Chapter 28

Chapter 28
Sebastian 

As soon as Lan, Luke and I were kicked out of the room leaving Maxim and Willa alone Luke started pacing. I took a minute to examine the apartment. It wasn’t big but a good size for two people to live. Across from Willa’s room there was another door that im guessing was Luke’s room. 

“I hate this shit,” Luke growled. 

“You’re not alone in that,” I say trying my hardest not to glance back at the door where Maxim and Willa were alone. 

I had not right to be angry that she kicked us out, but I didn’t like him monopolizing her time. It’s irational but she seems to have that effect on me. The possessiveness I felt when I knew she was meant to be mine had almost been instinctual. Now she has agreed to marry not only another man but one of my friends. As much as I hated the idea, Maxim was right. I couldn’t offer her the protection he can. 

My attention moves away from my thoughts and back to the room when I hear the sound of Luke blowing out a frustrated breath. I watch him drop onto the couch running a hand down his face. 

“If she goes through with this wedding…will he really be able to protect her? I mean do you think his father might join yours if he keeps targeting them?” His eyes are focused on me and I see the fear in them. 

He cared about Willa…loved her and giving up his job of protecting her to someone else has to be eating him up. 

“Maxim might be an annoying cocky bastard but he’s loyal. He’ll kill anyone who goes after the people he cares about.” I assure him.

“He once shot a guy in the foot for threatening to kick Sebastian’s ass. He told the guy he can’t kick someone’s ass if he didn’t have a working foot.” Lan says.

Luke’s eyes widen. “Well, shit.”

“So you don’t have to worry about him not being able to protect her. Besides…he likes her.” 

We all turn in unison when the door to Willa’s room opens and she steps out. She gives us a playful smile. 

“Alright boys, we’re having a wedding tomorrow.” She lets out a startled sound when Maxim appears and grabs her. 

“You guys can crash with Luke because she’s mine tonight!” He calls out before throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her back inside. 

There are a few words of protest from her before the door slams behind them and a muffled laugh once they are inside again. 

“Great. My girl is spending the night with some prick while I'm stuck with you two.” He stands. “You guys are welcome to crash on the couch. Goodnight.” 

He walks into the only other room and slams the door leaving Lan and me alone. 

“Dibs!” We call out in unison. 

I narrow my eyes on him and he gives me a rare smirk. We throw our hands out between us at the same time. 

“Rock…paper…scissors!” 

“Shit. Best out of three?” I curse when he beats me with a paper to my rock. 

“Nope. Fair is fair. Get cozy on the floor.” He last down on the couch stretching out like a cat. 

It’s very un-Lan like but this is him when he’s relaxed. Lan is stone cold for the most part but when he wants to he can relax and even be not completely unpleasant to be around. 

“I’m not sleeping on the floor. Willa is safe enough here. I’m going home where I can sleep in my own bed.” Buttoning my suit jacket I head for the door. 

“It’s wiser for us to stick together.” Lan muses. 

“Then we need to move somewhere we can all fit. How about the bunker?” 

He makes a show of considering my suggestion. “That could work I suppose. It’s ready for long-term living but do you think they would all want to stay there? It’s not exactly…homey. Don’t women prefer a less cold environment? I suppose we can let Willa arrange things the way she’d prefer.” 

“I’ll get a card set up in her name.” I start to run over a list of things I should get done once I’m home. “We can go out tomorrow and get her whatever she wants.”

“I don’t think she needs our money,” Lan says waving his hand to point out the niceness of the apartment.

As I glance around I wonder if she chose the things here. They seem too basic. It doesn’t look like there aren't any personal touches at all. She must not have a chance to shop, and now it would be pointless since she won’t be staying here. 

“Let everyone know of the new living arrangements,” I say before opening the door and walking out. 

I used one of those ride apps again and ordered a car home. I’m stuck in a Prius for the ten-minute or so drive with a man who seems to be obsessed with horrible joke podcasts. He would release a cackle at every joke. I came close to strangling at least three times before he pulled up the house. Let’s just say I didn’t give him the generous tip I normally would have. I’m not tipping someone for torturing me. 

When I step up to our front door I immediately know there’s something wrong. The first giveaway is that the door is cracked when I know for a fact we closed and locked up before leaving. I pull the gun I keep hidden tucked at my back out and slowly step inside. It’s dark and I don’t bother turning on a light. I know this place like the back of my hand, so walking around it in the dark isn’t a challenge. My steps are silent and slow as I move from room to room on the bottom floor. Not finding anything I start up the stairs to check the next floor. The hallway leading to Maxim’s room is still dark, but I take the time to check each room on that side of the house. 

Nothing. 

Moving on to my side of the house I stop short when I see a faint light in my office. It’s not very bright so I’m assuming it's coming from a flashlight or a phone. Again I keep my steps quiet as I creep down the hall. When I reach the office I slam the door open with my foot and hold my gun firmly in front of me. 

“You must have a death wish,” I say before reaching for the light switch on the wall next to me and flipping it on.

The person steps back in surprise and I hesitate when I see who had the balls to break in here. 

“Don’t shoot! Please!” Her usually screechy-sounding voice only gets worse when she’s scared.

I want to shoot her for being annoying but I don’t…yet.

“What are you doing Dalia? You must be stupid to break in here.” I say still not lowering my gun.

She might be a woman, but I’m going to scare the shit out of her on principle. Besides she doesn’t know or respect my boundaries. 

“Please Seb, put the gun away!” 

“I don’t think so. And only my girl and my friends call me Seb. You are neither.” I click off the safety for maximum effect. 

She cries. “Please. My father told me to do it. Your father wanted information on you and if we got it then he would invest in my father’s business. And-“

“And what?” 

“He said we could come to an arrangement.” 

“My patience is wearing thin Dalia. Better tell me soon or my hand is going to start to cramp and an accident could happen.” I warn her. 

More crying. Gross desperate sobs.

“He said I could have you. We would get married.” She wails and wraps her arms around herself like that would be enough to protect her. 

I lower my gun, flip the safety back on, and slip it back to where I got it. Her words are true. It’s an obvious plan for my father. He wants allies wherever he can get them, and having access to their business could bring in more capital. 

“Is that all?” 

She glances at me and shakes. Her mouth stays shut but she’s nervous which tells me there’s more and she isn’t about to spill it. That’s when an idea comes to mind and I can’t help the wicked smile that forms on my face. I take my phone out and dial Maxim’s number. 

It rings three times before he picks up. “What the fuck do you want?” He growls.

“Put your dick away Max and bring Will to the house. I found a little mouse who doesn’t want to talk. But I think Willa might be able to get what we need from her.” Dalia’s eyes widen.

Maxim chuckles and relays my request to Willa. “She’s in.”