He stands, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt. “I’ll be in the back. There’s something I need to do.” His voice is calm, but I catch the hint of steel underneath.
I watch him for a second, wanting to ask a thousand questions, but nothing comes out. I can only nod. He lingers at the door, his gaze heavy, protective, then slips out, closing the screen quietly behind him.
I lie there, trying to make sense of everything—the fear, the confusion, the way every nerve in my body still calls for him, even now. No matter what logic says, my skin still remembers the heat of his hands. My chest aches for answers I might never get.
I squeeze my eyes shut, fighting the storm in my mind.
But sleep finds me anyway.
And suddenly, I’m back in the elevator four years ago?—
Aleksander’s mouth is on mine, his body pinning me to the wall, my hands tangled in his hair as he devours me like we’re the only two people left in the world.
We stumble out of the elevator, still tangled up in each other’s arms, his mouth hot against my jaw, my laughter muffled against his shirt. Aleksander’s hand is firm at my waist, guiding me down a quiet hotel hallway. I feel drunk, though I’ve barely had a sip—my head spinning from the way he kisses me, the press of his body against mine.
We stop at a door. He swipes a key card, not missing a beat between kisses.
I can’t help but laugh, breathless. “You booked a room just like that?”
He grins, flashing that wicked, unstoppable confidence. “Just like that.”
I lean back a little, searching his face, heart racing. “Who are you?” I whisper, half-teasing, half-serious.
He silences the question with his mouth, kissing me deep and hungry, stealing the last bit of sense from my head. His hands are everywhere—my hair, my hips, the small of my back—pulling me close, making it impossible to think of anything but the wild pulse between us.
I hesitate for a second as he guides me inside, a little voice in my head whispering that I’ve never done this before, not like this. But then Aleksander cups my cheek, looks into my eyes with something fierce and gentle all at once, and the worry melts away. It feels right. Too right to stop.
He closes the door behind us, pushing me gently toward the bed, his lips never leaving my skin. My back hits the cool sheets and he’s right there, kneeling over me, hands sliding slowly up my thighs. His mouth trails down my neck, warm and open, then lower—kissing the tops of my breasts through the thin fabric of my dress, his hands already working the zipper loose.
The dress slips down my shoulders, baring me to the soft light. Aleksander’s lips find my bare skin, tongue flicking over my nipple, his hands steady and sure, sending sparks all through me. He kisses my breast, then the other, then up my neck again, his stubble scraping lightly against my skin. I arch into him, heat flooding everywhere he touches.
He lifts his head just enough to meet my gaze, and in that second, I feel more seen, more wanted, than I ever have in my life.
I reach for him, pulling him down, wanting more—wanting everything.
8
ALEKSANDER
LeavingBella is harder than I want to admit. She’s finally dozing, curled up in the seat, her breathing just starting to slow. But I have to move. There’s too much left to do before we land, and too many eyes already on me.
I slip out, pulling the suite door quietly shut behind me, and head toward the galley at the back where I know Nikolai is keeping watch. He sees me coming and straightens, looking every inch the bored business traveler. No one gives him a second glance.
“Any luck?” I ask quietly, keeping my voice low.
He shakes his head, glancing down at his phone. “He picked up, but he’s stalling. Says he needs more time to get near the servers without raising suspicion.”
I check my watch. Less than two hours until we’re wheels-down. My jaw tightens. “We don’t have more time. The pilot’s already reported the death. The police will be waiting the second we open the doors. If they find me or Bella on board, it’ll be a mess. I need a plan B.”
Nikolai’s expression hardens; the old soldier shows through. “I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen. You get Bella ready to go. I’ll handle the rest.”
I nod, heart pounding, my mind racing through every possible scenario—emergency landings, customs, too many cameras. “Be careful,” I tell him, because I can’t say what I’m really thinking:If this goes bad, it’s all on me.
He gives a small, humorless smile. “Always am, boss.”
He slips away down the aisle, already blending into the crowd. I linger just a second longer, trying to quiet the churn in my chest. The air in the cabin feels thin and close, heavy with expectation.
I head back toward Bella, my body taut with anticipation, the stakes higher than ever.
