After hanging up, Alexa looked out the window. They were on their way to the airstrip to pick up Aleczander. There were two other Mercedes following behind. Looking over at Yvgeny, she heard him talking in Russian to someone on the phone. No doubt it was final plans for Aleczander’s arrival. To say this was a big deal was an understatement.
She was nervous, but part of her felt warm at the thought that Yvgeny trusted her to be here with them.
Yvgeny disconnected the call and exhaled. “You’re okay?” he asked and turned to face her.
She nodded. “I’m fine.” Yvgeny looked so damn cool and collected. “Are you?”
He nodded. A second of silence passed before he spoke again. “Although, whenever Aleczander or anyone from the Russian top tier comes in, things usually tend to get … intense.”
“What do you mean?”
“Things get revealed, shit gets started, or someone … dies.”
She swallowed. “And you wanted me involved in this why?” This was sounding like a horrible idea, whether he trusted her or not.
“I’ll never let anyone or anything hurt you.” He said it with such conviction, such intensity, and she knew without a doubt that he meant i. “We don’t hurt women, Alexa, you know that. Aleczander and the Bratva might do questionable things to some, and are lethal, but we do not, under any circumstances, prey on the innocent, Alexa.”
She nodded slowly and licked her lips. “I know, Yvgeny. I guess I’m just nervous.” He reached out and took hold of her hand. That shock of electricity she felt traveled throughout her entire body. Here they sat in the back of this luxury car, heading toward a private airstrip to pick up a man that was—if possible—deadlier than Yvgeny, and right now all she could think about was how much she loved this man. He was so big, the interior of the car seeming to come around them even more. His big body—so muscular, tattooed, and seething with power—made her feel overly feminine.
“Alexa.” He said her name softly.
The driver said something in Russia, and Yvgeny straightened, removed his hand from hers, and faced forward. “We’re here.”
Yvgeny reached out and wrapped his hand around Alexa’s waist. She tensed, but he didn’t care if she found his touch awkward. He needed her close. He pulled her closer to his body, let his hand slide off of her waist slowly, purposefully because he couldn’t help himself, and took a step forward so he was now slightly in front of her. He trusted Aleczander and the Bratva with his life.
They were his life.
But with Alexa, he was possessive, even if he kept that to himself. He didn’t even like other men looking at her, which was fucked up given the fact he didn’t step up and claim her.
It’s better that way. She’s safer that way.
The dark private jet that stood in front of them like an ominous figure spoke of wealth and the reach the Bratva had. The door was open, and a second later Aleczander emerged. He took the air stairs right away, and following closely behind him were Anton, Boris, and Gregor.
“That’s him?” Alexa said from behind him.
“The first one off the plane, yes.”
Yvgeny greeted Aleczander as soon as he was off the stairs and striding toward them.
“The flight was well?” Yvgeny asked in Russian.
“Da,” Aleczander said and looked over at Alexa. Yvgeny found himself stepping to the side to shield Alexa from the other man. It was instinct. Aleczander looked at Yvgeny and lifted a brow.
“For you?” he asked, still speaking in Russian.
“She works for me.” Yvgeny looked at Alexa for a second before bringing his attention back to Aleczander. The other three men were already behind Aleczander, their arms behind their backs, but their focuses scanning their surroundings. “I’m protective of her.” He wasn’t afraid of Aleczander, although maybe he should be given the dark past the other man held.
But when it came to Alexa, not even death itself could put fear in him.
“She’s off the table. I get it.” Aleczander didn’t back down normally, but even if he was interested in Alexa, there was enough respect between them and the Bratva brotherhood that he didn’t cross that line.
“I’m ready to unwind,” Aleczander said, and Alexa stepped forward.
“I’ve gotten everything set up for you and the others to enjoy your time while here. If you need anything, you know you just have to ask.”
Aleczander just stared at her for a second, but he finally nodded and gave a deep grunt of approval before heading to one of the Mercedes. When it was just Yvgeny and Alexa standing there, he heard her exhale. Looking down at her, he couldn’t help but smile.
She’d been nervous. It was clear by the way she looked relieved right now.
“You handled yourself well, Alexa.”
She looked over at him and smiled. “I didn’t think anyone could be as scary as you.” She snapped her mouth shut, as if she hadn’t meant to say anything.