“How about eggs and bacon?”
I smile. “Perfect.”
I follow her into the kitchen, leaning against the counter as she moves around, pulling out pans and ingredients.
“Anything I can help with?” I ask.
She turns, surprised. “You want to help in the kitchen?”
I raise an eyebrow. “Is there a problem with that?”
“No, I’m just… surprised. The big, bad Pakhan in the kitchen helping his wife?”
I push off the counter and walk over to her, grabbing her waist and pulling her against me.
“When we’re alone, I’m not the Pakhan. I’m just your husband. And as your husband, I’d very much like to help my wife in the kitchen. I don’t give a fuck about titles when it’s just us.”
She smiles, a real one that reaches her eyes. “You’re really doing a great job of sweeping me off my feet, you know that?”
I lean down, kissing her neck, nipping at the sensitive skin. “Is it working?”
She giggles, pushing at my chest. “A little.”
I reluctantly let her go, but I stay close, watching her move around the kitchen.
She even makes pancakes. I try to help with one batch and burn them completely. She laughs at me.
We sit down to eat together. The food is excellent. As we eat, I bring up what’s coming.
“I’m going out later,” I tell her. “And you’re coming with me. I don’t want to leave you here with no staff around.”
She looks up from her plate. “Where are we going?”
“To meet Adrian. Not necessarily. We're tailing him.”
Her fork pauses. “Adrian from the Society? Why? Do you think he orchestrated the attack?”
“I don’t know yet,” I admit. “But I’m going to find out.”
She nods slowly, processing. I can see the wheels turning in her head, but she doesn't ask any more questions.
For the rest of breakfast, I rack my brain for other people who might be behind the attack and ways to flush them out.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Calina
After breakfast, Maxim disappears into his study to work. I spend the day curled up in the library with a book.
At noon, we have lunch together, and Maxim orders take out, instead of me cooking.
When evening comes around, we head to the massive walk-in closet to get ready to trail Adrian.
I’m happy he’s taking me along. It feels like a small show of trust. I stand in front of the racks, running my fingers over the clothes.
“What are we supposed to wear to blend in at this bar?”
Maxim is already pulling out a pair of dark jeans. “Something casual but nice. We need to look like we belong there.”
