Page 73 of Deadly Sights

Before he can answer, Julian pulls me away from the other man. “Nadira, that’s not a joke I can take lightly.”

“I suppose you’re right. I’ll find some other method to lure Alastair away. In the meantime, we have some planning to do, and an organization to destroy.”

CHAPTER 30

YOU'RE HAIR BRAIDS?

Nadira

It’s New Year’s Eve and Julian and I are sitting in front of the fireplace. Since a car chase and a slug ruined our Christmas plans, we decided to wait until tomorrow to enact our revenge. Today is supposed to be for us to fuck, eat, sleep, and fuck again. Although I should be more stern with Julian because he shouldn’t strain himself, I also know the man I’m dealing with. He leaves his risk-taking to work and to protect me, everything else he does is to ensure our future.

The peace of the crackling fire, Leaper’s purring on her cat bed, and Julian’s arms around me lull me into a state of contentment I rarely experience let alone get the time to truly immerse myself in. My sore muscles are thanks to Julian, and my body hasn’t stopped humming from my many orgasms. That’s why when Alastair hands me my phone, my first reaction is to push it away and pretend he doesn’t exist.

“You have four missed calls from your friend Chelsea,” he says.

“That’s not like her.” I take the phone and return the call.

“Nadira, where have you been?” Chelsea’s voice transmits her concern over the phone as clearly as if she’s in the room with me.

“I got stuck in a snowstorm, but now I’m with Julian. Why?”

“I need to see you. Can we meet? Today?”

“Of course, where?” I sit up, ready to forego my relaxing day with Julian to find my shoes and go into bestie mode.

“Our usual spots aren’t safe. I’m sending you instructions. How soon can you be there?”

I pull up the encrypted message she sends, wondering when she became so paranoid. “An hour.”

“See you then.” Chelsea disconnects and I stare at the phone puzzled by our interaction.

“Where are we headed?” Julian helps me stand.

“Downtown… Something’s wrong.”

Without questioning if I want him with me or what I need, Julian leads the way. I understand because I don’t want to be apart from him, either. Watching him in the throes of a fever after losing a dangerous amount of blood and knowing how close I came to losing him will always play at the back of my mind. With his near-death experience so recent, I’m still in my clingy phase and have no wish to move on.

When we get downtown, we follow Chelsea’s directions. They read like a spy novel. We arrive at 16thStreet Mall among the crowds of people gearing up for the festivities tonight.

As we pass a narrow door, a hand grabs my elbow. I swing my hand in a chopping motion to target the person’s wrist.

When I see it’s Chelsea, I deflect the momentum of my blow to the wall. “Dammit, Chelsea, I could have hurt you.”

“I know. Follow me.” She leads me and Julian into an empty speakeasy, goes behind the bar, and retrieves two bottles of vodka.

When she takes a seat, I demand, “What the hell is going on, Chelsea?”

“I need your help.” She opens the bottle and takes a swig.

“Girl, you already know I got your back, whatever it is.” I share a worried glance with Julian.

Chelsea shifts her attention away from me, acting cagier by the second. Then she settles on Julian. “So, this is the guy you’re seeing?”

He steps forward, his hand extended. “Name’s Julian.”

“Yeah, I know.” She eyes him, a wealth of thoughts hidden behind her eyes.

“Chelsea, why’re you changing the subject?”

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