The loud blow horn of the ship explodes in my ear as I and all the passengers walk off. As I walk, I never let my eyes off Hugo and Sully.
I look down at my watch and flick my finger on the GPS tracker before I drop my arm to the side.
"Terry!" my voice booms behind me as I turn my head and body to find Seth beelining his way to me. "Man, there are many people here in a hurry." He breathes. "So, where are we staying at?" He asks as I call out for a cab before I can give him a deadpan expression.
"We?" I repeated the word.
"Yeah, we." He smiles, followed by the dimple on the right side of his cheek. I suck in air to keep myself from falling. He and his damn brothers have those dimples that no one can resist. That is why Effie, Lily, Claire, and Thea all ended up with one brother, and the only one is the joker of the bunch. And I'm stuck with him on this trip.
Nope, I won't fall into his trap by flashing his smile. I need to concentrate on his mission.
A few young girls around the age range of high school to college all caught a glimpse of Seth, giggled, and even as try to sneak a picture to worship him like some fucking god.
"We aren't staying together. I am." I point to him and then direct my finger at him. "You will do whatever you want and have fun."
"Aw, come on, Terry." He whines and pouts, puckering his lips. "I can't be alone."
"Seth, this isn't some vacation trip," I could hear my voice rising and take glances at the people around me still waiting in their cab. Before I could continue to argue, the cab driver said something in Spanish, gesturing if I would get in because he had places to go and people to drive. I answer him as he mutters the word 'Americans.'
I groan as I sigh, rubbing my face and looking at Seth's pitiful face. With one duffle bag, I throw it inside and stick my head inside, followed by Seth, who gets excited. Once he closed the cab door, I leaned forward, speaking in his language to take me to this address.
On the way, I never take my eyes off the window while Seth scans the city of Barcelona. "Wow, it's beautiful here." He gasps and takes pictures off his phone.
I snort at his behavior like a little kid. I've been here occasionally but took a private jet instead of a cruise. My purpose in taking the cruise line was to keep an eye on Hugo and Sully.
My phone chimes as I unlock the screen to see a text from Kendall.
Kendall: Cap, They moved the auction to tonight.
My brows furrow as I type.
Me: What?! I thought it would be in less than three days. I already have Hugo on the tracker.
Kendall: That was the plan, but Madam Red won't appear in Barcelona. According to our sources, she heard someone was after her and ran.
What the fuck is going on?!
I let out a growl, irritated and pissed. I type the keyboard on the screen.
Me: Someone in our agency is a rat. Which is why she isn't here to attend the auction.
Now I know why Hugo tagged along with Sully. He is her representative in the auction. Hugo never leaves his master's side.
Me: Do all that you can to find the mole. Somebody within our agency is doing this for her.
Kendall: I'll see what I can, but it will take time. It's like finding a needle in a haystack.
Me: Take your time and report back to me—Also, contact Ghost. I need him to come to Barcelona now.
When the cab stopped because there was traffic ahead, the driver was shouting curse words to keep it moving. On the other hand, Seth had his head out the window and catcalled at the women, who shied away and giggled.
I groan, and at the same time, Kendall texts back.
Kendall: Right now, he is in Ghana dealing with the bandits terrorizing the village and the water supply there. But why do you need him?
Me: I need him to be my date.
The cab finally stops in front of the hotel. I grabbed my things and paid for the taxi with Seth behind me. We walked inside to stand in front of the receptionist.
"Hello, welcome to Hotel Art Barcelona," A young man greets us with a smile. "May I take your name, please."
"Hi, last name Romanoff, first name Nicolai," I say in my most Russian accent.
"What? but your name is- OW!" Seth screeched, bending down to his feet where I stepped on. I glare at him to keep his mouth shut.
The young man types something on his computer and looks up at us. "Ah, yes, Mr. Romanoff. Presidential Suite." He looks down, and once he returns, he hands me the card key. "Here are your keys and room number. There is information about room service and connection to the wi-fi. If you have any questions, please call the front desk. Have a good stay, Mr. Romanoff, and welcome to Barcelona."
Of course, a presidential suite. Odin must have changed it to the last minute, knowing Seth is with me. I couldn't argue nor complain, but a suite?
"Thank you," I smile and walk away, dragging Seth, struggling to walk.
"What the hell was that for?" He asks once I ring the elevator. The doors slid, and we both went inside. I push the number to the presidential suite. "Why is the reservation of your room under a different name?"
"Like I said, Seth, I'm not here for a beach summer vacation." I look up at him sternly. "I'm here on a job, and hiding under an alias is one step. I don't want my enemies to know I am here."
"Well, you don't look like a Nicolai," He states. "You are more of an Alex or Dimitri or-"
"Can you please shut up," I growl, and at the same time, the doors open to a hall.
Walking down the hall and halt in front of the room. I use the card key to open it.
"Holy fuck!" Seth smiles. "Look at this room."
He makes his way touring the whole suite. It's a beautiful suite with wide-open windows to see the view of Barcelona, a place for gathering, a kitchen, a laundry area, and two bedrooms. I open the door on the right and enter the master bedroom. Drop my bag. I hear a chime from my back pocket, pulling out my phone. There needs to be a text message from Kendall.
Kendall: A date? For the auction?
Kendall: Are you finally going to wear the dress I had packed for you?!!
I could imagine her screaming and squealing through my ear. Having an IQ of a genius, Kendall loves to take risks outside her box, full of computer equipment covered with pink and glitters and unicorns. She reminds me of Penelope Garcia from Criminal Minds but much perkier and bubbly.
Reading the text over, I gasped.
Me: You packed what?
In distress, I open up my duffle bag and dig through and, with wide eyes, horrified a black velvet dress with glitter materials. I pull it out and study the design. It's a strapless, even gown dress with flower lace material.
Kendall: I got you matching shoes, and they should be there in your hotel room now.
As I read, I turn to the fancy white box on the bed. I reach for it and open it to find black four-inch heel pumps. I quickly shut it back.
Me: Kendall.
I shove the dress back as I look over my shoulder, ensuring Seth isn't creeping behind me. I groan.
I grab my phone and start to type.
Me: I am not wearing the dress. Are you insane?!
Kendall: You wanted to dress female for the auction because you had a plan, and since it's tonight, I don't think you can find another outfit. Besides, you will look hot, like smoking hot. With a body like yours, I would fall for you if I were male.
Kendall: Please don't say anything to Gunner. He's worried that since I have female celebrity crushes each day of the week, he thinks I will become a lesbian. But I shouldn't be the one talking when he only talks about his precious Kylie Jenner. Seriously, what does he see in her?
I let out a snort. Kylie Jenner is pretty hot. No lie.
I groan even louder.
Me: Kendall, back to the dress. I can't wear something that will reveal the tattoo. You remember, don't
Kendall: I got that all covered. Someone will deliver a box in a few minutes, and inside is what you will hide the tattoo.
Kendall: Also, I heard from Odin that a particular hot male specimen followed you on the cruise.
She adds winking emojis to her message.
Oh god, please kill me.
Kendall: Why can't you ask him to be your date?
Me: Seth doesn't know I'm a woman.
Kendall: Oh...yeah.
Me: Plus, I don't want him involved.
It was hard to control myself with Seth standing by me this whole time. Being alone with him in the elevator was driving me insane. The smell of his cologne filled my nose and created these unknown feelings inside. I couldn't pinpoint what I was feeling when I was with Seth. It is different when I'm around the men in my team. They can make me feel like this mysterious emotion than what Seth can do. I shake my head.Me: Call Ghost and tell him to get his ass over here now!!I command and put my phone down. I brush my hair back and look back at the shoe box. "Hey, Terry," I hear Seth's voice behind me, then a knock on the door. I panic, push the shoe box off the bed, and sit down as if nothing happened. Seth stops and looks at me oddly. "Is everything okay?""Yeah," I shrugged and gave my best smile to assure him not to take a glance at the shoebox on the floor. When he starts to tilt his head to the side. I kick the box further back until it's invisible to see. "Why wouldn't it be?"
I'm going out of my mind and will make Kendall pay for making me wear this uncomfortable dress. Don't get me wrong, it's not tight or anything. I don't particularly appreciate showing my bare shoulder area and cleavage where anyone can see. Also, it has a slit-up leg part as the dress flows elegantly around me.I found a few men looking at me, and I suddenly felt sick."Can you stop fidgeting," Ghost says through his teeth.Once we arrived at the auction house, it was in a private lot owned by The Order. Before entering, he handed me a masquerade mask as the invite suggested to keep the buyers anonymous. Although the auction was only a way to attract the rich, displaying rare antiques for the show, the real one is beneath the lot. To enter such a secret auction, you need a stamp of their sigil - a crow.Crows are said to be known for their clairvoyance and foresight. But the crow being used in the Order has a deeper meaning. Because they are considered wise, they are also known to br
I washed my hands, scrubbing off the imaginary dirt from how I was feeling on Hugo. Just the thought of a stranger made a twist in my stomach.It takes work for me to get used to men touching me. The men in my team had to avoid physical contact before I could claim they weren't a threat. I had to build trust in myself than in them.Now that I'm here in the restroom, it's time. I have to get rid of the guard to continue my search. I glance down at my watch with the red dot still blinking."It's below," I mumble. Is there another basement? I was scanning around this large fancy marble restroom with bright ass lights. I find an air vent at the end of the aisle of bathroom stalls.Crouching in front of it, I pull out my tools from my purse, and with a mini-screwdriver, I unscrew the nails. With the last screw, a loud bang made my head turn."Hey, are you done in there?" Robert yells on the other side of the door, making his voice bounce off the restroom walls.Shit!Putting my tool back
Scanning the dark surroundings, I can feel a movement in the corner. I slowly take each step.In the corner, I flash my light, curl up, and hide its face. I lean closer. A little girl reveals to me. She has dirt all over herself that I can't tell. The only thing I could tell was her eyes. They flash rich hazel color. She huddles herself, scared.I lower my gun and put it back in its holster, "Hey," I say quietly, not to scare her off. "I'm not here to hurt you.""W-who...who are you?" She asks, with a stutter. She's terrified."I'm someone who will get you out of here." I reach for her, but she pulls herself back."No!" She whispers, screaming. "If Mama Eva knows I'm gone, she will hurt me. She will hurt the others."She's talking about the other children that were brought here. Luckily, I'm not worried since Ghost is doing his job on the other end.I pull up a small smile. "Don't worry, a friend of mine will save them.""But...but..." she looks away and hugs her legs tight. "Mama Eva
I can hear the Order men closing in, and if they see one of their comrades dead and the other passed out, this whole side quest operation will end."O-okay," she whispers, and just as she takes my hand, footsteps are heard above us.I pulled Persephone behind me, pulled my gun out from my holster, and hid under the stairs."What the fuck?" An Order man shouts. "Who the fuck did this?"Heavy shoes creak the wooden floor above us as they survey the scene. While they are up there, I planned to get the both of us out alive. Fragile hands held onto my dress tight. I look down at Persephone with her eyes closed and her body shaking. It must be scary for her to trust a stranger like me to get her out. But I had no choice but to take it with me. I hold her with my free arm."Shit, check the perimeter. This fucker didn't get too far." says Order men one ordered. "Nestor, check the girl.""Man, why must I check the brat?" complains Nester."Just do it," says Order Man one and snaps at Nestor. "
"Are you just going to sit there and sulk all day?" I say to the oversized kid sitting across the room, glaring at me, and I can't help but laugh in my head.Since we arrived in Los Angeles, staying in one of Odin's summer homes, I had to put an innocent act in front of Seth. I had to change from the bloody dress I had worn, remove all my makeup, and it's right back to an XL T-shirt and sweats.Persephone looked at me oddly when she first witnessed me binding my chest. I had to inform her it's part of a persona of mine, and it needs to be kept a secret.The following day, after one of Odin's family doctors came to check on me, I read through the reports from Kendall. Seth came busting in like there was a fire, and he gave one look at me, and all hell went loose.He kept wailing and screaming about how stupid and reckless I was to go on a mission alone. Of course, it was my duty, and I also had some teammates with me. Seth had taken his eyes off me and glared at Ghost and Gunner. They
I stand in front of Persephone's room, wondering how she is doing. After Seth left to grab food, I decided to check on her.With my nose close to the dark oak door, I raise my hand and knock on the door. Once I hear her voice, I open, take a peek inside, and find her sitting on the bed with her back against the headboard and her knee up under her chin. The worried look in her eyes makes me want to hold her until there is no crest on her forehead.I never had this feeling before, not with all the kids I have rescued. Whenever I see Persephone, I want to keep her hidden from the world that would harm her. It's like some instinct. She and I just met, and suddenly, I want to protect her. The first time I see her in a critical state, although she is properly pampered, a special childlike Persephone is nothing but treated as an object. Eva will keep her until she is in good use. Just like me.I remembered the day I was adopted, and I felt special. It was my big day, and although I had to le
I stand in front of the room where Persephone is sleeping deeply.After our lunch meal, the three of us, Seth, Persephone, and I talked; we had Sebastian, one of the butlers, bring us some of the board games, and because Persephone was unfamiliar with them, she became a pro. She even beat Seth in his favorite board game - Monopoly.Persephone became so rich she made Seth lose lots of play money. He even whines and cries like a baby. He was sitting in the corner, feeling ashamed. We just laughed at him, which made him look at us with a glare on his defeated face, and we laughed even more challenging than our stomachs hurt.After a two-hour Monopoly game, Seth wants to regain his title but can't beat a thirteen-year-old girl.I watched how Persephone got used to us being around during that time. Before I met her, she was a scared child eager to escape hell. It didn't take long for her to trust me, but she did because I promised her I would. While she and Seth were getting closer, I took