The look on Vera’s face tells me she understands exactly what I’m not saying. She studies me, those brown eyes sharp and assessing. Before I can question her, she rushes over to me, grabs me by the front of my shirt and yanks me down so her lips cover mine.
Her hands frame my face, and her lips are soft and desperate against mine. She tastes like salt from tears and something sweeter—something that’s uniquely her. The kiss is fierce and tender all at once, full of everything we can’t say out loud.
I love you.
Don’t die.
My hands find her waist automatically, pulling her against me despite the rage still singing through my veins. For just a moment—just this one stolen moment—I let myself feel the softness of her body, the way she fits against me like she was made for this, and the warmth of her breath on my lips.
The absolute terror of losing her.
My fingers curl into her sweater, holding her like she might disappear if I let go. One hand slides up to tangle in her hair,angling her head so I can deepen the kiss. She makes a small sound of pleasure and presses closer.
I pour everything into this kiss. Every word I can’t say. Every promise I want to make. Every ounce of love and fear and desperate need.
When we finally pull apart, we’re both breathing hard. Her eyes are bright but she doesn’t look scared.
She looks fierce.
“Be careful,” she whispers against my lips. “Please. Come back to me.”
“Always.” The word is a vow.
She gently touches my face once more then steps back and heads back to Mikhail. “I don’t think so,” she says sternly as Mikhail moves to carry her. “I can walk by myself.”
I groan, still feeling her lips on mine. “Vera, you promised.”
She glares at me. “I did no such thing. If you want me to go to the safe room, I am going towalkthere, like an actual adult. I will not be treated like a child, Dimitri.”
Mikhail looks at me helplessly.
Sighing, I acquiesce, ignoring the flare of triumph in Vera’s eyes. “Fine. Mikhail, you mayescortVera to the safe room.”
She smiles at me before turning to Mikhail. “Lead the way.”
She disappears into the hallway, and the moment she’s gone, the tenderness drains out of me as I refocus on what I need to do.
Viktor clears his throat awkwardly. When I look at him, he’s staring very intently at the wall and the ceiling. At literally anywhere except me.
The poor bastard looks like he’d also like to jump out the window too.
“Something to say, Viktor?” I ask lightly.
“No, sir.” His voice is strained but professional. “Absolutely nothing, sir.”
Despite the rage and violence churning through me, I almost smile. But there’s no time for humor. There’s no time for anything except what comes next.
“Get me everything,” I tell him, and my voice is all business now. “Every piece of evidence we’ve compiled. Financial records, phone logs, security footage, and forensic reports. All of it. I want it on a tablet I can carry. You have ten minutes.”
Viktor salutes. “Yes, sir.”
He's gone before I finish speaking.
I stand in the empty room, staring at the open window. He was here. In my house. Touching what’s mine.
The beast inside me (the part I usually keep carefully controlled and contained) strains against its leash. Not yet. Not until I have everything I need.
But soon.
