“Why?” Viktor wondered if his brother had said something about their history, but he immediately dismissed that. Abram would never betray his confidence.
Lyosha glanced around at his men and barked out an order for them to start taking fingerprints of the dead guys, before he turned back to Viktor. “I know the type of woman you like.” He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. “No disrespect. I just don’t know if you should completely trust someone like her, even if she’s yours now.”
He blinked, realizing Lyosha had misunderstood him before. “She’s not an escort—never was. She works for Red Stone. She is my…she’s mine.”
Now Lyosha cursed, as if that was worse than what he’d originally assumed.
Just to get another rise out of him because it was so rare, Viktor added, “She’s Porter Caldwell’s assistant.”
“You’re fucking insane,” he muttered. “She works for those Boy Scouts?”
He didn’t answer, just tilted his head in the direction of one of the employee doors. He needed to see for himself that she was okay and then convince her she should go with Lyosha. From what he knew of her, he figured Dominique would argue and want to stay, but it wasn’t happening. He wanted her gone, mainly because he didn’t want the police to tie her to him. He’d been legit for a while but he didn’t want to give some asshole cop an excuse to harass the woman he’d fallen for.
Hurrying down the hallway, he texted Kir to let him know they were on their way. As they reached the door to the storage room, Kir peered out, his weapon in hand.
The door quickly shot open and Dominique practically shoved Kir out of the way as she hurried to him. Later he’d have to tell her that she couldn’t do that—that in a situation like this she needed to remain behind one of his men at all times until they knew for a fact that everything was clear, but…he liked the worry for him he saw on her face.
Not the actual worry, but he liked that she cared for him enough to be concerned.
“Are you okay?” She grabbed his upper arms, looking him up and down, her body slightly trembling.
“I’m fine.” He pulled her into his arms, needing to comfort her, to actually hold her. She was heaven in his arms, soft and sweet and his.
It was a foreign sensation to comfort another person, but he smoothed a hand down her spine and murmured to her in Russian. He knew she wouldn’t understand and he truly didn’t give a shit that Lyosha and Kir could understand him. If she played him for a fool he’d deal with the fallout. Right now, the only thing he knew was that his woman was upset and he needed to reassure her.
“What happened?” Her voice was muffled, her face buried against his chest.
“Not sure yet.” He couldn’t give her any details, not now. Getting her out of here was the most important thing.
She pulled back to look at him, just a hint of tears glistening in her dark eyes. “I was so worried about you,” she whispered.
He cupped her cheek and brushed his lips over hers. He knew they didn’t have time for this, but he just wanted a taste, to reassure her the situation was under control. “Everything’s okay,” he murmured, pulling back. “I need you to go with Lyosha. He’s going to take you to my place. I’ve got to stay and talk to the cops but I’ll tell you anything you want to know when I get there.”
She took a step back, her eyebrows drawing together. “I should be here to talk to the police too.”
“No.” She frowned at his abruptness but he needed her gone. Now.
“Viktor—”
“Kir’s taken the other two. They’re fine leaving.” Lyosha’s voice made them both turn.
Viktor noticed that Dominique stepped closer to him—away from Lyosha. “See, they’re gone too. It’ll be easier with you gone as well. No questions from the police, no making a report, nothing. You can go and relax and—”
“And leave you to deal with everything by yourself?” she demanded, turning her full attention to him again. “I’m staying.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“No. You’re not.” Damn it, he needed her safe. He was used to people following his orders. Always. “If you stay you’ll have to lie to the police about the other two not being here. Because they’re gone now.”
She bit her bottom lip and looked over at the doorway of the storage room. The others had left through the other exit, likely already in a vehicle driven by Kir. “Fine. He can just take me home, then.”
“You’re going to my place where I know you’re safe.” That wasn’t up for debate. None of this was. He also wanted her where they could pick up where they’d left off. He wanted her in his bed and moaning out his name as he brought her to climax.
She poked at his chest. “Unless you’re planning on kidnapping me—”
“I’ll do what it takes to keep you safe,” he ground out. “I have no idea what tonight was about, who those guys were. So you’re going with Lyosha to my place.”