Something felt off, a strange sense of instinct rolling into my system. I blocked out all sound and scanned the area around the quaint square of shops and eateries, searching for the reason for the interruption.
Immediately both men sensed my discord, shoring their shoulders and both doing the same thing I was doing.
The touch of Lainey’s hand on mine dragged my attention back to where it should be. “What’s wrong?” The hint of fear in her voice grabbed a claw full of anger.
“Nothing. I heard a noise. That was it.” Even as I tried to pass it off, her eyebrows were raised, her mouth twisting in frustration or anxiety.
“You need to relax. Everything is fine. We have a petting zoo to head to. Remember? You promised.”
Just trying to laugh it off was not my strong suit, but I did my best. “You are absolutely right. Are you guys ready to see the alpacas?”
“Don’t forget the donkeys and they have ponies. And chickens. I think a pig, but I don’t want to have a pig at the house. I think she’d be too big.”
The return to normalcy and family activity.
Just like any father.
Yet the nagging remained.
CHAPTER 22
Lainey
“I’m still thinkingan alpaca is an excellent idea.” I casually glanced over the rim of my glass at the hunk of a man finally relaxing. He’d been on edge on day, refusing to tell me why. After a lovely afternoon out shopping and enjoying the sights, Nina was fast asleep.
We had soft music playing in the background, dim lighting and the ocean breezes coming in through the open door. Being here with him was more than just exciting.
It was comforting. As if we’d known each other our entire lives.
I’d yet to tell him, but spending the time with him doing nothing yet everything meant more to me than if he’d taken me out to a fancy dinner. This was what living and family was supposed to be about. Not hanging out in hotel rooms or surrounded by paparazzi. I was still grateful for every experience I’d had, but teaching Nina over the last couple of days had reminded me why I’d always wanted to be a teacher.
“Oh, yeah? Now, where would we put it? In the living room or the den?” Sasha was curled on the couch. His shoes were off. His feet were propped up on my legs. With his long hair slightly tousled from the day spent in the breeze, his shirt mostly unbuttoned revealing his chiseled abdomen, and the goatee that was absolutely the perfect size and shape, I could barely keep my eyes off him.
Even better. He was wearing shorts.
Sighing, I settled onto the couch, trying to think of the appropriate answer. “The pool area. You have a two-bedroom cabana that could be turned into a very special llama house. That would work.”
I was certain he’d spit out his vodka, but instead, he lifted a single eyebrow. Why was it that every move he made was sexy as hell?
He cocked his head, placing his arm behind his head. Dear God, the man was so sexy I was even captivated by the mischievous smile that he’d worn most of the afternoon.
“You have it all figured out.”
“I do.” Which wasn’t the truth in the least. The time we’d spent together meant so much, but it felt as if we were in a glass bubble and at any moment the protected surface could be shattered. While Nina hadn’t been bothered in the least by being followed all day by two men carrying weapons, I’d constantly felt their presence, hating being followed. Being protected. Maybe my thinking was hypocritical since I’d had Bernie and Danny by my side for years.
“I’m glad someone does.”
He took a gulp of his drink, his eyes suddenly unfocused. I’d heard him on the phone several times. He’d tried to hide his frustration from me and from Nina as well, but I was learning all the little tics and signs about the man. At least he’d seemed to enjoy the afternoon.
“Maybe no news is good news,” I suggested.
“Not in my world, Lainey. Often those poised for an attack use the absence of violence or threats to prime their victims.”
“So you’ll react to anything tossed your way.”
He nodded. “A tried and true war tactic.”
“You mentioned another side of your family in Moscow. You’re not close?” I’d overheard conversations and with what little he’d told me, I’d managed to put a few pieces together. Whatever had occurred months or years before had forever changed the family. In my mind, it had brought them even closer together.
