Page 92 of The Games of Madmen

A bark of laughter rattles my shoulders. “It’s a weapon.” I pluck it free and push down on the silver rose protruding from a silver band. The rose flips like a lid and a small blade shoots up about two inches.”

Her gasp and astonishment are real, and my heart does some fluttering shit. “It’s stacked in there like a pyramid. That is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.” She reaches for it, and I quickly close the rose lid.

“It’s razor-sharp all around and not just the tip, Alyona, so don’t accidently touch it if you ever need to get it out.”

“I love it, thank you.”

“I love you,” I murmur as I slip it down her finger and grin when it fits perfectly.

A shadow moves to our right. Alyona notices and asks, “Who is that?”

It’s just a giant at the end of the bar with no facial expression. He looks like the Grim Reaper.

“That’s Jason,” I say, waving a hand toward him. “He will accompany you around.” I tell her as casually as I can muster, like it’s normal for the fucking Hulk to follow her around.

“A bodyguard?” she asks incredulously.

“A reassurance,” I placate, holding my hands up in surrender. Viktor recommended him.

“He’s abodyguard.”

“Just be a good girl and do this for us.”

Defiance glimmers in her eyes. “You do know you trained me to look after myself.”

“Yes, love.” I capture her lips, dragging kisses up her face until my lips reach her ear. “Do this for us and we’ll do unspeakably nasty things for you later.”

“Fine. But I need to go get groomed and do some shopping first.”

Pulling a wad of cash from my pocket, I tuck it down her shirt, biting my lip when I get a glimpse of the swell of her tits. “Get whatever you need.”

“I have money.” She frowns, plucking it out and holding it between her fingers like a cigarette.

“We have more. Indulge me, please.” I place my hands together in prayer.

“Fine.” She jabs a finger playfully into my chest, her expression a mix of frustration and amusement. “You do owe me panties. Not a single pair of mine has survived you and your brother’s mischief.” Her cheeks flush a deeper shade of crimson as she glances around, remembering that we aren’t alone in the room. “Jason’s very quiet.”

“Shame you’re not,” Nikita suddenly announces, entering the bar with a clipboard and pen. “Rodion, Rick wants to talk to you about the Octagon.” She comes to stand beside me, so close her arm brushes mine deliberately, while smiling pleasantly at Alyona.

Stepping into her space, Alyona asks, “Have you ever been inside an Octagon ring, Nikita?” There’s a threat in her demeanor, and it sends my semi-hard cock to full salute.

“I’m a lover, not a fighter,” Nikita drawls, her eyes scanning up my body and smirking.

My cock shrivels up.

“Well, I’m both,” Alyona tells her, wrapping her palm around my neck and nudging Nikita away. Then, she stands on her toesand crushes her delectable lips to mine. By the time she pulls away, we’re both panting, and Nikita has left. “Oh boo. I was going to show her the fighter too.”

“You’re a menace,” I groan. And feel the urge to tell her I’m only playing when she stares up at me like it’s the last time she will see me.

“I love you,” she says, her eyes closing briefly. “I’m going to say goodbye to Z and Roza. I’ll see you later, yeah?”

“You better, or I’ll chain you to the bed and never let you leave,” I threaten as I watch her sashay down the hall to where Z is. To the Hulk, I growl, “Don’t let her out of your sight.”

“I won’t, sir.”

Walking into the office, I head straight for Roza and pick her up into my arms. Z had one of the workers go buy this portable cot that just springs up like a tent earlier, and it’s been a revelation.

“Have you missed me?” I ask her, blowing raspberries on her tummy. I’ve been in the lower level for most of the afternoon, and now I’m tired, hungry, and in need of Roza cuddles.