FOUR

The loud blow horn of the ship explodes in my ear as I and all the passengers walk off the ship. As I walk, I never let my eyes off Hugo and Sully.

I look down at my watch and flick my finger to the GPS tracker before I drop my arm to the side.

"Terry!" voice booms behind me as I turn my head and body to find Seth beelining his way to me. "Man, there is a lot of people here in a hurry." He breathes. "So, where are we staying at?" He asks as I call out for a cab before I could give him a deadpan expression.

"We?" I repeated the word.

"Yeah, we." He smiles follow by the dimple on the right side of his cheek. I suck in air to keep myself from falling. He and his damn brothers have those dimples that no one can resist. I guess that is the reason why Effie, Lily, Claire, and Thea all ended up with one brother and the only one is the joker of the bunch. And I'm stuck with him on this trip.

Nope, I'm not going to fall into his trap by flashing his smile. I need to concentrate on his mission.

A few young girls around the age range of high school to college all caught a glimpse of Seth, giggle, and even as try to sneak a picture to worship him like some kind of fucking god.

"We aren't staying together. I am." I point to him then direct my finger at him. "You will do whatever you want and have fun."

"Aw come on, Terry." He whines and pout, puckering his lips. "I can't be alone."

"Seth, this isn't some vacation trip," I could hear my voice rising and take glances at the people around me still waiting on their cab. Before I can continue to argue the cab driver said something in Spanish gesturing if I'm going to get in or not because he got places to go and people to drive. I answer him as he mutters the word 'Americans'.

I groan and I sigh rubbing my face looking at Seth's pitiful face. With one duffle bag, I throw it inside and stick my head inside followed by Seth, who gets all excited. Once he closed the cab door, I lean forward speaking in his language to take me to this address.

On the way, I never take my eyes off the window while Seth scans the city of Barcelona. "Wow, it's beautiful here." He gasps and takes pictures off his phone.

I snort at his behavior like a little kid. I've been here once in a while but I took a private jet instead of a cruise. My purpose in taking the cruise line was to keep an eye on Hugo and Sully.

My phone chime as I unlock the screen to see a text from Kendall.

Kendall: Cap, They moved the auction to tonight.

My brows furrow as I type.

Me: What?! I thought it won't be in three days. I already have Hugo on the tracker.

Kendall: That was the plan but apparently, Madam Red won't be appearing in Barcelona. According to our sources, she heard someone is after her and ran.

What the fuck is going on?!

I let out a growl, irritated and pissed. I type the keyboard on the screen.

Me: Someone in our agency is a rat. Which is why she isn't here to attend the auction.

Now I know why Hugo tagged along with Sully. He is her representative in the auction. Hugo never leaves his master's side.

Me: Do all that you can to find the mole. Somebody within our agency is doing this for her.

Kendall: I'll see what I can but it will take time. It's like finding a needle in a haystack.

Me: Take your time and report to me back. Also, contact Ghost. I need him to come to Barcelona, now.

When the cab stops because there was traffic ahead. The driver was shouting in curse words to keep it moving. Seth on the other hand had his head out the window and catcalled at the women who shy away and giggled.

I groan and at the same time Kendall texts back

Kendall: Right now he is in Ghana dealing with the bandits terrorizing the village, and the water supply there. But why do you need him?

Me: I need him to be my date.

The cab finally stops in front of the hotel. I grab my things and with Seth behind me, I paid for the cab. We walked inside to stand in front of the receptionist.

"Hello, welcome to Hotel Art Barcelona," A young man greets us with a smile. "May I take your name, please."

"Hi, last name Romanoff, first name Nicolai," I say in my most Russian accent.

"What? but your name is- OW!" Seth screeched bending down to his feet where I stepped on. I glare at him to keep his mouth shut.

The young man types something on his computer and looks up at us. "Ah, yes, Mr. Romanoff. Presidential Suite." He looks down and once he returns he hands me the card key. "Here at your keys, and room number. There is information about room service and connection to the wi-fi. If you have any questions please do feel free to call the front desk. Have a good stay Mr. Romanoff and welcome to Barcelona."

Of course a presidential suite. Odin must have changed it to the last minute knowing Seth is with me. I couldn't argue nor complain but a suite?

"Thank you," I smile and walk away dragging Seth who was struggling to walk.

"What the hell was that for?" He asks once I ring the elevator. The doors slide and we both went inside. I push the number to the presidential suite. "Why is the reservation of your room under a different name?"

"Like I said Seth, I'm not here for a beach summer vacation." I look up at him, sternly. "I'm here on a job and hiding under an alias is one step. I don't want my enemies to know I am here."

"Well, you don't look like a Nicolai," He states. "You are more of an Alex or Dimitri or-"

"Can you please shut up," I growl, and at the same time the doors open to a hall.

Walking down the hall and halt in front of the room. I use the card key to open it.

"Holy fuck!" Seth smiles. "Look at this room."

He makes his way touring the whole suite. It's a beautiful suite with wide-open windows to see the view of Barcelona, a place for gathering, a kitchen, a laundry area and I see two bedrooms. I open the door on the right and enter the master bedroom. Drop my bag I hear a chime from my back pocket pulling out my phone. There is missed text message from Kendall.

Kendall: A date? For the auction?

Kendall: Are you finally going to wear the dress I had packed for you?!!

I could imagine her screaming and squealing through my ear. Having an IQ of a genius, Kendall loves to take risks outside her box full of computer equipment covered with pink and glitters, and unicorns. She reminds me of Penelope Garcia from Criminal Minds but much perkier and bubbly.

Reading the text over I gasps.

Me: You packed what?

In destress, I open up my duffle bag and dig through and with wide eyes and horrified a black velvet dress with glitter materials. I pull it out and study the design. It's a strapless even gown dress with flower lace material.

Kendall: I got you matching shoes and they should be there in your hotel room now.

As I read, I turn my head to the white fancy box sitting on top of the bed. I reach for it and open it to find black four-inch heel pumps. I quickly shut it back.

Me: Kendall.

I shove the dress back as I look over my shoulder making sure Seth isn't creeping behind me. I groan.

I grab my phone and start to type.

Me: I am not wearing the dress. Are you insane?!

Kendall: You wanted to dress female for the auction because you had a plan, and since it's tonight I don't think you can find another outfit. Besides, you will look hot. Like smoking hot. With a body like yours, I mean if I were male I would totally fall for you.

Kendall: Please don't say anything to Gunner. He's worried since I have female celebrity crushes on each day of the week he thinks I will become a lesbian. But I shouldn't be the one talking when all he talks about is his precious Kylie Jenner. Seriously, what does he sees in her?

I let out a snort. Kylie Jenner is pretty hot. No lie.

I groan even louder.

Me: Kendall, back to the dress. I can't wear something that will reveal the tattoo. You remember don't

Kendall: I got that all covered. In a few minutes, someone will deliver a box, and inside is what you will hide the tattoo.

Kendall: Also, I heard from Odin that a certain hot male specimen followed you on the cruise.

She adds winking emojis to her message.

Oh god, please kill me.

Kendall: Why can't you ask him to be your date?

Me: Seth doesn't know I'm a woman.

Kendall: Oh...yeah.

Me: Plus, I don't want him involved.

It was hard for me to control myself with Seth standing by me this whole time. Especially, being alone with him in the elevator was driving me insane. The smell of his cologne filled my nose created these unknown feelings inside. I couldn't pinpoint what I'm feeling when I'm with Seth is different when I'm around the men in my team. They can make me feel like this mysterious emotion than what Seth can do.

I shake my head.

Me: Call Ghost and tell him to get his ass over here now!!

I command and put my phone down. I brush my hair back and look back at the shoe box.

"Hey, Terry," I hear Seth's voice behind me, then a knock on the door. I panic and push the shoe box off the bed and sat down as if nothing happened. Seth stops and looks at me oddly. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," I shrug and gave my best smile to assure him not to take a glance at the shoebox on the floor. When he starts to tilt his head to the side. I kick the box further back until it's invisible to see. "Why wouldn't it be?"

"Okayyy, here. Someone sent you something. There's no return address, so-" Seth extends his arm to show me the box.

I snatch it out from his hand and hug it tight against my chest seeing the agape look on his face. "Thanks," I mutter.

Suddenly he pulls on a wide grin, he took steps in front of me. I lean back with my eyes glued on him. He walks slowly to me as he makes me lie back on the bed. Two arms placed on the side of my face, caging me. I hug the package tighter in my arms.

"Is there something in there that I need to know about?" He says in a husky voice. Just the sound of it made me squeeze my legs together.

Never leaving my eyes to wonder other than roaming his perfectly God-like face. I swallow hard and let out a breath. " I don't know what are you talking about?"

He sneers playfully.

These sensation vibes from him are making something happen between my legs and for once I never felt like this. As a child when...Hugo...put his manhood in me that painful feeling stills linger and I would sometimes have nightmares that night. I felt so mortified and scared that I stop trusting men. It took me time to open up to Odin, it took longer for the men in my team to be just partners.

As for Seth, the feeling of him was different. I couldn't quite explain because with him around I felt safe. Unsure what had corrupted me to let a man like Seth into my life. That first encounter was unexpected and since then he has been pestering me to be his best friend. I tried to avoid him and it was hard to escape from him because he is like a damn fucking bug. I can't shoo him off or hit him with a tennis racket because he keeps on coming back.

I notice him leaning down coming at me with his face. My eyes grew wide, the beating of my heart punching against my rib cage. I felt like I'd been waiting for this moment for those delicious lips of his. Just a taste. I always say to myself but realizing that I'm on the job with a reflex, I knee him in the balls. He let out a squeal calling out 'mommy' holds on to the crotch and falls back down to the floor.

I sat up. Fanning myself and glare at Seth. "Do not question on my personal things or else I will castrate you."

"I'll remember that," he moans in pain.

I sigh, while Seth is on the floor still holding his crotch I start to walk, picked up the shoebox, and head inside to the closet, seeing a safe there. I set up a pin code and place both boxes inside and shut the safe door.

It's too dangerous to leave things that would reveal my identity as a woman will make Seth see the truth.

I can not be who I am yet unless I take down Madam Red and The Order.

I can't sit down when these monsters are roaming around freely and give nightmares to those who were broken.

Memories fill my head with the image of my little girl. Her peach soft skin and tiny body. I fell in love with her the moment I laid eyes on her. She is all of my life. But when I learned that she is chosen to be taken away for the auction. I couldn't think of a way to save her from those disgusting men who will raise her, use her, and then control her until she can no longer care for her life. I don't want to see that in my daughter's life. She is not meant to be brought into this world, not yet.

Before Madam Red takes my daughter, I prepare a bath for her and...

"Terry?"

I snap back to the present and blink. Realizing I'm in the closet. I step out and close the door.

Seth now standing, rubbing his neck and I see him feeling distraught. "Look, I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't ask what's in the box." He chuckles dryly. "I mean it's probably - Terry? Why are you crying?"

Without a thought. I reach my hand to my eyes and touch what seems to be tears. I didn't notice them until now. Just thinking about my daughter made me realized the terror and suffering living in The Order.

I wipe my tears off and sniff. "Sorry, something got caught in my eye." I lie.

Within seconds, Seth is in front of me. I watch his eyes harden than soften. Then he surprises me when he pulls me in his arms, embracing me.

I tried to push him. I mean I could take him down with one full move to let me go, but my mind wouldn't let me do it.

"My mom always does this for me whenever I or one of my brothers cried." He whispers, rubbing my back. "She said whenever you see someone sad or in pain, a hug just like this will make whatever is troubling you go away." He chuckles making me love hearing the sound against my ears. "Sounds cheesy but it works. Tried on my brothers but all they do is push me away. They know they are too shy to hug their brother. But I still love them."

I couldn't help but curl my lip.

I heard about the Wolfe brothers' mom from the girls and they say she's a saint. I wish I have someone like that. My own mother disowned me. Social services told me someone found a baby in the dumpster out in the cold with only a pillowcase cover. Once they found my biological parents they said my mother was a college student who fell in love with her professor, who turns out to be her father she never knew.

So, in terms. I'm a product of incest.

The term disgusts me. I didn't want to think of myself that way. I wasn't a choice, to begin with when I was born. It was a forbidden love and I'm the result of it.

I close my eyes and still in the embrace of a man who at the same time kick him again or ponce on him. Not only am I scared of him learning of my gender but what will happen if he learns where my heritage comes from.

What will he think of me then?

I move as I push myself away from Seth and turn away not to look into his eyes. "Seth, I'm tired.. It's been a long trip." That's a lie because tonight I'm supposed to meet Ghost and dress up for the auction tonight.

"Okay, you will feel better in the morning," he states, while his hands are still rubbing my back. The feeling of him touching me soothes me.

"Thank you," I whisper. He nods and walks out of my room before closing it. After he's gone, I lock it and lean back and tilt my head up.

I exhale.

I can't let Seth know who I'm meeting and where I'm going. My business is no concern for him. It's dangerous for him to know. I have to excuse myself so I can sneak my way out.

A chime from my phone alerts me. I went over to my bed and look at the screen to see Ghost's text that he will meet me at the entrance of the auction.

I form a grin as I text him that I will meet him in an hour. I grab the dress, punch the code pulling out the two boxes. I stop by the door and place my ear to hear the tv on in the living room. I went back in my duffle bag to grab my equipment to get out of the room without being seen.

I went to the bathroom to change into my outfit for tonight. Once finished with my dress and make-up. I lift my left leg up on the bed to strap my knife around my thigh while a mini pistol on the other. Wearing the jewelry with special devices like my pearl earrings that will record any voices within range, a hidden camera in my necklace, and my ring that contains deadly poison darts to take down anyone.

I glance at the window as the sun goes down and my phone chimes.

Ghost: I'm here. Where are you?

Me: Almost there.

Ghost: You girls sure take your time.

Besides Odin and Kendall. My team contains a few trusted men in my team are informed of my gender. They are kept in secret unless they reveal my identity they will be severely punished under the order of Odin.

Me: Stop whining. I'll be there.

I grab my purse and stop at the door. Seth has been quiet for a while and I'm starting to get worried. Not to bother and check on him. I open the window and saw how high I was. Not worried about being so high. I strap a belt and push a button that shoots out a hook. It ropes around the edge of the rail. I turn with my back facing the world, close my eyes, say a short prayer, spread my arms, and let myself fall backward.