“Mmm.” I look at my watch. The morning is almost over. I need to get going if I’m going to be back here by dinnertime. “Later. I have to get going.”
“Oh, come on. One more game. I’ll make it worth your while.”
I feel the cool touch of her toes against my pants leg under the table. Her foot moves all the way up my thigh, pressing against the half-asleep beast in my trousers. “That would take more time from me that I can spare, my darling.”
“Not necessarily.” She moves her foot up and down slowly. The pressure of her foot through the fabric is enough to get me going. I grab her foot to stop her.
“You take far too much pleasure in tormenting me, Little One.”
She just smiles and wiggles her toes against my zipper. “Come on, Daddy. One more game? Please?”
I stand up and walk around the table, then I take her by the hand and pull her to her feet, wrapping my arms around her waist, kissing her. To hell with it. To hell with everything. All I want right now is her bent over this couch?—
My phone buzzes in my pocket as she bites my lip. Her hands are against my chest, nails digging into me through my shirt.
It buzzes again and it brings me back down to earth. I take her hands and push her away gently. “I have to answer this.”
She stands by while I pull out my phone. To my shock, it’s Nickolai Novikoff. I stare at it for another ring before I answer it.
“Hello?”
“Anton. We need to talk.”
“So, talk.” I step away from Natalya. The change in my voice is evident, even to her. She’s staring at me with her big, frightened blue eyes.
“Not over the phone. Let’s meet somewhere neutral.”
I pause. “There’s nothing for us to discuss, Nikolai. You know that.”
“Oh, I think we have plenty to discuss. Meet me at Christ’s Cathedral. One hour.”
He hangs up and I’m left confused… and stunned.What game is he playing?
“I have to go,” I say to Natalya. “Several people will be coming by while I’m gone to clean up the mess and bring in your clothes. You’ll know them because they will tell you that Iggy sent them. If anyone else shows up at the door without giving you that message, do not let them in.”
She nods. “And Mikki. What about him? Should I check on him?”
“Please. Tell him Iggy wants to see him as soon as possible and make sure he eats something. He likes to starve himself when he’s been injured. It’s very annoying.”
She chuckles, but it’s a high, nervous sound. I start to leave and she stops me with a touch on my arm. “When will you be back?”
I don’t know. I don’t know if this is Nikolai’s moment to take me out or what. All I know is that if I don’t go, he’ll come here. That’s the last thing I want.
“Before sundown,” I tell her. “Keep yourself busy while I’m away.”
I turn, but she steps in my path and kisses me. It’s a quick kiss, just a gentle pressing of her lips on mine. “For luck,” she says.
“For luck,” I repeat. I’ll need it.
19
NATALYA
He didn’t say who it was he was talking to, but from the look on his face, I can tell it’s serious. As serious as a heart attack.
I’m not going to lie. I’m worried… and scared. He hesitated when I asked him when he’d be back. God, what if he’s not back? It’s already been a couple of hours…
I walk to the living room and note the pool of drying blood on one of the couches. What kind of world is this? Am I really even safe at all here?
