Ludmilla's fingers tighten on my shoulder, ever so slightly, and when I glance at her, she's smiling.
"I told you."
"Told me what?"
"That you’ve fallen for her."
“You also told me that I would be afraid that she won’t fall for me back.”
“And has she?”
“I think so,” I answer her. “She’s agreed to go on a date with me tomorrow night. A real date.”
Ludmilla's smile widens. "A date."
"I need the penthouse empty when we return."
"Ah." Her eyes twinkle. "That kind of date."
I give her a stare. "Ludmilla."
"What? I'm old, Slavochka, but I was young once." She pats my arm. "I’ll make sure this place is empty for you and keep your son company while you remember what it feels like to be in love again."
In love again.
The phrase ripples through my chest and keeps spreading until it touches everything that I thought died six years ago.
"It’s not what I expected," I say quietly.
"Love never is."
"Thank you, Ludmilla Iosifovna."
“For what?”
“For believing that I can love again.”
She gives me a knowing smile, and then bows slightly before she walks away. "You deserve this, Slava. You deserve to be happy."
I don't know if she's right. But for the first time in six years, I'm willing to find out.
The call comes shortlybefore dawn.
I'm in my office, reviewing security protocols that now feel inadequate, when my phone lights up with Alik's name. As soon as I see it, my blood pressure spikes.
Alik doesn't call at this hour unless something has gone very wrong.
"What happened?" I bark into the phone.
"The chateau got hit."
“What?”
"Details are still fuzzy, but there’s D'Ambrosio dead and wounded all over the fucking grounds. They came with a fucking army."
My blood goes cold, and suddenly I feel even gladder than before that I did listen to Bella and brought Alessandro back with us.
"Casualties?"
