Dangerous Lovers (87 page)

“You should have told me,” he said accusingly.

Douglas held up his hands. “I know. We got the intel late. There wasn’t enough time to fill you in.”

“All it takes is a phone call.”

“We couldn’t risk you knowing.”

“Because you set me up,” he stated. Douglas hesitated before nodding. “You didn’t know if I would actually be able to withstand Weapon X, so you didn’t want me knowing all the details of your plan. Have I got it about right?”

“We didn’t know Weapon X would be there.”

“Oh! So you assumed Roman would come by and torture me for hours, and at least I wouldn’t have any pertinent info to give him. How’s that?”

Douglas sighed, dragging his hand over his mouth. “I’m sorry you’re upset about this.”

“You’re
sorry
? Oh, well that just makes it all better, doesn’t it?” Pete laughed humourlessly. “You’re unbelievable, you know that? It’s like you’re completely unaware of how your actions affect those around you. I lost a friend today because of this crap. And you lost another daughter. Looks like we’re even, huh?”

“Watch it,” he warned.

Pete stepped closer, bringing himself nose to nose with the General. “I am. I’m watching every bloody thing that’s happening around me. Trust me. You named me second in command, and to me that means something. Next time there’s a plan going on, I need to know about it. No excuses.”

“The council –”

“I don’t give a
shit
about the council, Douglas. They’re a bunch of old, bitter politicians who are only invested in this so they can get their cozy mansions back. They’re not the real rebels here, and you know it.”

“Those old, bitter politicians are what’s funding this resistance.”

“I know. Which is why I tolerate them. But they don’t get to make decisions on who gets to know certain details, and who doesn’t. Got it?”

They stared at each other for a moment before the General nodded his head stiffly.

“Good,” Pete said flatly. “Now I’m going to go make sure my best friend is okay.” He didn’t wait for the other man to reply. With quick steps he was out of the church and on his way to Bridge’s place.

Chapter Eight

This was a bad idea. It had been five days since Ludwig told her to get in with the rebels. She had been pretty sure of herself up until the moment she left her room. Then she chickened out and claimed to have a migraine. By the fourth day of the same excuse Ludwig started to get suspicious. There was no putting it off, and so here she was, standing outside the same rundown pub she had been in before. This time she was alone, unmasked, and scared shitless.

She couldn’t remember being this nervous in years. She wiped her palms on her black tights for the tenth time since she got off her bike. The motorcycle was stashed in the alley across from the pub where she was currently hiding like the wimp she was. What the hell is wrong with her? Normally she wasn’t afraid of anything, but for some reason the thought of walking in there with no mask and no army backing her up had her freaked right out. That, and she knew there was a high probability the green eyed guy would be in there.

The place was a lot more crowded than it had been five nights ago. She could hear the voices from inside all the way from where she stood. You can do this, she told herself. Just walk in there and act like you’re one of them. How difficult can that be? These people are like the same ones she’d grown up with. It couldn’t be that hard to act like a lower again. Sure she had a phone in the inside pocket of her leather jacket, and a pistol tucked in the back of her pants, but that was beside the point.

A few men stumbled out, the sound from inside growing louder while the door was open. She shrank back into the shadows. This was a bad idea, she thought again. Someone was going to say something or do something to piss her off, and everything was just going to go to shit. It was inevitable. Her hot temper always got her in trouble. She’d blow her cover and never be able to show her face amongst the rebels again. Ludwig’s whole plan would be ruined and it would be all her fault. She leaned her head back on the brick wall behind her, looking up at the cloudy sky above. At least it wasn’t raining, she thought positively.

Time to get a hold of myself, she thought. She wasn’t some silly girl who couldn’t handle herself in tough situations. She was Weapon X for crying out loud. Dinah stood up, straightening her jacket and hair. She let the long, dark locks fall in natural waves to her waist. She even bothered to put on make-up, which was saying a lot. She still wore her signature boots with black tights, but hopefully no one would be looking too closely at her footwear.

Dinah crossed the street, avoiding the looks from the men standing outside. She could feel their eyes on her as she approached the front door of the pub. Taking a deep breath, she yanked the door open and walked inside. The place was packed, even more so than she had expected. Loud rock music was playing in the background, barely audible over the sound of voices. She stood awkwardly just inside the doorway, her eyes surveying the crowd. Then, as if drawn by some unseen force, her eyes collided with those familiar green ones that had been haunting her dreams. Over the tops of everyone’s heads their gazes met and locked. This is such a bad idea, she decided.

It couldn’t be. Pete froze in the middle of his story. He was standing behind the table, the dark wood almost invisible beneath all the glasses strewn about. They’d been drinking steadily since six, making him wonder if his vision was now impaired. There was no way who he thought had just walked in was really here. He couldn’t look away from her amazing blue eyes, their colour clear even from this distance.

His friends must have noticed something was up, as they looked over to where she was standing in unison.

“Bloody hell,” Seamus said. “I think I’m in love.”

“Who is
that
?” Garrett asked, leaning back in his chair as far as he could to see her clearly. Pete wished for a second that he’d fall. He also had a sudden urge to slap his best friend upside the head.

“You know her, Pete?” Tent asked curiously.

Seamus’ head whipped around. “Please tell me that glorious thing over there is not here for you.”

She still hadn’t moved from her spot, or looked away. How many times in the last week had he dreamt of this happening? Ever since their meeting he had secretly hoped he’d get to see her again. And now there she stood, a normal girl walking in off the street. He knew better though, and because of that, unease mixed with his initial excitement to see her.

Without answering, Pete moved out from behind the table and pushed his way through the crowd to where she stood. As he drew closer he noticed her long dark hair gently flowing down her back, her pink lips trapped between her teeth nervously, and those dark framed blue eyes wide with apprehension. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. But that didn’t change the fact that she was the enemy.

He reached her, towering over her small frame. He’d forgotten how tiny she was compared to him. He reached out without thinking, and gripped her arm firmly. Those eyes widened in surprise.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded, quietly.

“Whoa there, McKay,” Seamus’ voice called out. He turned to see his friend walk up and stand beside him. He’d been so focused on getting to her, he hadn’t noticed him following. Seamus was looking worriedly at Pete’s hand holding her arm. “Ease up a little. That’s no way to treat a lady.” His eyes were asking questions even though his voice was light and playful.

Pete released her arm reluctantly. So far this wasn’t going the way he’d dreamed it would. He hesitated to look back at her, but when he did he saw the barely contained anger there. There was no way he was apologizing.

“Sorry.” Apparently he was. He sighed inwardly. Figures his mouth wouldn’t listen to his brain.

“Care to introduce us?” Seamus prompted, looking at her intently.

She turned her gaze from Pete to Seamus and smiled at him, literally knocking the air right out of Pete. She held out her hand for his friend to take.

“I’m Dinah,” she introduced.

“Seamus,” he said, shaking her hand. “How do you know McKay here?” he asked, still holding her hand in his.

“Oh…uh…well…”

“We met on that trip I took last year to Glasgow,” Pete jumped in. He eyed their hands, still entwined in a shake, and decided that he might actually end up punching his best friend tonight.

“Glasgow, huh? That’s a rough place for someone like you.”

Dinah lifted one brow elegantly. “Someone like me?”

Pete fought back his laugh. Seamus had no idea who he was dealing with. Pete didn’t know her either, but from what he’d seen, she would be able to hold her own. He folded his arms over his chest, watching his friend try to recover.

“Oh, I just meant…” Seamus gulped at the now ice blue eyes staring at him expectantly. “Never mind,” he laughed. “Let’s get you a drink, yeah?”

Pete rolled his eyes. His friend was hopeless when it came to girls. It was actually painful to watch. He finally let go of her hand, and Pete found he could breathe a little easier.

“Mate, why don’t you go order us another pitcher and get an extra glass for Dinah. I’ll take her to the table,” Pete suggested. Seamus nodded and veered off toward the bar. Pete grabbed her arm again, not as firmly as before, and pulled her back through the crowd. Everyone was throwing appreciative glances her way, but when he looked back, her eyes were focused on the floor. She was completely oblivious to the effect she was having.

“Want to tell me what you’re doing here before I bring you around my friends?” he whispered in her ear. He got a whiff of her perfume and almost groaned at the scent. She smelled amazing.

“I’m just here for a drink,” she replied, looking up at him.

He gave her a dubious look. “You really expect me to believe that?”

She shrugged. “It’s the truth.”

They had reached the back by then, their table just a few feet away. He stopped and turned to face her, blocking her from the other guys. “I swear, if you’re here to start trouble I won’t hesitate to kill you.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I’m here for a drink. That’s all.” They stared at each other challengingly. “Does this mean your friends don’t know…?”

Pete hesitated for a second, then shook his head no.

“You didn’t tell anyone?”

She sounded surprised, which made him both happy and offended. Didn’t he say he’d keep it to himself? Before he could answer, Seamus appeared with a pitcher in one hand and a glass in the other.

“Drinks are up!” he announced happily.

Dinah didn’t think she had ever laughed so much in her life. She actually felt, sort of…normal. The beer that was poured for her a couple of hours ago still sat in front of her, warm now. She’d taken small sips and decided she didn’t like beer. It was the first time she ever had alcohol. Surprisingly she was enjoying herself with McKay’s friends, even though McKay himself had hardly said a word to her. He joined in some of the conversations, but never directed anything to her specifically. He was a silent, brooding presence beside her. Despite that, she was still painfully aware of him. Every time he shifted in his seat, his arm or thigh brushing against her, or every time he’d laugh or say something, her heart would pick up speed.

The others included her as much as possible, but for the most part, she simply listened and laughed along with them. It was a strange night for sure. She got up, excusing herself to go to the washroom. A few men smiled at her as she made her way to the ladies sign and she smiled back, finding it easier to be friendly the longer she stayed.

The bathroom itself was as rundown as the bar. Only one stall had a working toilet, but no lock on the door. She did her business quickly before anyone else came in. As she washed her hands, the door behind her opened and two girls around her age walked in. She met their glances in the mirror for a second before looking back down at her hands under the running water.

“You new around here?” one of them asked. Dinah looked up in surprise. Both were staring at her.

“Yeah, I just got into town,” she lied.

“How do you know McKay?” the other asked.

Dinah turned to face them, letting her hands drip water onto the worn, linoleum floor. Both were wearing way more revealing outfits than her tights and blouse. Four inch heels gave them enough height that she was forced to slightly look up at them. The brunette had dark red lips set in a sneer, while the blonde’s bright pink lips were in a full-on frown. Neither looked impressed. Figures she’d make enemies without meaning to, it was sort of her ‘thing’.

“We met last year,” she answered, continuing with the lie he’d made up initially.

“Are you two dating?” said the blonde.

Ah, now she understood. If she’d hung out with normal people more often it probably would have come to her quicker, but considering she had no female friends to name, it hadn’t occurred to her this was some sort of jealousy thing.

“No,” she answered. “We’re just….friends.”