When we reach the stables, Rue lets go, marches straight to the last stall, and points proudly at a white horse with a shiny black tail.
“That’s Snickers. Isn’t he beautiful?”
“He’s gorgeous.” I step closer just as Jace opens the stall.
The horse lifts his head and lets me stroke his nose.
“Daddy, look, he likes her. Can we let Sloane ride him?”
“Only if she wants to.” He rests his hand on the top of the gate.
“Oh, I don’t know.” I chuckle nervously. “I’d probably fall and hurt myself.”
“Don’t worry. My daddy will help.” She shimmies up to him and wraps her arms around his legs. “He’s very strong,” she throws in proudly like it’s a proven fact, not even slightly up for debate.
And the way Jace stands just a little taller, eyes warm… Yeah, she just made her daddy feel like a damn superhero, and she knows it too.
He steps toward the horse and starts getting him ready, calm and unhurried, like he’s giving me time to change my mind. I watch him work and try not to overthink it, but my nerves are already building.
When he finishes, he looks back at me. “You wanna try?”
My stomach flips.
“That depends….” I grimace playfully. “Are you absolutely sure he’s not going to throw me off?”
“I’m sure. You’ll be fine.” A miniscule smile pulls at his face, and there’s something calming in his voice that makes it easier to believe him. “Snickers will take care of you.”
His palm feathers down the horse’s head right before he offers his hand. I take it, trying not to show how badly I’m scared. The second I lift my boot and his other hand slides to my hip, a low rumble cuts through the air, the sound of tires crunching in fast.
“What the hell?” He lowers me back down, and we all turn at the same time.
I recognize the SUV immediately.
Kirill.
My heart kicks hard against my ribs. I can’t imagine why he’s here, but seeing him again sends a rush through me I don’t even try to fight.
Greer’s body stiffens beside me, her tone sharpening. “Who the hell is that?”
“A Marinov.” He places his hand around the outline of a pistol at his waist that I missed.
She lets out a low laugh. “Which one?”
The SUV comes to a sharp stop, and before the dust can settle, the driver’s door flies open, then the passenger side. He steps out with Lev, whose headphones are hanging around his neck.
Kirill storms in, his eyes locked on Jace’s hand still hovering near my hip, his mouth set in a flat line. His gaze sparks pure fire, burning across my skin. I feel it before he even reaches us.
Jace straightens, his hand dropping, but neither of them dares to look away. Kirill stops just short of him, close enough that it’s a challenge.
I step back, putting space between us, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference at all.
Well, this is fun…
“Oh, man. Here they go being all sexy and angry again,” Mandy whispers.
I give her ahush itstare.
When Lev sees me, his face brightens.
