Vicious Villains (Ruthless Villains Book 4) by Marion Blackwood

Author:Marion Blackwood [Blackwood, Marion]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Dagger Publishing
Published: 2023-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Merry chatter hung over the outdoor tavern. I scanned the smiling faces around us while I pretended to drink from a mug of ale. Light from candles with orange-tinted glass domes shone down from the strings that crisscrossed the seating area, casting the whole space in a warm glow. The scent of grilled meat and spices drifted through the warm evening air. Everyone looked to be enjoying themselves. They had no idea that this was about to become a battlefield in about two minutes.

“And we’re sure that’s him?” Audrey asked in a soft voice while her gaze drifted over a man seated a few tables away.

He was eating alone, and he looked relaxed as if he often came to this tavern and knew every inch of it. Which, according to Levi, was exactly the case. His dark brown hair was combed back, and his moustache neatly trimmed. Shrewd brown eyes studied the steak on his plate before he cut off another strip.

“Yeah,” I replied. “According to Levi, he’s one of Gale’s top advisors.”

She nodded. A few seconds of silence passed while she continued stealthily studying the advisor, whose name Levi had told us was David. Then she slid her gaze back to me.

“If this doesn’t work, we’ll just end up hurt and humiliated for nothing,” she said.

“I know. But I’m sure Levi will enjoy it regardless.”

She let out a half disgruntled, half amused huff. “Yeah, I’m sure he will.” Then a serious expression descended on her face. “You shouldn’t have offered to take it all yourself. I’m not some kind of damsel that needs protecting.”

I couldn’t help the slight smile that pulled at my lips. “Oh don’t I know it. Sometimes, I think you might even rival Levi in terms of sheer deadliness.”

“Then why did you make that offer?”

“Because I meant what I said.” I held her gaze. “I’m not going to just stand by and let someone hurt you if I can do something about it.”

“And I meant what I said when I told you that I feel the same way.” There was an unyielding note to her voice when she spoke, informing me that she was fully serious about this. “So I appreciate the gesture, but never forget that we’re equals.”

I raised my eyebrows at her. “Equals?”

Her eyes flashed. “You—”

“Didn’t I just tell you that I sometimes think you rival Levi in terms of sheer deadliness?” A sly smile slid home on my mouth as I continued watching her with eyebrows raised. “I’m pretty sure that puts you above me.”

For a couple of seconds, she just blinked at me as if processing what I had just said. Then a smug smile tugged at her lips, and she shot me a satisfied look. “Good answer.”

I smirked back at her for a few seconds before dipping my chin and saying, my tone once again serious, “But your words are noted.”

The smile on her face turned from smug to appreciative as she nodded back.

Murmur from the other guests washed over us as we went back to watching and waiting in comfortable silence.

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