Page 70 of Crimson Love

He tags me behind the head and leans in to kiss my forehead. “None of them will happen. You have one job, and that’s to get him to talk. You know what we need him to say. We’ll take care of the rest. Oh, and Bella’s associate, Jarvis, is heading to Florida. He was on his way back to Washington and changed his course. They tracked Andrei’s phone pinging back to a port near Tampa. If there are client files or ledgers, he’ll find them.”

“They’re just going to send someone to search his yacht? Andrei is dangerous, and he has dangerous friends. They need to know that.”

Jett smirks and shakes his head. “I’m just getting to know this group, baby, but from what I’m getting, they’re not worried about danger. Their job is to walk into danger and eliminate it. They just don’t usually work in our country. A boat will be a piece of cake.”

“But they don’t even know me. Why would they do any of this?”

“They’re doing it for Devon, and Devon is doing it for Harlow.”

“Doing what for Harlow?”

We turn and see the subject at hand walk around the corner from the bedroom. “I was giving Lennon the condensed version of Bella and her coworkers.”

Harlow shoots me a knowing look, which might make me feel better if I actually knew something. “They’re very good at what they do. Devon knows them well and has worked with them often. Don’t worry about them.” She hands me a tote bag that’s nicer than anything I own. “Here is everything you’ll need and more. Purses, jewelry, and I threw in some extra stuff just because. I don’t need any of it back.”

I don’t look inside that bag. It’s heavy enough, I can’t imagine what’s in it. “I can’t accept this.”

“Of course you can. You’re doing Devon a favor—he’ll have more room for custom suits and Italian leather shoes. Which means you’re doing me a favor too. I had so much fun today. When all this is said and done, we’ll have a chance to get to know each other better.” Harlow reaches out and gives my hand a squeeze. “Good luck tonight. With what you’ve been through so far, this meeting will be a piece of cake. Jett will never leave your side, and you have an army of experts behind you.”

“Thank you, Harlow. For the girl time, the dresses, and the distraction. I haven’t had friends for a long, long time.”

“Not anymore,” Harlow insists. “This is your new normal. Right, Jett?”

I turn to look up at Jett. His gaze on me is intense. I’m not sure if it’s about me or Andrei. Hell, it could be about the last few days. I’m overwhelmed in the worst and best ways.

“Right,” Jett agrees and holds out his free hand for me. “Let’s get this shit done.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

SHADE OF BLOOD

Lennon

I don’t feel like myself other than my thrift-store heels. They’ve become one with me and fit like we were made to stalk into the sunset and live happily ever after. I wear them every day. Even if Harlow had red-soled shoes that fit me, I’d prefer my trusty thrift-store besties.

I’m not sure what came over me while I was getting ready in Jett’s hotel room, but I’ve become a bundle of nerves to the power of extreme. I’m about to come face to face with the man who has controlled every piece of my life.

What I ate.

What I wore.

How I was to act around his clients.

What was engrained in me for years doesn’t just go away, no matter how free I am. And I’m about to come face to face with the man who threatened me with torture worse than death.

I wish I had the nerve to walk into that dining room with my head held high. I got where I am all on my own, after all, and Andrei doesn’t know that I have a small army lurking in the shadows in case something goes south. Or that the man I gladly let strip me naked to deliver the first orgasm that wasn’t produced by me is carrying a weapon.

You know ... just in case.

I don’t want to think about the just in case. After what I’ve seen over the years, the just in case isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.

I have one job, and I need to muster the confidence to do it. Harlow gave me a slew of dresses and wasn’t shy in telling me which one is her favorite. It’s the shortest and tightest one. It fits every curve and dips between my breasts, even though I don’t have much to offer in that department, which means I’m not wearing a bra. Not that I have one that works with this dress.

If the fit wasn’t enough to demand attention, the color will. It’s a red so deep, it looks more like the color of a dry red wine.

If power had a color, this would be it.

If confidence was a logo, I’d be its sponsor.