Page 51 of The Russian's Bought Bride

But a few minutes later, her breathing evens out completely, and soon enough, she’s asleep.

Instead of joining her, I stay awake, watching her and how the tension finally leaves her body for the first time since I met her.

She looks peaceful like this, safe and completely unguarded.

Before I can stop it, an ugly instinct twists in my chest at the realization that I’m the reason she lost that peace to begin with.

Maybe not directly, but still, if I hadn’t gotten involved…

But no, I know that’s not true. If I hadn’t gotten involved, she’d be dead, and the thought hardens instantly inside me.

Whatever mistakes I’ve made since then, I’d still make the same choice again. Every damn time, as long as it means knowing she’s alive, and she still has the chance to live her life regardless of what has been taken away.

Shifting slightly onto my back, I stare up at the ceiling while Dani sleeps against my side, all warmth and gentle presence.

I need to figure this out.

From the operation, Malenkov and Volodin, to my family and her future. All of it.

She deserves better than being trapped in limbo inside my house while enemies circle around us, and she deserves something normal.

Regardless of what it costs me, somewhere along the line, I started wanting to give it to her.

***

My phone vibrating against the nightstand drags me out of a light sleep hours later, and before I’m fully awake, I reach for it, preventing the second ring from waking Danielle.

Through bleary vision, I catch Ruslan’s name, and I slide carefully out of bed, then step into the hallway before answering.

“What?”

Ruslan doesn’t waste time, thankfully. “We caught movement.”

Every trace of exhaustion disappears from my body immediately, and I dial in to the implication. “Where?”

“One of Malenkov’s men was spotted on the strip an hour ago,” he says. “Another was seen southbound along the outskirts.”

My jaw tightens. “They’re regrouping already?”

“It looks like it. I don’t imagine hiding out is good for business.”

Leaning against the hallway wall, I take a breath and force down the urge to lose my head over this.

Fumbling the plan by taking Dani was one thing, and having their operations on hold for the time being was a more positive outcome, but now, they’re wasting no time. They’re back at it far sooner than I anticipated.

“And Volodin?”

“He was seen entering one of their old clinics yesterday morning,” he murmurs, well aware of what that means.

So they’re rebuilding already. That’s bold, even for someone as advantageous as they are.

“Some of their people have been spotted near your family’s turf,” Ruslan adds. “Closer than usual.”

Ice slides down my spine instantly, as that is too close to home for my liking.

It isn’t random, then. This has to be intentional.

I stare into the darkness of the hallway as anger builds quickly beneath my ribs.