"Isn't it?" Mikhail moved closer, lowering his voice. "You're falling for her. Maybe already fallen. And when this ends, I don’t want to have to bury another body."
"It doesn't end."
The words were out before I could stop them.
Mikhail went very still. "Olek…"
"She's not leaving." I met his eyes. "I'm not letting her leave."
"Does she know that?"
"Not yet."
"And what if she wants to leave, anyway?"
"She won't." I couldn't let myself believe otherwise. "She feels it too. I know she does."
"Feeling something and staying are two different things." Mikhail's voice was gentle. "You can't force her, brother. Even for you, some things have to be freely given."
"I know that."
"Do you?"
I didn't answer.
Mikhail sighed. "Just—be careful. Both of you. This could get messy."
"It's already messy." I started toward the house. "Come on. Let's greet our guests."
By the time I made it to the front entrance, three cars had arrived. The Volkov brothers—Dmitri and Cori—were already inside, helping themselves to my vodka. My cousin Adam pulled up with his wife, Irina. And Sergei, one of my lieutenants, had brought his new girlfriend.
"Olek!" Dmitri clapped me on the back. "Good to see you. Where's this famous hospitality? Usually someone's here to take our bags."
"My head of staff is finishing preparations." I gestured toward the study. "Drinks first. She'll show you to your rooms shortly."
"Head of staff." Cori grinned. "That the maid everyone's been talking about? The one Mikhail says has you?—"
"Careful," I warned.
Cori’s grin widened. "Protective. Interesting."
Adam appeared with Irina, who immediately hugged me. "Cousin! It's been too long. When do we meet this woman who's managed to civilize you?"
"I'm not civilized."
"You're smiling. That's practically civil for you." She patted my cheek. "We're dying to meet her. I bet she’s stunning."
More cars arrived. More family, more friends. My home was filled with noise and laughter and people who'd known me my whole life.
People who'd notice if I kept glancing toward the hallway, waiting for her to appear.
"Relax," Mikhail said quietly beside me. "She'll be here."
"I know."
"Do you? Because you look like you're about to send out a search party."
I forced myself to turn away from the hallway. To engage with my guests. To pretend my mind wasn't in that bathroom, replaying every moment. The way she'd taken everything I gave her. The tears on her face. The way she'd looked at me when I made her promise, like I was someone worth keeping promises for. I'd kissed her like she was oxygen and I was drowning.
