“It’s not too bad,” Edwina said.“See, it’s stopped bleeding already.”Good feline genes were helpful sometimes.She didn’t mention this because Rita smelled human, and she didn’t know how much the woman knew about shifters.
Rita frowned.“It looks deep, but you’re right.It’s not bleeding any longer.How did you cut it?”
“I fell on the gravel.It was probably the way I struck the ground.Everything happened so fast,” Edwina said.A shiver ran through her.Someone had shot at her, and she’d heard the bullet whizz past her head.It had barely missed her.Why, and what the hell had she stepped into the middle of?She needed to speak with Ivan and Gregory.
With Mikhail.
Rita cleaned the wound with minimal fuss.“You’re right.It’s not as bad as it looked.Iodine and a sticking plaster should do the trick.”
“Edwina?”Rapid footsteps approached, and Mikhail appeared in the doorway.“Edwina, Ivan contacted me.Are you all right?”He crouched in front of her, concern etched into his handsome features.
She stared into his blue eyes, and her heart raced.He looked as if he genuinely cared, even though he’d left withthatwoman.
“I’ll finish, Rita,” Mikhail said.“We’ll have drinks and a snack in the lounge in about half an hour.”
“Of course,” Rita said.“Everything will be ready when you’re done here.”
She left, and the atmosphere thickened between them.Edwina swallowed.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here,” Mikhail said finally, breaking the silence.
“You didn’t shoot at me.”
“But someone shot you because of me and my actions,” Mikhail said.“I didn’t think they’d go this far.”
“Who are they?”
“Bratva,” Mikhail said.“That’s my best guess.They’re trying to pressure me into paying protection money and letting them take over my business interests.”He sighed.“When my grandfather ran the business, he played the game their way.My father took over and cleaned house.He didn’t like the way Bratva treated our people, and I have continued to steer clear of them.They’re not happy with my decision.”
“I don’t understand.How can they pressure you into doing what they want?No, scratch that,” Edwina said.“They strike at people you care about.”
“Yes, and recently, I discovered my grandfather is colluding with them.He wanted me to marry into one of the Bratva families.”
“But you married me,” Edwina said, understanding everything.
“Yes.”
“And now I’m in danger because someone saw us at the airport.”
Mikhail sighed.“Unfortunately.I’m so sorry.”
Edwina extended her hands and showed him her palms.“It’s not your fault.Can you dig the gravel out?”
Mikhail held one of her hands between his and picked up the tweezers Rita had left on the dresser.“This will hurt.”
“Yes,” she agreed and sucked in her breath, a hiss escaping her as he dug out the first piece.
“You’re different from what I imagined,” Mikhail said.
“What did you expect?A spoiled young girl who executed your orders without issue?One who accepted her place.”
Mikhail grinned without warning.“I didn’t expect a mouthy woman who intrigues me.One with the heart of a lion.”
“Leopard, if you please.”
Mikhail chuckled.“But you are brave.Most women of my acquaintance would screech in alarm.They’d weep and throw themselves at me or take to their bed.Everything would be my fault.”
“I’m a country girl.We’re tough.”
