'd need to either come up with a really fucking solid plan. Or tell them she was his mate.

Because mates trumped just about everything.

Text her.

I can't. It could get her killed.

Her phone is on silent. She won't have to speak. Text her. Otherwise, you're useless as fuck to all of us if you just freak out.

Says the guy who kidnapped his mate.

Yeah, well, hashtag do not recommend.

Logan snorted silently. Then pulled out his phone and typed Brooklyn a message.

Are you safe?

...

...

Yes.

Not that she would know if the mafia were onto her but just receiving her response calmed him somewhat.

I'm sorry.

Okay.

Brooklyn, I'm sorry. After this, I want to talk.

No. You hurt me last night. I can't do this anymore.

Fuck.

Let me explain. After this. Just please keep yourself hidden and safe.

Damn it. The last thing he wanted to do was freak her out.

"I can hear your heart thumping from over here, Mathieson." Craig growled. "What is going on?"

"Brooklyn belongs to Logan," Ben announced to the fucking entire world.

His face shot up from his phone. "Ben! Fucking hell!"

"Of course she goddamn does." Craig threw his head back and groaned. "It's like a goddamn endemic now."

Logan frowned. "I didn't plan this. I fucking hate humans. And...she might not be."

Ben laughed. "She is. You hate people but this one has you turning inside out. She's your mate."

Marcus nodded.

Kurt nodded.

Ben smirked.

Logan glanced at the prince, seeking help.

"I'm sorry, Logan." Brayden gave him a compassionate half nod.

What a shit situation this was. His potential mate putting her life in the firing line to get the royal princesses back.

"We haven't bonded yet if she is," Logan announced. "But I need to get over there."

As an assassin, he'd done some dangerous things over the years to reach his targets. Stepping out into daylight would get him killed. However, as the sun rose or sunk into the sky, there was a period of time when a vampire could be outside, in the shadows, not in direct sunshine, and still survive.

It weakened a vampire but didn't turn them to ash.

"Logan." Ben warned.

"We've done it dozens of times before. We all have." He glanced around the room and the prince nodded. "I just need to get across the road and inside the building."

Teleporting in public was also not something vampires were encouraged to do. Especially in the time of smart phones and everything going viral.

"I can find a path," Logan said.

This is what he did. He was an assassin. He got in and he got his target.

Brooklyn was today's target.

And possibly his mate.

"Hold on. You could put this entire operation in jeopardy." Brayden crossed his arms.

"It might already be fucked," Logan said, standing. "Let me go in there and make sure they don't kill her. Without Brooklyn to let us inside, we can't get to the princesses."

The fact he was willing to risk his life and go out in daylight was beside the point. Brooklyn wouldn't die if he did. They weren't bonded.

"He's right," Kurt said, cursing.

"Fuck," Brayden said, leaning his arms on the window and dropping his head.

"The clock is ticking. I have to go." He pulled on his jacket and zipped it up. "Now."

"Ben, go with him and make sure we don't need to sweep him off the sidewalk," Brayden said, then turned. "Logan, don't make me lose a good warrior."

Logan felt the rush of care from the prince wash over him, then nodded and walked to the door.

"We will get Willow back, sire. I promise."

Ben was behind him as they stepped out the door.