His hands linger on my skin as he secures the last bandage, the heat of them seeping into my chilled flesh. For several seconds, we stay connected by touch and the shared horror of the night.
Then he drags his gaze away and wraps gauze around my arm, taping it securely in place.
“Thank you.” I swallow against the tightness in my throat. “For tonight. For…”
For killing those men and keeping me safe.
For not leaving me behind in that horror show.
He skims his knuckles across my cheek. “You’re mine to protect. Always.”
I melt a little bit more. “Alexei. I?—”
My phone buzzes, shattering the moment. I dig the device from the small clutch I somehow managed to keep with me through everything. Samantha’s name flashes across the screen, and my heart leaps into my throat. I need to know she’s safe.
With trembling fingers, I unlock the screen and read her message.
I’m dying to know more about your hot boyfriend aka “client.” Don’t keep me in the dark!
I blow out a big breath and try to sound like my world isn’t collapsing as I type a reply.
Umm, it’s complicated. I’ll tell you about him soon. But how are you? Getting ready for classes to start?
The three dots appear, and I don’t have to wait long before a string of messages pops up.
See, I knew he wasn’t just your client! SPILL IT!
OMG no…not ready for fall semester! My brain is actual mush from summer classes. Met this sexy AF guy though. You have to meet him!!
Seriously, sis. Next coffee date, ur telling me EVERYTHING!!!
A wave of relief crashes through me, so powerful I nearly drop the phone. My sister’s safe. She’s worried about college guys, not mafia men with guns coming for her. Alexei was right. His men are protecting her without her even realizing she needs protection.
I tap out a quick response, promising we’ll catch up soon and reminding her to use protection if she hooks up with said “sexy AF” guy. Then I set the phone aside and take a long, shuddering breath that seems to come from the very center of me.
Alexei has moved away to dispose of the bloody gauze and antiseptic wipes. His back is to me, his shoulders rigid withtension as he puts away the first aid supplies. The muscles in his forearm flex when he closes the kit with a decisive snap.
“She’s safe.” I need to hear the words out loud. “Sam is safe.”
He faces me with an unreadable expression. “I told you she would be.”
That cold rage is still there, simmering beneath the surface. Not directed at me, but palpable nonetheless. It fills the space between us, heavy and dangerous. In a way, knowing his rage is aimed at the assholes responsible for upending my life is reassuring.
He begins to pace, his lengthy strides carrying him back and forth across the loft.
“It’s too clean. The Reznik weapons. The Reznik men. The fucking Reznik casino chip left in the dead man’s pocket.” He jams a hand into his dark hair, the strands longer and curlier than they were a few weeks ago. “Everything points to the Rezniks…” His fierce, burning eyes lock with mine. “But Gio was there. He tried to take you. He fucking lied to my face about Benny.”
He continues to pace, his fury a living entity between us. He’s right. Tonight was too perfect, too obvious. Intentional.
“You’re looking at this like a soldier.” The pattern forms in my mind. “All these broken pieces…Gio, the Rezniks, the lighter, the mention of diamonds… But the first crack was Gio. He lied about Benny. That’s where we should start.”
When Alexei stops pacing, his attention is razor-sharp on my face. “Of course.”
“MJ had knowledge that got him killed.” My certainty grows with each word. “Benny said he learned about it in prison. Do you have any of MJ’s things from that time period?”
Dark emotions cross Alexei’s face. Pain. Determination. His eyes flutter shut, his muscular chest rising and falling.
When he opens them again, they’re focused. “At Roman’s compound.”
