“You go to that man, and I’ll toss him out of this goddamn plane.”
“You’re insane.”
“Maybe, but I don’t make empty threats.”
“I’m not afraid of you.”
“You?” I feel my expression softening as I touch her cheek, expecting her to lash out, but surprised when she doesn’t react or pull away. “You don’t ever have to be, pretty girl. But Benny will regret the day he set eyes on you.”
My words ignite a flame behind her eyes, and she clenches her fists. I’ve just given her the perfect opportunity to use her Russian.
“Sir, we’re flying into a storm. We have to land.” Looks like Benjamin saved both of our asses.
CHAPTER 10
LEAH
Road visibility is nearly nonexistent as a snowstorm rages outside. The closest lodging is a group of cabins belonging to a ski resort. The chances of a room being available, let alone two, are slim. Not during this time of year.
My gaze slides to the rearview mirror, and I glimpse Mikhail muttering something into his phone. I hear him address his younger brother, Roman, but he’s making it a point to speak low enough so that I can’t listen in on their conversation—as if I care. He can go to hell. I’m done with him. Once this drop is over, I’ll be on a plane back to Spain, far enough away that I won’t ever have to think of him.
Tears ignite beneath my lashes, the lie so bitter that a humorless laugh breaks past my lips. Who am I kidding?
He meets my eyes in the reflection, but I tear my gaze away, refusing to let him strip any more of my dignity. I’m not sure how we’ll make it out of this job without killing each other, but I have never regretted my life choices as much as I do at this very moment.
“I can wait here if you want to check for a vacancy,” Conner, our driver, says, addressing me instead of Mikhail, who’s seated in the back seat. I’d let him climb in the car first to gauge where he would sit so I could be as far from him as possible. I know it pissed him off. I could feel the fire of his gaze on the back of my head. Thoroughly satisfied, I decided to add more fuel to that blaze and gave him the finger.
“Are you implying that she is the one to step out into this storm?” Mikhail’s grave tone causes the man beside me to stiffen. “Surely, you meant that you would be right back.”
Conner unbuckles his seat belt without a word and is out of the car before my next breath. “Was that necessary?”
“Absolutely,” he deadpans, his attention back on his phone.
“You’re insufferable.”
“That’s not exactly what you were saying today when my fingers were in your pussy.” “Fuck you!”
The wind howls as it pours into the cabin when I throw open the door and make a run for the entrance.
“Leah, get back inside the goddamn car!” Ignoring him, I trudge through the half-foot of snow toward tall glass double doors and hang my face, dodging the icy chill of winter as it bites at my cheeks and sweeps into my lungs.
Fuck, it’s freezing.
Mikhail’s angry roars reach me as I race past the threshold and into a cozy foyer where dim lights and Christmas decor line a long hallway. I spot our driver standing at the front desk, engaged in what seems to be a heated exchange with the clerk.
“Please, I need a room. You gotta have something, man.”
“We’re booked. It’s five days before Christmas. What you’re asking is impossible.” Conner cusses under his breath. Poor guy. He’ll sell his soul rather than face Mikhail. A strong hand suddenly grips my wrist and whirls me around. “You’re being childish.” The word triggers something inside me, and I slap him before I can stop myself. With
nostrils flaring and a heavy breath rushing from his mouth, he slides a hand into his pocket and, with the other, rubs the reddened spot on his cheek.
“Leah,” he grinds out behind clenched teeth. “We need to talk. But not right now, and not like this.”
I swallow the knot in my throat. “You’re right. Not now or tomorrow.” I turn and move toward the two men, both staring us down with wary expressions. “Maybe I’ll reach out when I’m back in Barcelona... Or not.”
He calls my name again, but I don’t turn around.
“Are you okay, miss?” the older man behind the counter asks.
I nod, annoyed that we’re arguing in public. “I’m fine.”
Before I can say another word, a chorus of alerts blares around us, and in perfect synchronization, we all reach for our cell phones.
Due to the storm, a mandatory county-wide curfew is in effect until 6 a.m. Only then do I notice the wind screeching against the venue’s glass, stronger and more turbulent than it was just ten minutes ago.
We’re stuck. Not only are we grounded from our flight, but now we’re stuck at a resort with no vacancies.
I sigh and rub my temples. All I want is a fucking hot shower and time to myself. Time away from Mikhail.
“Find a room,” I hear him threaten from behind me.
“I— We don’t,” the clerk stutters. “We don’t have a cabin available, sir.”
“I’m sure you do. Look again.”
A part of me feels awful for the poor clerk having to be subjected to Mikhail’s wrath, but I also can’t deny that coercing some reserved room where I’ll be able to shower and relax is in my best interest. Someone had to have gotten caught up in this storm, unable to make their reservation. Maybe it’s selfish, but if anyone can make a deal with the devil himself, it’s a Petrov.
