“I’m just her half-brother, so D-Dima speaks for me.”
“Well, like I told Dima, I know you’ll think we haven’t known each other long enough or that our time together has been based on trauma, but I love Mila. I want nothing more in this world than for her to be my wife.”
“Just as D-Dima did, you have my b-blessing.”
A beaming smile lit up Kellan’s face. “Thank you, Maksim.”
With a grin, I said, “It’s you we should b-be thanking for t-taking her off our hands.”
From the foyer, a voice boomed, “I heard that!”
We all chuckled as she came barreling forward. She and the Neretti women hadn’t joined us for dinner since it was a business meeting. As she went to Kellan’s side, Mila’s face softened. “Thank you for your blessing, Maksim.”
“You d-don’t need to t-thank me. Just b-be happy.”
She gazed adoringly up at Kellan. “Oh, I will.”
Dima shook his head with a smile. “Even though Father desperately wanted a marital alliance with the Kavanaughs, he would’ve hated this one.”
“Because it wasn’t his golden child, Annika,” Mila mused.
“I t-think it worked out for t-the best.”
***
When I got back to the house, I found Oleg on high alert in the living room. Gazing around, I asked, “Where’s Sarah?”
“She’s in her room.”
“Did everything go okay?” When his jaw ticked, I cocked my brows. “What?”
“Ms. Whitfield is very talkative.”
I snorted. “Yes, I’m aware of t-that.”
“She was very interested in knowing more about you being pahkan.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I asked, “And how did she find out that information?”
He dipped his head. “It slipped.”
“Did it seem t-to b-bother her?”
“No. She was just curious. I decided it was best to distance myself from her then since your orders were clear on how to interact.”
“I appreciate t-that.”
“You’re welcome, sir.”
“You can retire to the pool house now. I’ll take over inside, and Nazar has the outside perimeter.”
“Yes, sir.”
After climbing the stairs, I made my way to Sarah’s room. As I stood outside, it was quiet. I rapped lightly on the wood. “Sarah?”
When she didn’t respond, I pushed the door open. My gaze spun around the room looking for her. At the sight of it being empty, my chest clenched. Had she given Oleg the slip and run away?
Just as I was about to turn to start tearing through the house, a moan came from the bathroom. Fuck, was she hurt? I rushed forward across the bedroom. When I got to the bathroom, I raised my fist to pound on the door when another low moan came from within.
