“Do you ever wonder about what might have happened if you’d never formed Keystone?” she asked.
“Nyet. Without Keystone, I would not have my Blue.” His gaze fell to her hand. “Perhaps in another life, we would be more. I am just an old man.”
When he started to pull back, she held his hand tight. “You’re not old. It sounds like we both want the same things in life. I love what I have here. I love what I have with you.”
He smiled handsomely. “This gives me such happiness.” Viktor regarded her for a moment, looking as if he was toiling over something. “You understand I would never take advantage of my position.”
“That’s what I respect about you.”
Blue had finally come to terms with her feelings for Viktor. She loved him deeply, but not in a way that left her longing for him. Perhaps there were different kinds of love a person could feel for another that had nothing to do with being a mate. Nothing about their relationship was unfulfilling. In fact, it was the most fulfilling relationship she had ever experienced. They desired the same things, shared the same dreams, and respected each other’s boundaries. They had forged a bond from the remnants of a similar past, and they asked no more from the other than what that person was willing to give. Perhaps one day she could stand at his side as an equal, partnered in the same endeavor. He might want to retire and hand over the business, and she could see herself rising to the challenge. If he wanted to shutter Keystone’s doors, she would eagerly serve as his bodyguard.
There would be no greater honor.
Love is more than sharing a bed or a kiss; it’s giving someone your whole life. And maybe in the next life, the fates would look kindly on them.
Viktor cupped the back of her neck and pulled her forward. He pressed his cheek to hers, holding her that way for a lifetime. “I guard every memory of you. I have never met anyone with such courage, and I am honored you have chosen this life. I will endeavor to live up to your expectations.”
His words made her falcon soar. Blue had finally found a man she could always respect. An honest man. A good man. One who had collected a group of unwanted outcasts with no future and saw their potential to change this world. Viktor not only gave them hope but a clean slate. He brought out the best in them and made them invaluable.
“What would I do without my Blue?”
She closed her eyes and smiled against his warm cheek. “Starve. Now let me get you something to eat.”
He held her that way for just a moment longer. They were two ships on a dark sea who had found each other, no longer looking for the lighthouse. Just riding the storm together.
CHAPTER21
Ifolded my arms over my knees while Christian and I sat on the stairs. The sun streamed through the high windows, adding warmth to the mansion. “What do you think of Viktor telling the whole team about Lenore’s possible involvement?”
He peered through the stone balustrades, down to the first floor before answering. “I don’t think he had a choice, but it proves one thing: he’s done with Lenore Parrish.”
“It also shows how much he trusts us.”
Christian leaned against the balustrades and stretched one leg out. “I think it’s his backup plan.”
“What do you mean?”
“Supposing he confronts her, Lenore might assume that Viktor would keep it to himself—that he wouldn’t even tell his own team. She knows how careful he is about sensitive information. We’re on a need-to-know basis, and it gets especially tricky with slander. He wouldn’t want to shape our opinion of an official without hard evidence. And that would make it easier for her to make a problem disappear. I think he’s preparing for the unknown. Should something happen to him or us, he wants others to know the truth so he won’t die in vain.”
“If he’s doing this because he thinks Lenore might charm us and then sink him in the river, he can think again. Since they’re coming over here, it’ll catch her off guard. She’ll be too busy flaunting her beau and sipping tea; I don’t think she’ll see it coming. It’s daytime, so we won’t have to worry about her shadow walking her way out of this.”
“Aye, but don’t get overly confident. Remember, she’s a Vampire. She can hear the tick of your heart. Best you calm yourself down before she arrives. And don’t go acting all hospitable. The woman knows you despise her, so treat her as you normally would if Viktor had invited them over and forced you to serve.”
I pulled my hair back and twisted it around to one side. “Once you get Ronald out of the room and confirm if Li Han was telling the truth, how do you plan on staking her?”
Christian scratched his beard. “Viktor should seat her with her back to the door. If Ronald implicates her in the crime, Viktor wants to confront her.”
“If Ronald says she’snotinvolved, does that mean she’s manipulating his mind?”
“That’s tricky to prove without charming her. Viktor wants to hear what she says about it since it’s unlikely she’ll do anything impulsive and violent. That’s not her style. It would open up an investigation she doesn’t want, so she’s more likely to either deny it or strike a bargain with him. If Ronald confirms her involvement, my plan is to stake her immediately and charm her into submission. After that, I don’t know what Viktor will decide. Providing she doesn’t escape.”
“She can’t outrun me in the daytime.”
“Let’s be smart about this and just do what Viktor asks. Right now he wants Ronald.” Christian nudged my arm. “What troubles you?”
“Fletcher. I don’t want him in the house. What if she brings him?”
“Then he stays outside. I’ll mention this to Viktor. He’ll agree since a bodyguard is the last thing we want following us around. This isn’t a place of residence—it’s an organization. We conduct business here twenty-four hours a day, and Lenore knows we can’t have anyone wandering around inside.”
