Page 85 of Devil’s Reign
“Is that really necessary? You know I'm good for it,” Charlie interrupts before I can say anything. Not that I had anything to say for myself.
The security guard's face closes off. “She forgot her ID? You've got to stop bringing people in who forget their IDs. Let them learn the lesson the hard way.”
“Can’t do that when I know what that feels like.”
The guard stares at him for a long moment, then grunts. “Trunk.”
Charlie pops it without hesitation. The guard circles to the back of the car, and I sit very still and breathe very quietly while a thorough inspection happens somewhere behind my head. When he’s done, the trunk lid drops with a bang that makes me jolt in my seat. Charlie catches it and gives me a small, reassuring smile. Then the gates slide open, and we're in. Charlie drives past the huge warehouse towards a cluster of smaller buildings, and I make myself breathe.
“There’s admin.” He points at a red-roofed building in the distance as he parks the car.
“Thank you so much,” I tell him, super grateful. I couldn’t have made it in without him.
“No problem.” He winks. “So… should I look forward to that coffee later or just fuck off? Either option is fine by me.”
Despite myself, I laugh at his cheekiness. “Coffee sounds good.” The lie slips out easily, and it sits badly. He’s genuine, this one. I’m sorry I won’t actually be buying him coffee. I’m sorry for a lot of things today.
“I’ll hold you to that, Penny.”
We get out of the car, and he gives me a small wave before opening the back seat and starting to haul the crates out. I linger for a second. “Do you need help with those?”
He waves me off. “Go on in. You’ll have to check in manually now since you didn’t pass the ID check at the gate.”
“Ugh, yeah, you’re right.”
I start towards the building he pointed out, forcing myself to keep a steady pace, throwing the occasional glance over my shoulder. By the time I reach the entrance, he’s already disappearing into another building, crates stacked high in his arms.
The second he's out of sight, I pivot and walk back the way I came, every step feeling like it's being watched.
Nobody stops me or looks twice. Passing the security check at the gate buys you the right to move around inside without explaining yourself, apparently, which is the only thing working in my favor right now.
Still, my pulse increases as I approach the warehouse. I cast a glance around, then reach for the door and push it open.
42
IVAN
I take the stairs two at a time, my footsteps ringing against the steel. Every step feels like a damn alarm, like it’s announcing me to whoever is on the other side of that door. But I push faster anyway, chest tight, eyes scanning for cover—The door opens.
I freeze mid-step, then drop into a crouch, my back flattening against the wall, my pulse hammering in my throat. Dima and Aleksei will be here any minute. Fuck. I need whoever this is to move further into the warehouse before they come in. The footsteps below are single. One person.
I edge towards the railing, careful not to let the steel groan under my weight. Then I look down, and my stomach drops so fast it takes my breath with it.
Melani.
She’s supposed to be at the suite. With my men. Safe.
What the fuck is she doing here?
Relief hits first—it's her, not someone who could've exposed me—but shock swallows it almost instantly. Then fear. The kind that lives in the gut rather than the mind. She shouldn’t be here. Not in this place. Not anywhere near what’s about to happen.
Every nerve in my body is screaming to move, to get down there and drag her the hell out of there. I’m on my feet to do just that. She hears me on the stairs and looks up fast, her face draining of color when our eyes meet.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I growl, barely controlling the urge to jump the last few steps. How the hell did she even get in? How did she get past the security?
“The same reason you’re here.” She lifts her chin. “To gather information.”
“I’m going to fucking kill Boris,” I snap, grabbing her arm and yanking her into my chest.
