“I’ve put more men on the perimeter,” he murmurs, his voice low, for my ears only. “And I’ve initiated a full internal investigation. This will not happen again.”
I nod, leaning into his warmth. The terror of the chase still lingers, but his presence, his quiet strength, is a powerful antidote.
We sit in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds the soft hum of the city outside and Suzie’s continued attempts to get Iliya to crack a smile. She nearly has him there when the man’s head snaps toward the entryway. The door opens, then closes, and footsteps cross the marble-floored entryway.
A moment later, a man bearing a striking resemblance to Viktor, but with a heavier build and a rougher air, walks into the living room. His eyes, though the same piercing blue as Viktor’s, hold a different kind of intensity. Where Viktor’s holds a cool, intellectual gaze, this man’s has raw power. It’s the same with the younger man who comes in behind him—he’s about my age, tall, with dark, curly hair and dark eyes instead of blue.
I realize I’ve seen both men before—trading barbs with Clarissa at the gala for the animals.
“Andrei,” Viktor says, rising to greet him, a rare warmth in his voice. They embrace, a quick, firm clasp of hands and a brief hug.
“Viktor,” Andrei replies, his voice calm, measured. He glances at me, a polite, assessing nod. “I heard what happened. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, thank you,” I reply, trying to project a composure I don’t entirely feel. My instincts are a low, insistent hum.
Viktor turns to Andrei, his voice dropping, becoming serious. “We need to talk in my study.”
Andrei nods, his expression unreadable as he gestures to the tall young man. “But first, brother?—”
“Viktor,” he says, his voice a low rumble. “I would like to offer Marius’s services, specifically for Leah’s protective detail. Given the recent events, I believe an additional, dedicated presence would be prudent.”
Viktor pauses, considering. He glances at me, then back at Marius. “Very well. Come, we will talk more.”
The three men disappear, leaving me once more with Suzie and Iliya.
Iliya moves to a chair opposite the sofa, settling in, his presence is a solid, reassuring anchor. His eyes constantly scan the room, his posture relaxed, yet alert.
“Well, this is cozy,” Suzie mutters, trying to lighten the mood. “A sleepover with the Secret Service.”
I manage a small laugh. “Eliza will be so excited when she gets home from school. We haven’t had a sleepover in a long time.”
“Hey, Iliya.”
The man turns to look at my best friend, waiting silently for her to continue.
“Can you send someone out to get us ice cream? Rocky Road and Phish Food specifically. And sprinkles?—”
“Mini marshmallows and M&Ms,” I add.
“Mini marshmallows and M&Ms,” Suzie repeats.
“Doesn’t Rocky Road already have marshmallows in it?” Iliya asks, an odd lilt to his voice as his gaze settles on Suzie’s.
She sniffs. “One can never have enough marshmallows, Iliya.” The gleam is back in her eye, and I hold in a groan as she promises him, “You’ll learn soon. Don’t worry.”
Iliya’s eyes slip to meet mine, and I can tell he’s pretty sure heshouldworry.
“Oh, and can you get my dog, please?” Suzie asks sweetly. “I know he needs to go out by now, and you donotwant to have to clean that mess up. Plus, he’s never stayed on his own overnight. He’s a big baby, and he’ll wonder where I am.”
I can’t help it—the look on Iliya’s face makes me giggle, then laugh, and soon, Suzie joins me. The fear is still there, a dull buzz beneath the surface, but the immediate danger has passed. I’m safe, surrounded by men who, despite their dangerous world, are committed to keeping me that way.
As I watch Iliya, his face still stoic but with a faint hint of amusement returning as Suzie continues to wax poetically about her giant Great Dane, I can’t shake the feeling that the ‘complications’ Iliya spoke of are only just beginning. The mystery of why Viktor’s men would try to kidnap me still hangs heavy in the air, a dark cloud on the horizon.
But for now, in the quiet hum of the house, with Eliza safe under their watchful gaze, and with Viktor just a few rooms away, and his loyal men standing guard, I allow myself to breathe.
18
VIKTOR
