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“Web Application Firewall,” he says to Mikhail. “And yes, of course I have. My methods have, in the past, involved evasion through encoding and protocol tunneling, but there’s no goddamn way I’m going to give you details on anything else.”
“Hmm. Touché.”
ApparentlyAleksdoesn’t get in trouble for swearing. That is so unfair.
Mikhail crosses his arms on his chest so they now very much look exactly like brothers.
My computer dings. I pump the air.
“Your shipment is on the way via expedited shipping and will arrive on time. Your name is Gladys Anderson and you’re a multi-billionaire old lady, if anyone asks.”
Aleks snorts. “She got one right.”
Mikhail reaches for my chin and cups it. “Well done, little hacker,” he says. My chest warms at his praise even as my mind does a somersault.
Multi-billionaire?
God.
Mikhail’s phone rings. Silencing it, he starts to shove it into his pocket when it rings again. He exchanges a look with Aleks.
What’s going on?
Mikhail blows out a breath and answers the phone. “What?” He listens, his eyes darkening. “I’ll handle it.”
He’ll handle…what?
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Mikhail
I watchmy wife get ready for our gala, a bit stunned that she’s mine. I stare at her from a distance, sitting in my desk chair while she puts the finishing touches on her makeup.
Is she pregnant? I don't know, but I hope that it's just a matter of time.
It's not just that I need to secure my place aspakhanof the Romanov Bratva. It's so much more than that.
I want to solidify my relationship with the only woman I have ever loved. I need to make sure my family is secure, and establishing ourselves as a family unit with a solid footing in this world is the easiest way to do just that.
"You are a million miles away, Mikhail,” Aria says with a twinkle in her eyes. The nausea from this morning has abated, due in no small part to her ability to spar with Aleks. He is excellent at what he does.
She's better.
Aria comes alive under the light of a monitor, her fingers flying as if she's dancing. She circumvents every firewall, every safety mechanism in place until she gets what we need.
If the FBI knew about a woman like her, they would pay top dollar to secure her. Or put her in jail.
But Aria Romanov is mine.
Finally, she places her lipstick on the vanity I've installed in here for her and walks over gracefully to me like a satisfied kitten ready to purr. I reach my hand to the back of her neck and bring her mouth to mine while I hold her body to me.
“Lipthtick,” she mutters though her eyes twinkle at me. “Do you really wantPretty in Pinksmeared all over those lips?”
I shrug and drag a lazy hand across my lips. “Take a part of you with me? Of course.”
She places her hand on my shaven jaw, holding my eyes with hers.
“Listen, I know that we're basically swimming with sharks tonight. I further know that I'm basically diving in there with fresh blood on me. I know that they're prepared to attack, but I further know that you,” she reaches for my tie and adjusts it just so, "will do everything within your power to stop anyone from hurting me." She holds her head high. "Let's show them who we are.”
