Page 62 of Ours

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Looking out the Lincoln’s window, Lexi took in a breath as the driver pulled up to the Manhattan high rise. Giving Kade a quickglance, she motioned to the smartly dressed doorman as he exited the building.

“That’s Jimmy, he’s the only one that has ever shown me a little bit of kindness. He told me that I reminded him of his daughter once, so that’s probably why. He will let us right in,” she said.

Remaining quiet, Kade eyed the older man as he walked towards the car. He was thankful that Jimmy had treated her well, he would be sure to reward him once everything was said and done.

Reaching for the handle of the Town Car, Jimmy pulled open the door. Taking a moment to see who was inside, a bright smile lifted his wrinkled face as he recognized Lexi. She sure was a sight for sore eyes.

“Miss Lexi! What a surprise! It’s so good to see you!” he said, offering his gloved hand to help her.

Taking his hand, she eased herself from the sleek car. Stepping onto the crowded sidewalk, she waited for Kade to follow suit.

Keeping the door open for the other occupant, Jimmy glanced back and forth between her and the newcomer. He didn’t recognize the tall man, but he carried himself in the same manner as everyone else that occupied the thirty-third floor. There was a stench of sin that couldn’t be washed away. Closing the door behind the dark stranger, he led the pair towards the front entrance. Grabbing the silver handle of the glass door, he held it open for them with a friendly look.

Thanking Jimmy with a polite smile, Lexi stepped into the posh lobby and headed towards the front desk. Glancing over her shoulder at Kade, she tried to calm her nerves as he moved to stand behind her. Mentally replaying their plan again and again,she quickly went over every detail. She hoped they wouldn’t run into too many complications.

Lifting his hand, Kade gently placed it against her lower back. Letting her handle the situation with the doorman, he offered her as much assurance from his touch as he could. Leaning down, he whispered a word of encouragement into her ear.

“This is going to work, Sweetheart. Don’t worry.”

Nodding once, she soaked in his optimism. Of course this would work, there was no other option.

Walking towards the front desk, Jimmy took his assigned place. Eyeing the young duo from behind the high countertop, he wondered why they were there. He hadn’t received any notification that Bloodbayne was expecting Lexi, or her new companion.

“Would you like me to let Bloodbayne know that you’re here, Miss Lexi?” he asked.

Shaking her head, she painted a calm expression over her face. Smoothing her hands down the front of her tunic, she purposefully settled her touch over her small bump. He often bent over backwards for her because of her “delicate condition,” as he lovingly called it. She hoped the reminder would help him gloss over the protocols.

“Oh no, that won’t be necessary, he knows I’m here. I’m bringing him a new recruit and he’s very excited to meet him,” she said, keeping her voice steady.

Shifting his brown eyes from Lexi to the man, Jimmy lifted his grey eyebrows. A new recruit, huh? Back in his day they calledthemGoons.He never understood why a sweet girl like her would be caught up with these buffoons.

“Ok, then! Well, if you need anything Miss Lexi, you just let me know,” he replied, lifting his hand to point towards the hallway to his left. “Elevator one should be free for you.”

“Thank you,” she said, offering him a smile.

Looking back at Kade, she motioned towards the hallway with a flick of her head. Knowing he would follow quickly behind, she made her way to the elevator. She was relieved that Jimmy didn’t call Bloodbayne or insist on escorting her to his floor.Step one was a success.

Giving the Door Man a curt nod, Kade trailed behind her. Hitting the call button for the elevator, he moved to stand beside his love. Waiting for the doors to open, he hardened his features. The fun was about to begin, and he was chomping at the bit.

Perking as a metallic“ding”echoed through the lobby, she swallowed hard as the silver doors to the lift opened. Making sure it was empty of any occupants, she stepped inside the claustrophobic space. “Ready?” she asked as Kade entered the elevator.

Taking his place by her side, he pressed the button for the thirty-third floor. Waiting to move until the door fully closed, he unzipped his black military jacket. Pulling the cotton fabric open, he reached into the gun holster attached to his side. Taking his Beretta M9A3 from its leather confines, he met her eyes as he readied the sleek weapon.

“More than ready, Sweetheart,” he said, grabbing his suppressor from his jacket pocket with his free hand. “Still have your blade?”

Lifting her hand to her belly, Lexi patted the hidden hilt of her Stiletto tucked under the wide band of her maternity leggings. It was the one place she could conceal it. Bloodbayne’s men never touched her abdomen when they searched her. She didn’t understand why, but not much ever made sense when it came to the Bloodbayne Organization. They were probably too afraid of somehow harming the “rightful” heir. Whatever the reason, she would use their idiocy to her advantage.

“Yeah, I’ll be able to get to it,” she replied.

Attaching the matte black silencer onto the end of his gun, he nodded his head. He hated that she only had one weapon on her but took comfort in the fact that it was the one weapon she was highly proficient with.

“Good girl,” he began, keeping his intense gaze on her beautiful face. “I’ll give you five minutes, that’s it. Please don’t do anything crazy until I’m with you.”

Laughing lightly, she turned towards him. Leaning up, she moved her lips within half an inch of his. “When have I ever done anything remotely crazy?” she asked.

Holding in a hearty laugh, he gave her an amused look. He could think of a dozen instances off the top of his head. “I love you,” he said, his deep voice filled with adoration.

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