The muzzle of an SKS rifle nudged his forehead. Jake stepped into the gunman’s path, still holding my hand.
“Who are you?” The Russian gunman demanded in broken English.
“Jake MacKenzie. We’re here to …” His eyes snapped to mine.
“We’re here to explain why everyone is testy. And I amthrilledto commence my engagement with Rurik Mikhailov.”The sarcasm in my tone slipped when Jake squeezed my fingers so tight the blood stopped. “On one condition. Lev and Edik forgive Natasha.”
My grin would look so much better with an eyeroll, but shadows stood in the attic windows. My educated guess? Those shadows belonged to the Mikhailovs, who viewed this fight from their snooty opera-box seats.
The man nearest me spoke into his Apple Watch. “I have Simona Resnova. A male escort accompanies her … a Jake … Mac … MacKenzie. She wishes to announce her engagement with Rurik. She has further stipulations. Advise.” A second later, he glanced at the tiny screen, then a smile broke across his face. “Come in. We shall raise a glass. Celebrate.”
“Where’s Natasha?” I asked.
“Clearing the home in search of her now. We spotted an unknown male on video a while ago.”
“Lorenzo Ferri?” My father and uncle joined me, a questioning look as I said the name.
The lieutenant shrugged. “Da, maybe? He was identified as not one of the Resnov Bratva. However, Lev enjoyed the show.” His dry chuckle made my knuckles itch. “Not to worry, I presume she’s alive. Edik, he’s with her.”
As if softie could fight? Well, I’d misjudged Jake. Never thought he’d jump into an icy lake to save me. Never thought he’d?—
We strolled toward the door. Jake hadn’t let go. The touch was firm, not punishing for my game of Russian Roulette. My father glared at our adjoined fingers. Ever the protector, he claimed the space ahead of us.
Uncle Vassili strolled at my opposite side. His voice was a clipped growl. “Why did you do this?”
“I saved us all, okay?”
“I made you a promise, Sima.”
“Which was never your problem,Dyadya.”
“When we get inside,”—Vassili took my arm and stopped me outside the door—“I talk. You and the other MacKenzie shut up. Understood?”
“Got it.” Jake nodded.
I did too, hoping that my uncle would carry out his plan. He entered. I stood back. Jake remained at my side. The enforcer behind us gestured with his gun.
I ignored the threat.
Inside, an echo of footsteps coupled with my cousin’s voice. Heard Lachlan’s Scottish brogue, telling her how much he loved her. Natasha’s quiet sobs.Khoroshiy. They were alive. A relieved sigh escaped me.
Natasha was safe.
Tears burned my eyes. My voice wobbled, weak and pathetic. “We will all be fine.” I pressed my thumb against a smudge on Jake’s cheek and relished how his breath hollowed. “Jake, that adventure. Better than an SS Robinson thriller,da?”
“We’ll start a book club.” He offered a bark of a laugh, deep, scratchy, and comforting. “We should do this again sometime. Tell me we can do this again sometime … You can’t marry Rurik.”
“She will,” our escort snapped.
We ignored him. Introspection burned in Jake’s eyes. A furrow dipped his brow. He was assessing my next move. Already anticipating it.
A teasing smirk played on my lips as I cried a river on the inside. “Okay, no Rurik. You will leave your doctor for me,da?”Let’s pretend a bit longer.
“Yes.” Jake’s voice and hands showed no hesitation. His thumbs caressed the crease of my forced smile. “Simona, I once scoffed at the term,love at first si?—”
My lips crashed against his with a punishment no man could break. Teeth nipping. Tongues colliding.
Ages passed before we stepped back. Jake panting for air, my breasts straining against my bra.
