Then I see her curled up on the couch with the blanket from the back of the couch pulled over her shoulders.
I stop and grit my teeth as the waves of adrenaline continue to course through my body, but they're tempered by relief that washes over me. I literally thought I was going to have to go on a murdering spree, and all she did was move from my bed to the couch to get away from me. It's insulting, but at least she's safe.
I put the gun down on the kitchen counter and run my hands through my hair while trying to slow my breathing. The anger comes next. She scared the shit out of me by not being where Ileft her. My hands splay on the island's cool granite while I press my eyes closed and focus on not exploding.
Tatiana has no fucking clue what risk I'm taking to watch out for her, and I have zero obligation to do this too. I could turn her loose and let Malcom and his goons hunt her down. It won't solve my greater problem, but it would remove some stress off my shoulders while I work with my team to root out the people inside my organization.
I'm not just going to keep putting up with her shit indefinitely. I deserve better than that. But when I look up at her and see how peaceful she looks in my home, I start to feel guilty for getting angry with her. I know this isn't her fault any more than it's mine, but knowing that doesn’t make it easier for a man like me to keep myself patient and not blow up at her.
I don't try to wake her. Instead, I head back to the bedroom and get dressed for the day. Dark jeans and a button-down shirt. My shoulder holster with the gun I grabbed from the nightstand. A jacket to cover it all. Then I return to the kitchen to start my morning routine.
The coffee maker is loud, and I half expect it to wake her, but she doesn't stir. She's exhausted from everything that's happened in the past few days and her body is finally forcing her to rest, whether she wants to or not. Now, without alcohol pulling her under, I hope she's truly resting and letting her body unwind.
I pour myself a cup and lean against the counter while scrolling through messages on my phone. Lev sent an update overnight about tracking the car from the casino footage. They've got a partial plate and they're running it through databases to find a match.
Yuri sent a message reminding me to be careful and to keep Tatiana locked down until we eliminate the threat. Like I need the reminder. He's such a nag. I'm forty years old. I don't need a parent anymore. Though, knowing I finally have someone who has my back is a good feeling to have.
I'm almost ready to leave when my phone rings. The sound cuts through the silence, and I see Tatiana stir in her sleep. I answer it quickly to silence the ringer, and I recognize Vadim's number.
"Tell me you've got something," I say, keeping my voice low, but Tatiana's already sitting up looking at me.
"We identified the killer." Vadim sounds satisfied. "He's definitely a Kozlov member—a mid-level enforcer who's been working for Malcom for the past three years."
"Where is he?" I set my coffee down and walk toward the windows so Tatiana can't hear every word we're saying. It's not that I need to keep this a secret since I won't be letting her go home anytime soon, but the less she knows, the more plausible deniability she has. And the safer I'll feel.
"We tracked him to a warehouse on the east side. Same place they've been using as a base since we took out most of their operation." Vadim pauses. "Fyodor and I are heading there now. You want in?"
"Send me the address." I'm already thinking through what weapons I need to bring. "I'll meet you there in thirty minutes."
"See you soon." Vadim ends the call, and before I even slide it into my pocket, my phone buzzes with a text containing the location.
"Where are you going?" Tatiana walks up behind me, and I turn to find her standing with the blanket wrapped around her shoulders and her hair a mess. Her eyes are still groggy with sleep. She has a bit of drool dried on the corner of her mouth, and I don’t even want to smell her dragon breath. But God, is she still as beautiful as ever.
"I have business to handle." I pocket my phone. "You're staying here."
"I want to leave." She pulls the blanket tighter around her body and I see the curve of her hip more pronounced. I know what's under that blanket. I might well be tempted to stay here if she's not careful. "I can't stay locked in this penthouse forever. Let me go."
"No." I walk past her toward the bedroom to grab my other gun. "We've already had this conversation."
"Then have it again." She follows me. "I'm not your prisoner. You can't just keep me here against my will."
"I can and I am." I check the magazine in my backup piece before sliding it into my boot. "Until the threat is eliminated, you stay exactly where I can protect you."
"This isn't protection, Dimitri." Her voice rises. "I have rights. I could call the police and tell them you're holding me here."
"Go ahead." I straighten up and face her. "Tell the same police who refused to help you when you reported the murder. See how far that gets you."
She opens her mouth to argue, but nothing comes out because she knows I'm right. The police aren't going to help her and weboth know it. And the dirty scowl that comes across her face as she scoffs and snorts is precious.
"If you're bored, I'll assign someone to take you around the casino." I soften my tone slightly as I remember I'm not dealing with one of my men and she's never going to respond favorably to my commands. "Lazar can escort you downstairs to work or to the card tables if you want to play. But you don't leave the building under any circumstances."
"I don't want a babysitter." She pulls the blanket tighter. "I want to leave."
"That's not happening. I told you that." I walk past her back into the living room. "Lazar will check in with you this afternoon. If you want to get out of the penthouse for a few hours, he'll make sure you're safe." My mind is made up and she can fight all she wants, but she won’t change it. "Or you can stay here alone until I get back." I grab my coffee mug from the counter where I left it as I pull my phone out to send a message to Vadim as I walk toward the door. "Your choice."
She doesn't respond, and I take that as acceptance. I head for the door, and she stays in the living room wrapped in her blanket looking miserable. Part of me feels bad for doing this to her, but I know it's the only safe place for her and I don't have time for that right now. It's part of this world she will never understand. When things need to happen, you don't have time to question orders or explain why. You just do them and deal with it later.
Gleb's standing at his usual post when I step into the hallway. "Watch her carefully. She tried to leave last night."
