I wrap my arms around his waist and savor being so close to him. “You won’t just up and leave me when we have a fight?”
He presses a kiss on my hair. “I won’t.”
“You’re forgiven.” I snuggle against his chest. “And I can get used to this.”
“Me holding you?” When I nod, he murmurs, “Good.”
Chapter 10
CARSON
“They’re scattered through Europe like fucking cockroaches,” Alexei grumbles.
“Which means a lot of traveling,” Demitri says as he puts a hitlist together.
I glance over the photos of the Albanians Demitri has gathered and recognize the two men from the club. Rudaj’s cousins.
I point at the one. “This guy. Admir. He’s trained.”
“You fought him?” Demitri asks.
I shake my head. “Hailey was there.” I glance between Alexei and Demitri. “But from the way he moved it’s clear he had training.”
“I’ll deal with him,” Demitri says.
Alexei’s eyes drop to the tag hanging from the chain around my neck. “Let's do a check.”
Glancing down, I take hold of the tag and press the small button at the back. Instantly Alexei’s phone sounds an alarm.
I wait for him to turn it off, then say, "Yours."
He checks his panic button, and the signal comes through to my phone, then I say, “I’m thinking of getting one made for Hailey.”
“That’s a good idea,” Demitri agrees. “I’ll put in the order.”
As Demitri goes to make the call, Alexei says, “You really care for this girl?”
There’s no use in denying it anymore. “Yes.”
“Bring her.” I freeze for a moment. “I want to meet her.”
“You don’t think it’s too soon?” I ask, not sure how Hailey will handle meeting my brother.
“We’ll eat together. I want to see if she’s worthy of my brother.”
I nod, knowing that once Alexei’s set his mind on something, there’s no changing it.
“Now,” he orders.
“If she’s home,” I mutter. Leaving the armory, I head out of the house.
During the walk to Hailey’s cabin, my thoughts turn to Wednesday night. I only left her place yesterday afternoon. We talked and kissed right through the night and morning, and it feels like a dream.
One I can wake up from at any moment.
As I near the cabin, everything looks quiet, and I start to doubt if she’s home. Checking the time, I see it’s just gone past ten in the morning. I walk up to the front door and knock. Glancing around the area, I wait a couple of seconds before I knock again.
“I’m coming,” Hailey calls.
I take a step back from the door and tuck my hands in the pockets of my coat. It takes another couple of seconds before she opens for me.
I’m met with Hailey peeking at me from behind the door. “Hey, can you give me a minute? I’m getting dressed.”
My one eyebrow lifts, and placing my hand on the door, I push against it until it’s no longer in my way. She’s only wearing a t-shirt and panties, and the sight instantly makes me go hard.
Stepping inside, I shut the door, and then my eyes take in every inch of her. “I like what you’re wearing now.”
“Yeah?” Hailey’s eyelashes flutter, and a seductive smile forms around her full lips.
I step closer until our bodies are only an inch from each other. Hailey tilts her head back, desire darkening her eyes into stormy pools.
I place a hand on her hip and slowly move it up beneath her shirt. When I reach the swell of her breast, my thumb skims over the lace covering it.
“You’re looking for trouble,” I murmur.
She nods as she lifts her arms, wrapping them around my neck. “Oh, definitely.”
Leaning down, I press a kiss to her mouth, then I say, “Get dressed. Alexei wants to meet you.”
The desire flees from her face, and her eyes widen. “Now?”
Sliding my hand back down her side, I give her hip a squeeze. “Now.”
If it were up to me, I’d strip the meager clothes she’s wearing off and spend the day tasting every inch of her.
“Go,” I grind the word out, my control faltering.
“Okay.”
When she turns away from me and walks toward the stairs, the sight of her ass draws a groan from me. “Faster!”
She lets out a chuckle as she darts up the stairs, and I reach down to adjust my cock.
I glance around the kitchen and living room, and seeing a framed photo on the coffee table, I walk toward it. It’s of an older couple and Hailey.
Her parents.
They have happy faces, just like their daughter.
My eyes lock on Hailey’s mother. She looks like a mother should, gentle and caring.
I’ve stopped wondering what it would’ve been like to have a mother, but I’m glad Hailey has this woman.
I hear movement, and then Hailey comes down the stairs. “I’m ready.”
Turning to her, I take in the jeans and sneakers. It’s only then I realize I’ve never seen Hailey wearing make-up or dressing up.