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In other words, this family discussion isn’t for the faint of heart.
“Can you see, Mikhail?” Nikko asks as he pulls up a second screen on a laptop.
Mikhail sits up on the screen, his eyes alert. “Clearly.”
“Excellent.”
Nikko hits a few buttons and an image that looks vaguely familiar pops onto the screen. When Aleksandr’s grip tightens on mine, I realize I know why it’s familiar. It’s footage from earlier today, outside.
Oh my God.
I stop breathing when I realize that’s…me. Holding a gun.
Those targets weren’t…thatfar away, were they?
Everyone watches in silence as I hit the first target, then the second. Audio booms from overhead speakers.
I suddenly remember what else we did out there. “Aleks,” I whisper in a strangled voice. “Shooting wasn’t the only?—”
“Don’t worry,” he whispers back. “I know exactly where every camera on this estate lies. You’re safe.” His eyes darken. “Do you think I’d fuck my wife where people could see?”
I shiver. God, he’s so damn protective and I love it so much. I swallow. “No.”
He kisses my cheek and says softly, “No one sees what’s mine, Harper. No one touches what’s mine. You’re my wife, for me and me alone.”
I swallow and nod as the footage continues.
I hit every damn target. It’s like having an out-of-body experience. I don’t even recognize the woman on the screen. She looks— capable. Confident.
Badass.
Finally, it’s as if someone hits a thaw button on the room and everyone springs into action.
Viktor curses reverently. Ekaterina’s eyes dance. Polina stares, her jaw unhinged.
Nikko grins. “I’ve never seen anything like it in my fucking life.” He shakes his head. “We’re having a contest. You all can place bets.”
“My money’s on Harper,” Lev mutters. He looks at me with newfound respect. “Who taught you?”
I lick my lips. “Um, no one.” I shrug. “It’s just… it kind of came naturally.”
Disbelieving murmurs go up, though no one’s bold enough to challenge me in front of Aleks. Kolya, however, chuckles. “I knew one man in the military with such precision. When the military caught wind of his prowess and skill, he became one oftheirmost beloved weapons.” His eyes cut to Aleks. “Advice, Aleksandr. Please consider keeping your wife’s exceptional talents between us alone, and no one else.No one.”
Aleksandr’s eyes harden. “Absolutely.”
“This is stunning, Harper,” Mikhail says with obvious admiration. “Would you object to aiding our family if we have need of your skill?”
I’m seriously kind of touched he asked me instead of just assuming. I clear my throat. “This is my family now,” I say. “Of course.” But do I really know the full extent of what I’m agreeing to?
“Oh myGod,” Polina breathes. “Can you teach me?”
I shake my head. “I’m sorry, I don’t have a single clue how to teach someone.”
“Which is exactly why you know her skill is natural,” Kolya confirms.
I like this guy.
“There’s something I’d like you to keep in mind, Harper.” I look up to the screen to see Mikhail’s serious gaze on me. “Please.”
