Free Prime Target by Marquita Valentine Page B

sides. “How fortuitous to run into you in Paris.”
    Crossing my arms over my chest, I keep my gun visible. Judging by Viktor’s stance and words, he is here to relay a message, not to be on my side. It is the way of things in our world. “You have information for me?”
    Nodding once, he scans the room. His dark gaze notes the purse Everly left behind. “Where is she?”
    “In bed.” I take a step to the right, fully blocking his view of the hallway that leads to her and refusing to say more.
    “An assassin is quiet in all things, Nikolai. He allows his prey to spill his secrets before he drains him.” My grandfather looks upon me with pride, and then at the body on the floor, blood forming a grotesque halo around the head. “Brilliant work, Kolya.”
    Is Viktor my prey?
    Viktor mutters a curse. “Those who desire your services sent me to check on you. To make sure that Ms. Andrews is with you, and you are agreeable to their terms.”
    Cold dread digs deeper inside of me. “First, I’m taking her to meet Grandfather.”
    “You can’t get out of this. Not even the great Dmitri Romanov can save your half-brother,” Victor assures me.
    Perhaps he can’t. Or he will refuse to do so. But it’s worth a shot to find out if he knows a hit has been placed on his grandson. It’s worth risking everything to get his help, if it means that Everly remains alive.
    I slash a hand through the air. “ Blyad . It was the only way I could get her to come.”
    Viktor laughs. “An old-fashioned abduction too good for you?”
    “After we’d been seen by half the city walking around her neighborhood, and then eating in a popular restaurant—yes.”
    Viktor runs a hand along the wood grain on the interior walls of the cabin, his gaze on me. His mouth twists a little. “How is Ms. Andrews feeling?”
    Feeling ? Oh, fuck me. The attendant had produced the pills she’d needed a little too quickly, but I had allowed my concern to override my natural distrust.
    “What did you do?” I start for the bedroom, but Viktor catches me by the arm, twisting it behind my back. Sharp pain radiates from my shoulder, as if I’ve been shot once again.
    “I did my job.”
    There’s a pinch in my neck, and I go lax. The room spins. I close my eyes to stop it.
    Viktor’s voice is barely audible as he says, “Now do yours before Ms. Andrews is killed.”
    My body becomes light, insubstantial, like I’m made of air. My cheek connects with the carpet, a jarring surprise. Struggling to keep my eyes open, I force them to focus on Viktor. He’s bent over me, his face impassive.
    “You have two weeks,” he says, straightening.
    My world goes dark.
    *
    I wake up with a start and a sharp intake of air. The room is cold and warm at the same time. Rubbing my eyes, I force them open, startled to find myself in a bedroom. In bed.
    My clothes are missing and my head hurts like a bitch, but I’m otherwise fine.
    However, none of that matters.
    “Everly,” I whisper, grabbing the covers. I have to find her. I have to—
    “What time is it?” a groggy voice asks.
    I freeze, then turn my head. I blink and then blink again. “Everly,” I choke out, and then pounce on her, turning her face this way and that. I search her beautiful face, her pretty eyes, and glowing skin to make sure she’s real.
    You’re not dead. “You can’t be real.” Relief fills me, and I want to kiss her. I want to press her down into the mattress and have my way with her. But I can’t. Instead, I sit back on my legs, scrubbing my face with the heel of my hand.
    A smile curves her lips. “I’m real.” Her gaze flicks down my body, to where I’m straddling her legs, and then back up again. “Nice pajamas.”
    Reaching out, I touch the lace of her bra, and then trail my fingers down her body to the panties that match. She sucks in a breath, her stomach contracting. She’s a vision in pink and white lace. I swallow. Hard. “Very real,” I murmur.
    “Where are