ISABELLA
With my left arm in a brace, I’m dressed in a black pair of leggings and a t-shirt. Sitting on the side of the bed, my eyes are on Alexei’s back, where he’s talking to the doctor.
When he turns around and starts to walk toward me, it feels as if I’m being stalked by a predator. But, instead of feeling fear, it causes a fluttering in my stomach.
I climb to my feet, my body still weak. My left side aches, and I’m covered in bruises. Alexei said it’s because I fell on that side and took two bullets.
A tender smile curves his mouth, softening his dark features. “Ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say.
Alexei holds his hand out to me, and I get a feeling he wants to make it feel like this is my choice.
My eyes lift to his. “If I wanted to leave on my own, would you let me?”
He turns and gestures to the door. “The choice is yours.”
Just to test him, I walk past him and out of the room. I spare the nurse a glance, murmuring, “Thank you.” I feel Alexei behind me as I open a door and walk down a hallway.
“Straight ahead. We use the back entrance,” Alexei murmurs, sounding amused by my actions.
When I step out of the building and into the bright sunlight, I instinctively glance around, taking in the buildings, the windows, the rooftops – every single hiding place a sniper can use.
Familiarity shudders through me, making me gasp.
Instantly Alexei’s by my side, looking at me with concern. “You okay?”
I lift my hand to my racing heart and press my fingers to my chest. “I just felt something familiar.”
“What?” The worry etches deeper onto his face.
“The first thing I did was check my surroundings as if it’s second nature.”
Relief washes over his features. He must be glad that I recall something.
“It should be second nature with the lives we lead,” he says, then he gestures to a black SUV. “So, what’s your choice? Coming with me or taking a chance on your own?”
I let out a chuckle. “Of course I’m going with you. I don’t plan on sleeping on the street tonight.”
A wide smile spreads over his face, and then he walks to the SUV, opening the passenger door for me.
It’s only as I climb into the vehicle that I think to ask, “Where’s Demitri? I thought you were always together.”
“He’s impatiently waiting at home,” Alexei answers before shutting my door and walking around the front of the SUV. When he slides behind the steering wheel and starts the engine, he says, “Do you want to move some of your things into one of the guest rooms when we get home?”
Oh shit. Right. I probably share a room with him.
When I don’t answer immediately, Alexei gives me a comforting smile. “You don’t have to decide now. See how you feel later. Okay?”
I nod, and then Alexei hands me a phone. “Your old one got crushed in the fall, so I got you a new one.”
“Oh… thanks.” I stare at the device for a moment and then glance out of the windows, taking in our surroundings as Alexei drives us home.
Home.
Still feels weird.
When we come to a stop in front of an impressive Mediterranean-style mansion, I can’t help but admire it. Climbing out of the SUV, I glance around the landscaped garden and then turn to stare at the place I’ll call home.
I’m surprised to not see any guards and glance at Alexei, where he’s watching my reaction like a hawk. “No guards?”
My question makes him let out a burst of laughter. “We don’t need guards.”
True. A person would be stupid to try and attack Alexei in his home.
“You’ll also meet Nikhil and Sacha today. They work for me and keep Ariana safe whenever Demitri and I have a job.”
“Not me?” I ask.
“You don’t need a bodyguard, little one,” Alexei says, admiration shimmering in his voice. “You can take care of yourself.”
I lower my eyes to my left arm that’s stuck in a sling.
Alexei comes to stand in front of me, and lifting a hand, he places a finger beneath my chin. He nudges my face up, and when our eyes meet, he says, “Until you’re healed, I’m not leaving your side. As soon as you’re able to, we’ll start training and get you back to your old self.”
His words make me feel better, and this time when he holds his hand out to me, I take it. Our fingers interlink, and again something hums deep inside of me.
Climbing the steps, we walk into the mansion, and I glance around the interior of the home I share with the man next to me.
My fiancé.
Taking a deep breath, I look at the expensive art on the walls, the lavish décor, and then my eyes follow the stairs up to the second floor.
“Did I help decorate the place?”
“No.” When I turn my gaze to Alexei’s, he explains, “We were going to redecorate after the wedding.”
Nodding, I begin to walk toward the stairs. “Why? I think it looks great.”
Alexei gives my hand a squeeze. “You just wanted to add your own touch.”
When we reach the second floor, I glance around us, then ask, “Which way is our room.”
“We’re in the right wing. Demitri and Ariana have taken over the left wing.”
“Okay,” I glance to my left, but not seeing anyone, I follow Alexei down another hallway.
Stepping into a luxurious suite that’s decorated in creams and black, my eyes go straight to the king-size bed.
Alexei notices what I’m staring at and says, “It’s your choice.”
Nodding, I glance around the suite. There’s a dressing table, and I move closer to it. Reaching for a bottle of perfume, I squirt some into the air to sniff it.
“That’s your favorite,” Alexei murmurs as he comes up behind me. “Your scent is one of the first things I fell in love with.”
I look at the black decanter and read the name, “Fucking Fabulous.” A smile tugs at my lips. “I have good taste.”
“You do,” Alexei agrees.
Setting the perfume down, I begin to walk toward the closet. Stepping inside, my eyes scan over the right side where Alexei’s clothes are, and then I look to the left.
There’s a stark contrast between the expensive dresses and suits and the black combat wear.
I move closer, and taking hold of a leather jacket, I stare at it. There’s a flicker of something familiar, and it has me asking, “What did I wear most?”
“During the day, you were the perfect socialite, and at night you wreaked havoc in black leather.”
I let out a soft burst of laughter then glance at Alexei. “Kinda like the sound of that.”