I start cracking eggs into the skillet with my back to her. “Just keeping you alive so I don’t have to deal with the body.”
“I hate getting stuck with a dead body.”
I’m not great at reading between the lines, but I sense she means something more than her words are saying. It pissesme off. Sometimes I feel like people are speaking in another language, and I’m stuck without an interpreter. It puts me at a disadvantage, and I hate that, especially around someone as potentially dangerous as Danika.
On impulse, I take the paring knife I set out for my avocado and throw it in one swift motion as I spin toward her so that it punctures the wall inches from her head. Partially out of frustration. Partially to make a point.
Her eyes open wide, but the rest of her is frozen. I slowly stalk toward her until I’m close enough to pull the knife from the sheetrock, then touch the tip of the blade to my finger for emphasis.
“It’s not a good idea to make fun of the only man between you and the Russian mob,” I tell her in a low, even tone.
She swallows, and I’m mesmerized by the movement of her throat—so delicate. So vulnerable.
“I … I wasn’t making fun of anyone but myself and the mess I’m in. I figured my death would be the best-case scenario for you. No more inconvenient disruption to deal with.”
My gaze is locked on the feminine slope of her neck, pulse point flickering like an erratic flame. We’re close. Too close. It makes me want to be even closer.
“The disposal of a body is more of a pain than people realize,” I say distractedly as I give in to the temptation and allow the backs of my knuckles to trail down the soft skin of her neck.
“I suppose you’d know about that sort of thing.” She swallows again, her eyes finding mine. “What would you do with my body?” Her words hang in the air, and even I can hear the double meaning. I can’t imagine what would bring her to make such an innuendo, but it’s dangerous for both of us.
“Don’t ask questions unless you’re willing to learn the answer.” My gravelly warning lingers between us for a handful of heartbeats before I drag myself away and back to cooking.
Neither of us chances conversation again during breakfast. She helps with the dishes, though I take over to make sure everything is cleaned properly. She goes back to her room while I wait for Sante to arrive. I’m not about to shower or leave my place unsupervised with her here. My cousin and his wife can babysit since they’re the ones who put me in this mess.
As soon as they arrive, Amelie goes in search of Danika. I half expect Sante to object to his wife being alone in a room with an unknown threat, but I seem to be the only one who sees the potential danger. I still sense that something about Danika doesn’t add up.
“How was your night?” Sante asks, fighting back a smirk.
“You don’t want to know.” I glower at him, refusing to admit I spent the night handcuffed to Danika in her bed. I’d never hear the end of it.
His brows climb on his forehead. “Didn’t figure she’d be too much of a handful, but I get it. I know I told Amelie we’d look into things before we sent the girl packing, but I was thinking. This could be a really great opportunity for us to gain some leverage with the Russians—or even just some goodwill.”
“What are you saying?” I think he’s talking about handing her over to Biba, but I hope I’m wrong because just the suggestion has rage coiling deep in my muscles.
He shrugs. “I figure if she got herself into this mess, it’s her own fault. We might as well use our good fortune to our advantage. Who knows what it could be worth for Biba to owe us a favor.”
“It’s not happening, so forget about it,” I ground out harshly.
Sante stills, his eyes narrowing. “What? Last night, you couldn’t wait to get rid of her.”
“Yeah, that doesn’t mean I want to hand her over to Biba.”
“Something goin’ on I should know about?”
“Nothing going on so long as you don’t do anything stupid.”
“And turning her over would be stupid,” he says slowly as if mulling over the words as he says them.
I nod, satisfied.
My cousin grins, confusing me.
“What?” I demand.
“Just never thought I’d see it happen.”
“See what happen?”
