Flight of Dragons(60)
She licked her lips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Eva hissed in pain when he squeezed her hand tightly. “Don’t fuck with me,” he growled.
She took the communications link out of her ear and handed it to him, and watched with dismay as he threw it to the ground and destroyed it under the heel of his shoe.
***
Ti sat down on her left. His burnished auburn hair was tied into a ponytail, and as he stared at her, his green eyes flashed with a hint of red. “When my colleague hadn’t returned my phone calls, I traced his last location to a hotel in London. Imagine my surprise when I found Emilio without a head, the hotel surrounded by police, and the distinctive smell of Emilio’s brand in the air.”
He lifted his hand and asked for herbal tea before looking at her.
“Coffee please.” Eva wished for something stronger.
“The scent eluded me several times, but once I took to the air, I managed to track you here.
“Of course, I didn’t want to intrude on my brother’s personal space. Balthazar’s security detail would have torn me to shreds while he watched before I had the chance to transform.” Ti leaned close towards her and sniffed. “You have my brother’s scent all over you. Have you been intimate with him?”
Eva almost shot back with a snarky reply, but bit her tongue. “What do you want?”
“What rightfully belongs to me.”
“The family hoard?” She waited until the waitress had left. “Balthazar defeated you in a fair fight.”
“Lancelot sided with him.”
“That was Lancelot’s choice.”
“I’ve returned to claim what is mine.”
“Why now?” Of course she knew, but wanted to see if he would answer.
Ti sipped his tea. “That’s none of your business.”
“I was dragged into this shit, so it is my business.” Her hands shook, and Eva placed them on her lap to hide her nervousness.
“You’ll come with me, Miss Eva Haraldsdóttir.” He glanced at her. “Don’t look so surprised—Emilio was most efficient. Adopted daughter of Professor Harald Símonarson.” He finished his drink and stood up. “I know that your father isn’t involved, but if you don’t cooperate, I may have to use him as persuasion.”
***
“You let Eva do what?” Balthazar snared Thorsson’s collar and slammed him into the wall. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Who’s with her?”
“Svensson and Evaldsson.” Thorsson swallowed audibly.
“Have you heard from them?”
“Evaldsson radioed that Miss Haraldsdóttir and Svensson had entered the museum.”
He growled fiercely and released him. “I should rip your throat out right now,” he hissed. “How could you let her leave?”
“She was convinced that one of her artifacts is your scale, my lord.”
He rubbed his forehead. “And you believed her?”
“Yes, my lord, I did.”
Balthazar glanced at him. Thorsson stood like a rock, large, unmoving, and slightly intimidating. His expression displayed the determination and fierceness of his Viking ancestors—he would have protected Eva with his life if he had to. Thorsson’s belief in Eva must have been strong if he allowed her to leave without him.
Balthazar shook his head. “How long have they’ve been gone?”
“Just over an hour.”
“Call Svensson now. I want to know what’s going on. And put him on speakerphone.”
Thorsson pulled out his cellphone and hit a number. It rang several times before it went to voicemail.
“Shit.” Thorsson hung up and dialed another number.
“Sir.”
“Evaldsson, I need a report.” Thorsson glanced at him. “I have you on speaker. Lord Balthazar is here with me.”
An anxious cough at the other end. “My lord.”
“What’s going on?” Balthazar demanded. “Where’s Eva?”
“Miss Haraldsdóttir and Svensson have just entered the museum, my lord. There’s no sign of Lord Ti.”
Which didn’t mean he wasn’t nearby—the mark on Eva’s arm may still act as a signal. “If my brother appears, you only have one chance. Is that understood?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Thorsson hung up. “I can join them my lord, if that is what you wish.”
“No, you’re staying here. If Ti makes an appearance, I need you and Lancelot. Get the others and begin barricading the house.”
Several minutes later, Thorsson appeared. “My lord.” His expression held concern.
“What is it, man? Out with it.”