Page 169 of Savage Hearts

“I mean, think what we could accomplish!”

I see the mad glint in her eye and know she’s planning something. Like overthrowing all the governments of the world and becoming Supreme Ruler of Earth.

I can already see her throne, a massive structure made of all the souls of the men whose hearts she’s crushed.

“First things first. I need to get back to Russia.”

“There might be a little hiccup with that.”

Sloane and I turn at the sound of Declan’s voice. He stands in the doorway, gazing down at us with his hand on the doorknob and an inscrutable expression on his face.

I say, “Such as?”

“Malek has put the word out. Anyone who assists you in attempting to return to him dies.”

Shocked, I shout,“What?”

“Apparently, he knows you well.”

I leap to my feet and stare at him, vibrating with anger. “Apparently, he doesn’t! Because I’ll swim there if I have to!”

He says gently, “Maybe it’s for the best, lass. You’d never be safe with him now, not with what he’s doing.”

“You mean the way Sloane isn’t safe with you, but she’s still here? You mean the way Nat’s not safe with Kage, but they’re still together?”

He gazes at me for a beat with a million unspoken words spiraling behind his eyes. “Not exactly.”

When he doesn’t continue, I say, “I’ll throat punch you, gangster.”

“Honey, just tell us what’s going on,” says Sloane, standing.

He looks back and forth between us, then looks heavenward and sighs.

“Stop praying and spit it out!”

“There’s this group called the Thirteen,” he starts, but gets interrupted by Sloane, who says, “Group? Like a band?”

Declan mutters, “I told him that name was shite.” Then, louder: “They’re not a band.”

He goes on to describe the plot of a James Bond movie. Bad guys disguised as good guys, good guys disguised as bad guys,international espionage, corrupt governments, I don’t even know what else because I stop listening halfway through.

Sloane says, “Are you in this group?”

“We help each other out from time to time, but I’m not a member.”

“What about Kazimir?”

He looks offended. “No!”

“Don’t get your panties in a wad. I’m just asking.”

I say loudly, “Everybody shut up. I have an important question.”

Sloane and Declan look at me.

“Whoever else is in this stupid international spy-band-whatever group, do any of them have girlfriends or wives?”

Declan says instantly, “Of course.”