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Both Ivan and Viktor nodded. I heard Sephie say, “Diabolical” quietly behind me. I could tell she was smiling when she said it, without looking at her. Ivan winked at her, grinning.
Chapter Forty-Three
Sephie
Viktor and Ivan decided to leave Andrei with us. They felt we might need him more than they did. They were only home for a few hours before they were back on the jet flying back to get Armando.
That night, as Adrik and I enjoyed time alone in the penthouse, I asked him, “Do you think we could go to the house until Viktor and Ivan get back? I mean, it’s fine if you think we should stay here. It would just be nice if I could go outside without worrying about dying. For at least a day or two.”
He looked thoughtful for a moment as he pulled my legs into his lap. My road rash was getting much better, so he could run his hands over my body without causing me more pain. I hadn’t realized how much I had missed that. His hands slowly ran up my legs, then back down. “I don’t see why that would be a problem, my love. We can ask Misha what he thinks. I know Andrei would like to go back to the house to see where things stand with Tori.” He looked over at me, with a devilish grin on his face and added, “Although I have to say I love you being able to wear nothing but my shirt around the entire penthouse without worrying about anyone else seeing.”
“Point for the penthouse. It’s also much closer to Vinny’s. Okay, two points for the penthouse. But it’s very peoplely here, where it’s not at the house. So, one point for the house, two for the penthouse. So far, the penthouse is winning.”
“We can get Vinny’s even at the house, solnishko,” he said laughing. “That shouldn’t be a deciding factor. I would argue that it’s a point for the house because you won’t be able to physically go to Vinny’s. I’ve decided I’m jealous of him,” he tried to look at me seriously but failed miserably. I immediately laughed, as I sat up and climbed into his lap, straddling him.
“Oh, Adrik,” I said as melodramatically as I could, “you have no reason to be jealous.” I was still smiling, but added, “You have my heart. Vinny might have my stomach, but we both know she’s easily bought. My heart, on the other hand, beats only for you.”
I felt his hands slide under his shirt to my lower back, pulling me closer to him. He looked surprised at my answer to his statement, said completely in jest. He looked me in the eyes, this time searching my eyes for what he was worried he was going to find. I smiled at him, knowing what he was doing, and held his gaze, allowing him to read any part of my soul he wished to. I placed my hands on his shoulders, my hands lightly running up his neck to his hair. He inhaled, smiling at me. “Every time I think I couldn’t possibly love you any more, you always prove me wrong.” He reached up, his hands in my hair, pulling me down to kiss me gently. “And I hope you never, ever stop proving me wrong,” he said, smiling against my lips.
The next morning, in the gym, Adrik asked Misha what his thoughts were about going to the house until Viktor and Ivan got back. He felt like it was a good decision, but poor Andrei looked terrified. That would mean he would have to face Tori. He still hadn’t called her because he was afraid of her reaction.
“You’re going to have to face her at some point, Bubba,” I said, trying hard not to laugh at his petrified expression.
“I think the fact that you don’t want to call her should tell you everything you need to know,” Stephen said. That guy was always so quiet, but he could come out with serious wisdom randomly.
Misha nodded his head, agreeing with Stephen. Adrik walked over, still breathing hard from lifting something heavy repeatedly. Dammit, he’s sexy. “Everyone needs to learn what they will and what they won’t put up with in a relationship. This is Andrei’s learning experience. He’s either going to learn what he wants or what he doesn’t want from Tori.” Dammit, he’s even sexier when he says such intelligent things. He caught me ogling him and smirked at me.
Andrei, still looking mostly terrified, said, “I might need backup to face her the first time.”
I walked over to the bench he was sitting on, leaning over his back with my arms around his neck. “I will protect you from the scary girl, Bubba.” I planted a kiss on his cheek, then immediately regretted it. “Ugh, sweaty. Why did I think that would be a good idea?” I wiped my mouth on his shirt, laughing at his objection.
A few hours later, we were on our way to the house. A very nervous Andrei in the driver’s seat of the SUV Adrik and I were in. I looked to Adrik, a devilish grin on my face, talking loud enough that I was sure that Andrei could hear me, “Do you think we should let Andrei go in first? Have a few moments alone with Tori before we come in and ruin his alone time?”
I noticed Andrei’s grip on the steering wheel tighten as well as his jaw clench. Adrik whispered into my ear, “You’re a little evil, solnishko,” then said louder, “I think that would be the polite thing to do. I know I would want a few moments alone with you if I hadn’t seen you for a few weeks.”
Andrei exhaled, his hand running through his short sandy blonde hair. Poor guy was going to have a heart attack before we ever made it to the house.
After we parked in front of the house, we all stepped out of the vehicles. Misha and Stephen walked back toward us, as they were in the vehicle ahead of us. “Misha, don’t you think we should let Andrei go in first to have a minute alone with Tori before we’re all there, up in his business?” I asked as innocently as I could but winking at him.
Misha immediately understood the assignment. “I was actually going to suggest that, gazelle. I think it’s only fair.”
Andrei looked from Misha to me to Adrik to Stephen. “I hate all of you.”
Misha and I looked at each other, then said in unison, “We know.”
Andrei walked up the steps to the front door, his head hung low like he was being punished. He was so nervous; I was starting to feel bad for him. Before he opened the front door, I yelled, “If we hear yelling, we’ll come save you.”
He didn’t even look back, he just flipped me the bird as he walked in the house. We all stood in the driveway, taking serious enjoyment from his predicament. It was quiet for a few minutes and then he walked back through the front door, looking completely relieved.
“She’s not here right now. She went to the store to restock since she found out we were coming today.” He exhaled, visibly looking like he’d barely escaped doom.
We all walked up the steps, still enjoying his situation a little too much. I slid my arm through one of his, pretending like I was talking into a microphone. “You’ve escaped death for now, Andrei. What are you going to do now?”
“I’m going to Disney World!” he said, playing along like he was talking into my pretend microphone.
“Who wants to go for a really long walk in, like, ten minutes?” I asked, grinning at him.
“Oh, me. Please take me,” he said, laughing.
