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I jumped and pressed up against Kristoff’s side.
Angel leaned against the kitchen island. “We had a bet going on which one of you had killed the other.”
Kristoff treated him to an icy stare.
I blushed. It felt awkward walking around half undressed. Kristoff put an arm around me and my cheeks burned even more. Any minute now, Angel would make a remark about my changed relationship status with Kristoff.
There was a silent exchange between the two men, which stretched for a few beats. Then Kristoff turned away and opened the fridge.
Angel tried to peer over his boss’ shoulder. “Is that Olga’s walnut cheesecake?”
Kristoff elbowed him away. “Nah, it’s celery salad. This week is vegan week.”
Angel pulled a face and left, muttering something about hippies ruining the culinary world.
I gave Kristoff a questioning look.
“He always steals my cheesecake.”
He sounded affronted, and I stifled a laugh. He took two spoons out of a drawer and handed me one.
I gushed. “You’re sharing your cheesecake with me? I’m honored.”
He grinned. “You should be.” His smile turned serious. “I’ll share everything I have and everything I am with you.”
Something in my soul clicked into place. This was it, I thought—the reason this place felt like home. He was the reason. No matter where I’d gone, I’d felt like I had left behind a piece of myself somewhere.
It was only when we went back to bed that I remembered he’d never answered my question about me going to Russia with him.
35
KRISTOFF
I ended the call with one of my Russian contacts and dropped my phone onto my desk, simmering with rage. My time was running out and Aslanov, the ornery asshole at the top of my kill list, just wouldn’t die.
“Bad news about Aslanov?” Viking guessed.
“Thesukais like a cockroach. Two more men failed at slitting the bastard’s throat.” By now I was almost convinced that he’d outlast a nuclear blast.
“You told Katya yet?”
“She’d bolt.” I’d never let her leave me of course, but she’d try anyway.
I remembered her question about her past. It didn’t sit right with me that she was still clueless about her father and her role in his upcoming demise. I was living on borrowed time, but I couldn’t come clean yet.
“She’ll run even harder if she hears it from someone else.”
“I’ll still catch her.” I’d asked her if she wanted this, and she’d said yes. She was mine for all eternity.
Viking’s lips quirked. It had become an annoying habit ever since he’d settled into his marriage. “Women have a tendency to not stay put.”
I took a sip of my drink. The vodka smoothly burned its way down my throat. “She asked about Russia.” Never in a million years would I take her there. Not only was it swarming with enemies she had no idea existed, they would also try to take her away from me.
I’d lain my claim for everyone to see. As soon as she had my ring on her finger, it would be etched in stone, my vow written in Bratva tradition. She would no longer be my ward, she’d be aVorywife. People like the Bulgarians, a wayward lawyer, and even Sokolov, would think twice before going after her. They’d all know what it would mean. I’d wipe out their existence if they touched what was mine.
However, there was one man, one potential threat left, who could put a claim on her by blood. Aslanov was a problem I had to deal with swiftly. The oldpakhanwas too protected on the inside. I needed to take him out as soon as he was released from prison, and I needed to get there before Sokolov did. It was the only way.
“Tell the men we leave for Russia in a few days.” If you wanted something done right, you had to do it yourself.
