Visions of a future when waking up to her were the norm cycled through my mind, like the clips of a cliché romance movie. But I dispelled those thoughts as quickly as they had manifested. My only job was to enjoy the hell out of today and for however long she was in my life.
“Hey,” she said, arms circling my neck as she rose to her toes for a kiss. “I was cold this morning.”
My eyes lifted to catch Kai’s wry grin as he rolled down his window, acknowledging me with a nod before pulling off down the street.
“I’m sorry. I forgot to mention this morning’s building inspection.”
And the lies continued.
I held her face, my thumb caressing the soft skin of her cheek. “You have no idea how hard it was to leave.”
She gripped the collar of my jacket and levered up to rub the tip of her nose against my chin. “And why’s that?”
I dipped my mouth to meet hers, kissing and gently nibbling on the soft flesh. “Because it was too damn cold.”
Eva playfully swatted my shoulder. “Oh, not because you had an incredibly hot woman in your bed? Naked, sore?” Her lips were at the hollow of my neck. “The taste of you still on my tongue?”
I crushed her to me, the front of my pants painfully tight.
“There’s no one here for another three hours, angel. I think a little redemption is in order.”
By the time we made it inside the building, Evangelina’s playful demeanor had shifted. She stared at the screen of her cell, perfectly arched brows creased together.
“What is it?”
“One of our officers has been missing for three days. She was one of Sam’s guards. They just listed her as a missing person after performing a well-check.”
“Oh,” I said. “That’s unfortunate.”
Her bloodless corpse had been removed from my property just this morning.
I tugged Eva to my chest, my thumb smoothing out the stress lines on her beautiful face. She needn’t worry herself over some bitch who’d made the mistake of cutting a deal with the devil in exchange for a payday.
Leslie failed to understand that I was the worst one of them all.
“I hope they locate her soon.”
Tears welled in her eyes, every drop dissolving the once impenetrable barrier encasing my heart.
“I can’t help thinking this has something to do with Belov. It’s too much of a coincidence. She was on duty for Sam. And if that’s the case, how many more people have to die before—”
“All of them. Every single last one. If it means keeping you safe.”
She stared at me, a myriad of emotions flashing in the dark depths of her eyes. Blinking away tears, Evangelina took a deep breath and placed a hand on my chest. “That’s not what I want.”
I wanted to tell her that I was working on a resolution. Working with others to ensure those responsible for her attack would pay with their lives.
Dmitry Belov was mine.
“Come on,” she said with renewed strength, pulling at my wrists. “I need to relieve some fucking stress before I explode.”
“What are you in the mood for? I asked as we approached the counter. “Long or short range?”
She regarded the row of weapons, eyes settling on the rifles section. “How about that one?” she said, pointing at a sleek McMillan TAC-338.
“Good choice.”
“And you?”
