Odessa

chapter 19 - odette

Leon looks troubled as I tell him this. "You're sure no one spoke Russian?" 

I nod, "I never heard it. And I doubt he would let anyone into his circle that wasn't Italian." 

He looks past me, to the view, before getting up from the bed. 

"Do you want to do this?" 

"I want to help in anyway I can."

He nods, sucking in his bottom lip before reaching out a hand to me and pulling me to the edge of the bed. That should not have been as attractive as it was. 

"We will talk when we get back. I'll get you some pants." He says, walking towards the bathroom door. 

"I can go to my room-" 

"Stay. I'm getting you pants." 

Yes sir. 

-

Taking my hand again, he walks in long strides up the stairs. And even know I've got long legs, I struggle to keep up. 

"Slow down, you're walking so quick." 

I hear him laugh from in front of me before stopping and facing me. "You want me to carry you or what?" 

I smirk. Why not? I reach up my arms, waiting for him to pick me up. 

He sighs, taking off the blazer from the suit he quickly changed into and handing it to me before picking me up, bridal style. 

I laugh as he carried me towards the elevator. Kicking my legs as he lets out a big sigh. 

"Press it." He nods his head to the elevator button. 

I poke it with my foot and it opens almost straight away. He walks in, carrying me like I weigh nothing. 

Nodding his head again to the buttons, I press the basement. 

We stay mostly silent, besides the occasionally laugh I let out and I can tell he's trying to hold his laughter back. 

"I didn't think you'd actually want me to carry you." 

I smile, turning my head to face his, "And yet here we are." 

He finally lets a chuckle out, "Such a princess..." 

"You offered!" I poke his chest as he rolls his eyes. 

Our eyes stay locked, but the chime of the elevator makes us both look to the door. 

He puts me down carefully and I hand him his blazer. His face instantly dropping into that serious one as he clears his throat and the doors open. 

Marco and Nick stand outside, waiting for us near a small hallway next to Leon's office. Nick leans against the wall, arms crossed as we approach, keeping his eyes down. 

How have I never noticed that?

Leon walks ahead of me, ignoring both the men as Nick cuts in front of me, following behind him. 

"Hi Layla." Marco greets me with a small smile, "Sorry to have to drag you down here." 

"It's okay, I'm happy to help." I say, returning his smile. 

He nods, walking behind me as we follow Leon and Nick behind a tall steel door. 

The quiet corridor now filling with groans as soon as the door opens. I wince at the sound. 

Behind the door is a concrete room with glass box placed in the middle. 

A half naked man is strapped to a chair, with 2 other men standing in front of him and a steel table across from the chair.