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On instinct, I raised the weapon toward the doorway in front of me, prepared to take whatever action necessary.
Just as someone walked just inside the living room.
In the days and nights of grieving, every image of the selfish redemption I’d felt in finding someone capable of pulling me from the darkness had surfaced. The joyful smiles and the way she used to wrinkle her nose when frustrated with me, which was often.
The powerful shimmer in her eyes when making a point. Her hands as they smoothed down her dress or when she gently tugged at a stray strand of hair when she was nervous.
How every time she’d moved her body to whatever music was playing, the long line of her neck that added a powerful presence when she entered a room. I could also hear the echo of her laugh as well as the soft whispers of sound when embroiled in our passion.
They were all there, swirling through my mind as I slowly lowered my weapon, sound caught briefly in my throat.
Until she took a step closer, her eyes imploring mine.
“Maxsim.”
CHAPTER 8
Isabel
How many times had I envisioned Maxsim’s rugged face during the long, sleepless nights of sheer hell? How many times had I wished to feel the coarse stubble of his beard scratching my skin when he kissed me or the softness of his lips as he consumed my mouth?
And how many times could I almost feel his strong arms holding me, whispered words telling me everything was going to be okay? Even when I knew otherwise.
Seeing him standing only a few feet away brought every image, every scattered vision back to the forefront of my mind.
He was just as I remembered, rugged and masculine, his broad shoulders filling out the leather jacket he was wearing. With his long legs filling out a pair of jeans and his dark hair caressing his forehead and cheeks, his stance alone reminded me of why I’d fallen so hard for the man.
Yet his eyes were darker than before, the deep blue appearing like storm clouds lit by lightning.
In his hand was a weapon, but as soon as he saw me, he lowered it. His knuckles were white from the tight hold, his jaw clenched as if in disbelief.
“Isabel.” The deep tremor of his voice sent a wave of electric sensations through me.
I took a step closer, uncertain how to react and so nervous I was wringing my hands. He slid the weapon into his jacket while his gaze fell to my feet.
Even in only a few weeks, I’d lost weight and I hadn’t realized how many cuts and bruises I had. I wasn’t certain he could tell it was me. “Maxsim, I…” The two words screamed of anguish and I’d fought wave after wave of tears even when I’d known we were safe after Genevieve came to the diner to pick us up.
He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling and just when I wasn’t certain he was happy to see me, he took three long strides and I was in his arms.
“Isabel. Oh, my God. Isabel.” He cupped my face, pulling me against him with such gentleness I sensed he was fearful I either didn’t exist or would shatter into a million pieces.
“You’re really here.”
He lowered his head, his breathing just as labored as mine. “Yes, baby. I’m here and I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”
As soon as he crushed his mouth over mine, all the heavy weight I’d been carrying slipped away, crashing slowly to the floor and all that was left were the broken pieces of my heart. He held me close as he swept his tongue inside, the warmth of his body allowing me to believe everything would indeed be okay.
How I’d longed for the taste of him, wishing I could hear the words of seduction spoken in Russian just one more time. Tears slipped past my lashes while the kiss reminded me of how intense our relationship was.
God, I’d missed this man more than I thought possible. He was here. He wasn’t going to let me go. He was my savior.
There was no understanding of how much time passed, but when he finally pulled our lips free, I clung to him, forcing him to remain close. I took several shallow breaths as my pulse raced and every inch of me tingled from the electricity shared.
“You’re alive,” he managed. “You’re hurt.”
“I’m okay.”
“I will fucking kill them.”
