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Still, I can’t get into all that with Viktor right now. Not when these bastards are so closely tied to my old Bratva and they left me alive after questioning me today. That would make me look far too suspicious, and I’m already on very thin ice with Viktor after having him walk in on us.
Because now he doesn’t just know Alina and I slept together. He knows I lied to him when he confronted me about it yesterday. I’m quickly finding myself in the very precarious position I’d hoped to avoid from the beginning. I find it highly ironic that now is the time it should all come to a head—when Alina and I should be celebrating one of the best nights of our lives.
“We don’t have to drop her all the way home, but we can either wait for her bodyguards or drop her off at her friend Katie’s house. I’m not leaving her alone,” I state flatly.
“We don’t have time to take her anywhere,” he snaps, his temper rising.
“It’s fine,” Alina cuts in. “I can just go with you and stay in the car. Vlad and Igor can meet us at this new location and either join in the fight if they’re needed or they can take me home.”
“No,” Viktor and I say simultaneously, both casting her warning looks.
Her shoulders slump, like she’s somehow disappointed to be missing out on all the action.
I don’t want her anywhere near danger. Driving her right up to the enemy’s lair would be like dangling bait in front of their noses, and there’s no chance in hell I’m willing to risk her safety. Especially now.
Sighing with exasperation, Viktor clenches his fists. “Where does Katie live?”
“A couple of blocks from campus,” Alina says, recovering quickly.
“Fine,” Viktor grits through his teeth, his lips twisted in a snarl. “Get dressed. I want you downstairs in less than five minutes.” He leaves without another word, slamming the door behind him hard enough to rattle the utensils hanging in my kitchen.
Alina turns her head to look at me with wide eyes, then bursts into breathless laughter. We both stay frozen for several seconds, too stunned to fully believe what just happened.
“I really thought he might shoot you,” she breathes as her hysterical humor subsides.
“Yeah, well, the night’s still young,” I say with a dark smile.
Guilt hits me as Alina’s face falls, concern lighting her eyes. “I shouldn’t have asked you to bring me here,” she murmurs. “I didn’t realize… It was too big a risk.”
“It’s fine, Alina. Really. I assure you, that’s the first time he’s barged into my apartment. If he made it a regular practice, I never would have agreed to bring you here in the first place. It was just bad luck. But I’m sure he won’t actually shoot me.” The last thing I need to do is give her another reason to resist going home. “Like he said, he needs me for the fight. Now, come on. Get dressed. I want to know you’re somewhere safe before we head out.”
“I don’t like you going into a fight,” she says as she collects her jeans from the floor and slips them on. “What if you don’t come back? These men are evil, Mishka. They’ll do anything to get revenge.”
Her words hit far too close to home for comfort, though I don’t think she even registers how easily she could be talking about me in the same breath. After all, I came after the Sakharovs for vengeance—just like the men we’re hunting. But even in my darkest moments, I never would have used Alina to punish Sergio. That’s why these men need to be put down. They’re mad dogs, willing to destroy anyone to get what they want.
“I’ll be fine, Alina. I was made for this. Remember, I’ve had a lifetime of survival training.” I smile ruefully, knowing that as big of a bastard as my father was, it’s moments like these that I can appreciate everything he taught me. “Staying alive is what I do best.”
Tears glisten in her eyes, and she shakes her head. “How can you be so sure?”
“Have I ever given you a reason to doubt me?” I ask softly, stepping close to place my hands on her hips. “I can handle myself.”
Biting her lip, Alina reaches up to gently run her thumb over the bruise circling my eye. “Weren’t they the ones responsible for this?”
“The bastard caught me off guard with a cheap shot is all. It won’t happen again.”
“But now that Viktor knows about us, you might not have anyone to watch your back,” she murmurs, her shirt forgotten in her hand as her anxiety rises. “If you die, it’ll be all my fault.”
Sighing, I take her shirt and guide it over her head, dressing her to make sure we meet her brother’s deadline. “Like Viktor said, he doesn’t have time to think about you and me right now. Whatever happens because I couldn’t stay away from you… I’m willing to face it. And I think we all agree that it can wait until after the fighting’s done. But I’m not sitting this one out, Alina. These men hurt you. They threatened your life—the life of our child. They don’t get to live after that,” I finish darkly, murder thick in my veins.
Alina’s lip trembles, but this time, she nods. I know she only gave in because she wants to protect our baby as much as I do. Honestly, I don’t care the reason, so long as she’s safe.
“Good.” Capturing her chin, I tilt her face up and steal one more passionate kiss. It might just be the last opportunity I get, because after seeing Viktor’s face when he found us together, I don’t doubt this night will end badly for me, one way or another. So, I take my time, savoring her soft, full lips. The sweet flavor of her tongue. The way her breath catches when I touch her.
And when our lips part, I feel as though I’ve left a part of me behind.
In truth, I have no clue how I’m supposed to make it out alive this time. These men are skilled and ruthless. They have a smart leader at their head. We could be walking into a trap, for all I know.
And if I don’t die at their hands, I know Viktor will be waiting to finish the job. He could just as easily shoot me in the back during a firefight and call it an accident. So, despite what I said, I’m far from confident that I’ll survive.
