Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,6

his vehicles, the BMW he’d chosen tonight didn’t have dark tinted windows. Was it armored? Probably.

Kristof cut no corners—a fact Addy admired even though she hated why it was necessary. He thrived within an unsavory, illegal, and treacherous world where he was the king, the one everyone sought to do business with.

“There are facets of my business you shouldn’t see.”

Addy’s gaze cut to the closed partition separating them from Ivan. “We were clear on this from the beginning. I go where you go. No exceptions. No judgments. We don’t give a damn what you’re involved with, not right now. There’s only one thing we care about.” The missiles.

Kristof unbuttoned his suit jacket. She allowed herself a few seconds to admire the snug crawl of fabric across his broad chest. It was one of the tells she’d noted last week. Anytime he was uncomfortable, he buttoned or unbuttoned the Kevlar-lined blazer and redirected his gaze.

“That was before the auction got pressed back, not once but twice. This objective wasn’t supposed to take this long.”

“We aren’t going anywhere until we’ve found what we’re looking for. Trust me, this is the very last place I want to be,” Addy said. Her stomach somersaulted as his gaze returned to her. His lips thinned as he thumped a fist against the window.

“You’re finally ready to address what happened last time?”

“No. That’s never a discussion topic.”

“The Addy I knew wouldn’t shy away from an uncomfortable conversation. She’d want to clear the air.”

“That Addy died a long time ago. You never knew her.”

“You’re wrong.” His voice lowered. “We will discuss what happened that night before you leave Moscow.”

Like hell they would. She’d buried everything that went down the last time he’d helped The Arsenal recover Zoey’s friend from an illegal auction. It’d never see the light of day. No good came from discussing the past, especially the parts where her life had briefly intersected with Kristof through the years.

Once this mission was over, she’d never see him again.

The vehicle pulled to a stop outside the tenement-style apartment building she’d taken up residence in. She opened the door and stepped out. Cool air rushed across her skin and whipped her hair in her face.

“We will discuss this later,” Kristof said.

“No. We won’t.” Addy glared down at the man. “Call me when you’re going to your meetings. I go where you go. Don’t cross me. You won’t like the consequences.”

Kristof smirked. “I’d almost welcome them for a chance to clear the air between us.”

They’d never clear the air. Too much violence and death lurked within the chasm their chaotic lives created. Addy slammed the door and headed toward the apartment entrance. She paused at the door as Ivan pulled away.

Beast exited the building and drew her into a forced hug. “Fuck, Red. Not sure how many more of those bouts we can handle.”

Her second-in-command never treaded lightly into a conversation. She pulled away and took a moment to study his face. The streetlamp nearby cast his short, blond hair with pale light that accentuated the jagged scar running from his right eye across his cheek, where it ended near the cleft in his chin. A day’s growth peppered his jawline and spotlighted his thinned lips.

Anger and determination resonated within his turbulent brown gaze. He glanced at the parking lot and cracked his knuckles. Yep, he wasn’t happy. Knuckle cracking was one of the only tells the man exhibited when stressed.

“This shit can’t continue, Red.” He charged head-first into the fray and stood his ground.

“The fights are ending.” Addy headed down the cracked sidewalk. His long stride caught up with her quickly as they entered the building and made their way up the stairs.

Even though the Maryino District was heavily populated, most residents were day laborers or other people who kept their heads down and their mouths shut. No one caused problems if they were left alone.

Beast grasped her arm and drew them to a halt. “Everyone’s worried.”

“The fights are worth it if we can find some of Yesim’s crew. The sooner we get those missiles, the better.” Addy hurried her pace.

“Kristof isn’t a fan either. If the promoter is getting pissed, that’ll cause more trouble than it’s worth,” Beast said. “One more week, then you’re done with that shit. The auction is in a couple weeks. We’ll either find another way before then, or we’ll take them down at the auction.”

Addy swallowed the argument poised on her tongue. Although she was the team leader, she recognized Beast’s determined voice.