Page 43 of Russian Roulette
Kit lets out a loud sigh. “That wasn’t what I meant.”
Jade appears seriously ticked off at Kit for lying to her. I can’t imagine why it bothered her so much.
“Is there anything else here in the room we need to carry out for you?” I ask, taking one last glance around.
She shakes her head. “Nope. Just me, my car and whatever I can fit into the suitcase. This is all I have left in this world.”
Kit’s eyes meet mine over her head. He’s thinking the same thing I am.
It’s not all she has in this world.
She has us now.
23
JADE
Ireluctantly follow Seven back to the limo. He holds open the back door and waves me inside with a flourish. “Your carriage awaits you, madam,” he tries to joke.
I roll my eyes at him and slide inside. Seven’s limo is big enough to seat ten people inside, with a fully stocked bar and television.
“Sit anywhere.” He waves a hand at the long row of wide leather seats.
I move to the middle of the limo and Seven settles in close beside me, with our legs touching. Leroy goes around to the driver’s side and adjusts the seat before climbing in. After he starts the engine, the glass window between us slides down halfway.
“Jade, what the hell were you doing up here?” he grumbles. “I can tell you’ve been pushing every damn button and changing shit around. Give me a minute to get everything back to the way I like it. What were you trying to do, anyway?”
“Sorry,” I say to him. “I was trying to find the GPS to help me find my hotel. I couldn’t remember how to drive here.”
“Lucky for both of us, I keep all the latest high-tech gadgets,” Leroy says. “Anything to make my life easier.”
Vulcan puts his hand on the roof and leans his head inside the limo. “Is there anything you want to tell me about your car?” he asks me. “We’re headed back to Kit’s with it now. You don’t have it rigged with a bomb or anything, do you? Are there drugs, weapons or bodies hidden in the trunk in case I’m pulled over by the police? Is the car tag stolen?”
“No, but be careful with the car,” I say. “It’s finally paid for, and I’m attached to it. My little Toyota might not be fancy or expensive, but it’s dependable and has served me well over the years.”
Seven lets out a snort beside me. “Telling Vulcan to be careful with anything on wheels is a waste of breath. He lives for speed.”
“I’m not worried,” I say. “It’s a Toyota Corolla. He’ll be disappointed if he tries to get it over seventy.”
“Totaling that piece of shit might be the best thing that could happen to it,” Vulcan says before putting on his sunglasses and slamming the limo door.
I watch through the tinted window while he climbs inside my car, pushing the seat back as far as it can go before starting the engine. Now that they’ve taken my car, my last chance of freedom has disappeared.
“Where to now?” I ask, my voice laced with frustration. “I’m being tossed back and forth like a hot potato between you guys with no control over my fate.”
Seven’s gaze is intense as he stares at me, studying my face. “That depends,” he says slowly. “Where do you want to go? Just say the word. I’m flexible.”
I open my mouth to say ‘home’ and stop. What am I thinking? I can’t go home, not to Los Angeles. I’m homeless with nowhere to feel safe. I cock an eyebrow at him, surprised by his words. “You mean I have a choice?”
“Sure, if it’s something within reason,” he replies with a shrug. “What would you like to do?”
I pause for a moment, considering my options, my mind racing. “The first thing I’d love to do is change out of these clothes I’m wearing. Did you notice I’m wearing your sweatpants? Kit found them for me in your room at his house. He said you wouldn’t mind, but I’m self-conscious wearing oversized borrowed clothes. I need to put on clean clothes.”
“My pants look good on you,” Seven says, giving me an appreciative glance. “Much better than on me. I’ll take you to my place. The building I live in has tight security. You’ll be safe there.”
“Safe from whom?” I ask.
“The Russians, Giovanni, and anyone else who might come after you,” he replies, his expression turning serious. “You’re safe from me too,” he adds, his tone reassuring. “You shouldn’t fear me.”
