Page 69 of The Bratva King

“Is he in his office?”

“He’s busy.”

“I heard you, but I really need to see him.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am.”

“Look, it’ll take two minutes. Trust me, he wants to talk to me.”

Nothing.

“Please, can you just tell Mr. Sokolov I’m here?”

He looks at me, and every insecurity I have rises at once. He thinks I’m lying. Or nuts. A stalker.

“Name?”

“Gabby Collins.”

He speaks quietly into his sleeve. In Russian, of course. I hear my name, followed by a short response through his earpiece.

He steps aside. “Private elevator. Top floor.”

I walk fast before he can change his mind.

The elevator requires a key card. He scans his card, presses the button, and the doors close between us.

When they open, another guard is waiting. He leads me down a quiet hallway and stops outside a set of dark double doors.

“Go ahead.”

I knock twice.

“Come in,” Nikolai calls.

I push open the door.

He’s behind his desk with his jacket off and his sleeves rolled to his forearms, exposing an array of tattoos. He looks up from his laptop and sees me.

“Hi,” I say.

“Miss Collins.”

“Gabby. Please.”

I step inside and close the door behind me. The office is quiet. From up here, I can see the casino floor below, but no one can see in. From here, Nikolai can see everything.

“I just wanted to come and say thank you.” I take a breath and walk around his desk. I don’t want anything between us when I say this. “You have done more for me and my son in a week than anyone has ever done for me.”

He continues to watch me with those piercing blue eyes.

“Nobody has ever understood the challenges. I think you do.”

He turns in his chair until he’s facing me. I take another step closer, my eyes locked on his. I came in here to say thank you, but that’s not all I want anymore.

His gaze drops to my mouth before he meets my eyes again. The air tightens between us. Until now, I’ve only let myself see the man who helped us. The man who made Luke feel safe.

Right now, I see the man I want to touch. The man I want touching me.