“Technically, no. They can log a path while they’re in the air”
“I’m not asking for the legal method here.”
“We can ground the plane by force, but it won’t be pretty, and I can’t guarantee that everyone on the plane won’t be dead at the end of it.”
My frustration with this situation got the best of me. I raised my voice enough to drive my point home. “I pay you for guarantees. If they’re not scheduled to leave until the middle of the week then you have three days to fucking figure something out. If you don’t figure out how to both keep him from leaving, as well as keep him alive in the process, then it will be your life that is lost.”
I ended the call and put my phone back in my pocket. I looked down to see Sephie peeking up at me. “I’m sorry, solnishko. Business.”
Her beautiful smile stretched across her face, “No need to apologize. It wasn’t my life you were threatening just then.’
I inhaled sharply. I thought she didn’t understand Russian? She could gather I was threatening someone just from the tone of my voice? She was truly remarkable. I pulled her in front of me, taking in how stunning she was in the afternoon sunlight. “I will never tire of your beautiful smile,” I said. I watched the way the sunlight brought out new shades of red and auburn. Twirling a curl between my fingers, I added “nor your amazing hair.” My hands roamed over her back, wanting to feel her soft skin underneath her shirt, but not wanting to be too forward. I settled for holding her close and told her, “you look extra beautifu today.”
She laughed. Her smile growing wider, “it’s all the eye candy I’m surrounded by. It’s beauty by default.”
Whatever it was, I would gladly take it.
Adrik
We pulled up to the estate finally. It was close. Too close, considering we had Sephie with us. I already knew I would burn the entire city to the ground if something happened to her. She only just came into my life, but without her, the careful self-control I’d created since taking over from my father would be gone with her last breath. I would turn into him, and the city would pay.
We stepped out of the vehicle. She immediately ran to the vehicle behind us, straight to Viktor. She slammed into him, hugging his neck tightly. He was taken aback by her gesture and looked to me before moving. I simply nodded. He wrapped his arms around her, like an older brother reuniting with his favorite sister after a long absence. She then went to both Misha and Stephen and gave them each a hug too.
I couldn’t help but smile at her innocence. Her light shone so brightly that I was sure it could light the entire world. Even my men, who are normally quite grumpy and say very little, have all turned into little puppies around her. They will gladly follow her around, just to be near her. We all saw the good in her.
She made her way back toward me and Andrei, who was standing next to me. He stretched his arms wide and asked, “do I get one too?” She beamed at him as she ran to him. He picked her up and swung he around, as she squealed. I made a mental note that she enjoyed that. I caught myself wondering what else would make her squeal.
When Andrei set her down, he said “I could get used to that kind of appreciation.” She caught sight of Ivan and squared her shoulders as she walked to him. She extended her hand to him saying, “you don’t strike me as the hugging type.” He looked at her but was completely defenseless against how brightly her light shone on him. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into his bear arms, closing his eyes tightly like he was fighting back a flood of emotions. She said something to him, and I was shocked at his reaction. He laughed. Ivan has been working for me for ten years and I’ve rarely seen that man smile, much less laugh.
I shook my head, watching her with my men. They were all trained killers, but in the span of about 2 days she had wrapped every single one of them around her finger. And she had no idea.
She turned away from Ivan and made her way back to me. She wrapped her arms around me, placing her head on my chest. She whispered, just loud enough that only I could hear her, “I saved the best for last.”
It was that moment that I knew, unequivocally, that I was madly in love with this woman. I would die to protect her. I would work every day of this life to keep her by my side.
I kissed the top of her head, thinking about how happy I was in that moment. It didn’t make sense. We just escaped death, but we were all standing around smiling like idiots. Because of her.
“Come, let me show you to your room,” I said, grabbing her hand and walking toward the steps to the front door. Her e took eyes were wide with wonderment as she took in the house.
As we walked through the front door, she could see the grand staircase and the chandelier hanging from the high ceiling in the foyer. There were two wings off that main hallway. My men stayed in the east wing, while all the staff of the house stayed in the west wing. I had the top floor to myself. Sephie would be staying in a room right across from my bedroom, so I could be close to her while still giving her some space.
Sephie looked around, eyes still wide. “Are you going to have someone stationed periodically through the house just to give me directions?” She pretended to have a British accent as she said, “yes, madam, if you will just walk down the grand hall, there will be a phone at the end. Pick that up. They will direct you to the restroom from there.”
I just shook my head and led her to the stairs. “It’s really not that confusing. You’ll find your way around in no time. The important thing to remember is that the boys all have rooms to the right as you walk in the door. The kitchen is that way,” I said pointing to the left of the staircase. “I’ll show you to your room for now. I have some business to take care of, but if you like, I can show you around the rest of the house later.”
She nodded eagerly. “I would very much like.”
“How can I refuse then? I’ll give you the grand tour when I’m done. Come. Your room awaits,” I said, giving her my best butler impression.
She giggled and followed me up the stairs. Even the way her laugh echoed on the marble floors was music to my ears.
I stopped in front of her room, opening the double doors, and stepping aside for her to enter first. “Here we are, madam. Your suite.” She walked past me and gasped as she took in the room.
All of this? For me? Shit. I’m gonna get lost just trying to find the bathroom in this one room.” She paused, turning around to take in the full 360-degree view. “My entire apartment could fit in this room.”
I laughed. “Come, you haven’t even seen the best part yet,” I grabbed her hand and pulled her toward her private balcony. It overlooked the pool below, but she had the best view of the gardens, as well as the mountains in the distance. I would stand on this balcony during the summer nights, inhaling the sweet floral aroma from the hundreds of flowers below on nights when I couldn’t sleep.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.