brutal

Chapter 29

VERENA

Out of all the nights I had spent in Paris as both Brutal and Verena throughout my twenty-two years of living, tonight was definitely counting to be the most memorable of all.

With careful steps, I navigated through the rock-riddled path on my heels as I watched Roman carry an unconscious Jacobi in his arms, the blood on his nose still barely dry from the incident earlier.

I had returned to him at his table after my less-than-professional reconnaissance with Kai in the restroom. He had wrapped an arm around my shoulders on instinct and I would have amputated it from the very bone had I not remembered my persistence of assuming Yuna's role of seduction.

I knew what to do, but it didn't necessarily mean I liked it.

And just when I thought Kai's return would make Anton a bit more restricted, he proved me wrong by doing the complete opposite.

Kai unbuttoned his suit jacket before sitting down next to me. My mind insisted on watching him, if only to lessen the tension of my body from having Jacobi's arm around me. It was at that very moment that I realized how I'd rather be in the presence of my enemy than some fucker who didn't know any better.

"You shagged someone, mate?" Harris asked with a chuckle. When Kai looked at him, he pulled me closer to him and began rubbing his hand on my skin.

Kai eyed his movements with watchful eyes, but not too much to put Harris on edge. We were, after all, still on a mission.

"I was gone for barely fifteen," Kai replied coolly. "If you think that was enough time for me, then you were clearly misinformed."

Harris let out a guffaw, missing the way Kai looked at me and winked with a knowing smile. I rolled my eyes at him and found myself leaning into Harris's hold. I hated the way he kept me so close, but seeing Kai's face fall made it so much more worth it.

A few moments later, and many unsettling whispers from Harris that he probably thought was the biggest turn-ons ever, a friend of his walked up to the table and greeted him enthusiastically. Harris stood up and shook hands with him, Kai later even offering a kind smile when Harris's friend greeted him. Kai downed his drink after.

"You should've intercepted him already," he said casually while fidgeting with his ring. He kept his gaze on the stage where a middle-aged woman was giving a speech about some life-changing project she launched in Africa.

I lightly tapped my finger on the table. "I'm waiting for the perfect opportunity. It's too early for me to attempt anything."

"Princess, if you had asked him from the get-go, we would've been done hours ago. Any time is the perfect opportunity."

"What makes you think so? You wouldn't comply so easily if you were my target."

"I am not Jacobi, and on the contrary, I would very much comply. Even knowing that you would lead me to my very inevitable death, I would follow you anywhere and do whatever as long as you ask me to."

I stiffened when Kai bent slightly and pulled on one of the legs of my chair closer to him. When barely any space was left between us, I looked at him with wide eyes. "What the hell are you doing?" I whispered. Behind us, Harris was none the wiser as he continued his conversation.