Focus on details.
Okay. Breath, Vannah. From his position, he could easily plant a bullet between Torre’s eyes. Given Maxim is an excellent shot and his hands are free.
Torres whirls me around, fists the back of my head, and returns the tip of the barrel to my temple.
My eyes go wide and my first thought isn’t for my life but of the possible child I am carrying. I turn scared eyes to Maxim, but he isn’t making eye contact with me. The guy he has by the throat gaps for his last breath. The look of death on Maxim’s face is scary and I realize I’m seeing the real man beneath the veneer of kindness he uses with me.
But I don’t feel scared. I am intensely fearful for the life of the man currently using me as a human shield though.
Maxim drops the lifeless intruder into the pool. Karma is a real bitch.
There’s movement behind us and the distraction gives Maxim the moment he needs. “Knees, now, Vannah.”
I do as commanded and huddle on the ground until I hear the pop of a gun and the thump of a body.
Strong arms come around me and I am picked up off the ground and snuggled deeply into Maxim’s chest. His hands roam the entire length of me making sure I am not hit no doubt.
Gray comes to stand beside us and I turn my head. “Thank you,” I say with meaning.
“Glad to offer the distraction.” He winks at me and walks back into the shadows. Men come to drag the bodies off and Maxim and I are left there standing in the middle of the aftermath.
“Is life with you always like this?”
“It will be dangerous for a while yet. Torres was only the brother to the head of the East Syndicate. He liked to pretend he was in control. It’s why I didn’t waste time talking. There was no reasoning with him. He’s been looking for a way to get in good with his brother and he wanted to use you as his free ticket to the top.”
Maxim kneels in front of me and kisses my belly. He places his forehead there and says something in Russian.
“You really think I am pregnant?” I feed my fingers through his tousled hair.
“I know you are,” he states flatly as he comes to stand at his full height.
He swats me on the butt. Only now do I realize I’m wearing nothing but a long shirt with not even panties to cover me. “At least the wind has died down or I would be flashing everyone my naked ass.”
“Come, we will spend the night on the yacht and then beg our friends on the next island over for safe harbor while this place is fixed.”
He pulls me close, hooks an arm beneath my legs, and carries me away.
I can’t believe my life. A week ago, I woke up wondering where I was headed. I had no idea it would lead to me a life of such passion and…love. I wrap my arms around Maxim’s neck and snuggle in for a lifetime of all the love both of us can handle.
“I wonder when the pickle craving will start.”
“Pickles?”
I smile. “You’ll see.”