My men are already inside, moving through the space. I hired a team to furnish it yesterday. Modern but comfortable. Nothing too cold. I want her to be comfortable here.
"Sir," Viktor says, appearing at my side. "Everything is ready. The kitchen is fully stocked. Security system is operational and multiple Guards are positioned around the perimeter."
"Good," I say, adjusting my grip on Iris. "I want two men on rotation at all times. No one comes in or out without my permission. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"And get someone to prepare the master bedroom with fresh sheets. Make sure it's warm. She's been living in that tiny apartment with terrible heating."
He nods and disappears. I carry her up the stairs, taking my time. She's lighter than I expected. Or maybe I'm just that desperate to hold her.
The master bedroom is large, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the forest. She is going to love the view. The bed is king-sized, covered in soft white linens. There's a fireplace in the corner, already lit and crackling with warmth. A closet holding so many beautiful items I’m sure she’d love.
I lay her down gently, brushing her hair away from her face. God, she's beautiful.
I sit on the edge of the bed, just watching her. Her chest rises and falls steadily. Her lips are slightly parted. There's a small crease between her eyebrows, like she's dreaming about something that bothers her.
Probably me.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, but it's not mine. It's hers. I must've grabbed it when I put her in the car. The screen lights up with notifications. So many notifications.
Dad (15 missed calls)
Roman (8 missed calls)
Kirill (12 missed calls)
Dad: Iris, call me back immediately.
Dad: Where are you? The driver says you never showed up.
Dad: IRIS.
Roman: Pick up your phone.
Kirill: If you're trying to scare us, it's not funny.
I scroll through the messages, my jaw tightening with satisfaction.
They're panicking. Good. Let them panic.
Let them realize they can't protect her. That they never could.
I block all their numbers one by one, watching each contact disappear. Delete the messages. Then I scroll through her contacts, looking for anyone else who might be a problem.
There's not much. A few coworkers from the café. Tessa, still in the hospital in Russia. Some lawyer colleagues from her old firm.
No one who matters. No one who can take her from me. I turn off her phone completely and slip it into my pocket. She won't need it anymore. I stand, shrugging off my jacket and draping it over a chair. Then I unbutton my shirt, pulling it off and tossing it aside. My pants follow.
I'm exhausted. Two days of planning, and coordinating, making sure everything went perfectly. And it did, I have her in my arms once again. I climb into bed beside her, pulling the covers over both of us. I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her against my chest. Noting how she fits perfectly.
I bury my face in her hair, breathing in her sweet scent. "I love you," I whisper against her skin. "I know you're angry. I know you hate me right now. But I love you. And I'm never letting you go again." I say to her unresponsive sleeping form.
I close my eyes and let myself relax for the first time in weeks.
• • •
I wake up to the feeling of her shifting beside me. My eyes open immediately, my body tensing out of instinct. She's stirring. Her head moves slightly against the pillow, and then her eyes flutter open.
