Even if it weren’t, I’d eat it and would force Vlad to shove it down his throat. But the scrambled eggs were good so no need for force.
“What did you say your last name was, Anja?” Vlad asked, breaking the silence.
“I didn’t say it.” Anastasia threw a quick glance at me, as if confirming we were keeping her identity safe.
“Why the big secret?” Vlad spat out the question slightly agitated.
“Anja’s last name is the same as mine,” I told Vlad, knowing that would shut him up. And I was right, because he pretty much choked on his food.
By the time he recovered, Damir came in interrupting Vlad’s attempt at questions. “Ok, Dragan and I have all the men in positions and plan for rotations.” He glanced at his phone and double tapped it. “I sent you the schedule, Dimitry, and if there are any changes needed, we are flexible.”
“Good job, Damir.”
“Want some food?” Anastasia stood up, ready to prepare him a plate. “If you don’t want to sit here, you could take it outside.”
A smile spread on Damir’s face. “That'd be great, thanks!”
Anastasia hurried in making him the plate, my shirt swallowing her small body, stretching down to her knees.
There was no mistaking she was my woman, I thought possessively.
While Anastasia chatted with Damir, her back turned to me, Vlad turned to me. “Marriage in our line of business is a bad move, Dimitry,” he spoke low.
It was his mistake to assume we got married, although I agreed with him. Having a family in our line of business added a layer of danger. They became targets too. But I could protect her no matter what. I was her best chance at surviving Boris, and once he was eliminated, she would be safe. There would be nothing stopping me from making her mine forever.
With a startling realization, it became clear I wanted her to carry my name. I wanted the entire world to know her last name was mine, that this woman was mine. She would bring me down to my knees, whether for good or bad remained to be seen. I bet the gypsy woman was laughing at me now. She knew perfectly well that I didn’t believe a word she said when she read my palm. I guess she was having the last laugh in this case.
Vlad stood up, ready to take his leave. “I see you won’t listen to reason, Dimitry. But take care that you don’t become what Boris became when he lost his woman.” I didn’t heed the warning because I would not lose Anastasia. I wouldn’t allow it.
Damir followed Vlad outside shortly after, leaving me finally alone with my woman. Her eyes met mine and she smiled making my whole world right.
“Alone finally!” She reflected my earlier thoughts, as she came to stand in front of me, wiggling herself between my legs.
My hands went to her hips and pulled her closer to me. I breathed her unique smell of lilies that had become a need to my senses.
“Sergei sent a message,” I murmured into her hair, burying my nose to get more of her scent. “He’s with Scarlett, she hit him on the head with a vase but everything is ok.”
She chuckled at that.
“Poor Sergei,” she murmured, her hands finding their way to my skin. “He’s having a hard week.”
I loved her hands on my skin. They always seemed a bit cooler, her cool touch a contrast to my hot skin. I felt like a wild beast tamed by my beautiful human with her magic touch.
“He was lucky I didn’t wring his neck.”
“Scarlett will probably give him worse.” Her lips were inches from mine, her hands under my shirt roaming my back. While my ink covered most of my scars to the visible eye, there was no way she’d miss them while her fingers drifted along my skin. “You have a lot of scars.”
“Some people had it worse,” I repeated her own words. She barely shook her head, whether in agreement or disbelief I didn’t know. Then her lips finally met mine. Her kiss was feather light, so opposite to my roughness. My hard shell was cracking around her with each touch and kiss she gave me.
Growing up the way I did, it was never welcome when a woman tried a gentle approach with me. But with Anastasia, I craved it. The softness and gentleness… it was something that only she could give me.
She was my undoing and my salvation.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Anastasia
Hearing Dimitry repeat the same words back to me broke my heart. He had so many scars I missed yesterday. But now, as my fingers traced them, I realized he was forced to become rough and ruthless.