Silas rests a hand on my shoulder, the corner of his mouth lifting into a smile. “I’m glad to have you back. I hope you decide to stay this time.”
I meet his gaze, smirk tugging at my lips. “Don’t get soft on me, old man.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Wouldn’t dream of it. But I mean it, Maksim. No work tonight. Just us.”
No sooner do the words leave his mouth than the security system chimes, alerting to movement at the gate. He unlocks his phone, enters a code, and takes the last swig of bourbon.
At the same time, my own cell buzzes in my pocket.
My breath stalls when Valentina’s name flashes on the screen.
KOLIBRI: Hey, Maksim. We’re pulling up. Mind helping Remi bring some stuff inside? I would help, but you know, some guy ran me over.
The smile on my face is instant.
ME: Sounds like this guy deserves to have his ass kicked.
KOLIBRI: That’s the plan.
ME: I’ll be right out.
I pocket the phone and move before the words finish settling, trying, but failing to smother the grin on my face.
When I glance up, Silas is watching. His brows lifted and mouth tilted just enough to count as a smirk.
“You ready?” he asks. But it’s not the words that matter; it's the look he's giving me. Perplexed, curious, and maybe even a little suspicious.
He doesn’t press, just studies me for a moment longer than necessary before falling in step behind. At the corridor, we split. He veers left with a silent nod, and I head toward the exit.
By the time I reach the front entrance, Remi’s already there, a tray tucked under one arm as she leans into the trunk. Hermes and Apollo flank her.
I know I should help. But then the passenger door opens, and the faint tap of a metal crutch on concrete steals my focus.
I’m at Valentina’s side before I can think, hand extended. She glances up through her lashes and smiles. I tug her gently to her feet, and draw her into a hug without hesitation.
For a moment, neither of us moves, too aware of how easy it feels. Of how dangerous that ease has become.
“How about we save the ass-kicking for after dinner?” I say, breaking the tension still lingering from the last time we were together.
“You don’t set the terms here, Ruso.” Her hand presses against my chest.
I let her go, though every part of me wants to keep holding on.
Dangerous waters. I know it. But I can’t find it in me to care.
We turn, and there’s Remi. Arms full, tray slipping, bag sliding off her shoulder.
"Umm...how about a little help here?"
Valentina laughs under her breath. “Fuck, I’m sorry!”
She starts toward Remi, but I catch her wrist.
“She was talking to me. You go inside.”
She hesitates, just long enough for a shiver to pass through her. We both feel it. Valentina nods once and slips past me, her shoulder grazing my arm as she goes.
I’d been so caught up, I didn’t notice Derek’s car pull up behind Remi’s.
