I’ve acquired a gun, not by any legal methods, but I’m packing heat in case things go south. I’m prepared. And the more I’ve stewed over what happened, I don’t believe Mikhail set out a hit on me.
Luka and I had been the ones ordered to kill Savannah and Anton.
We failed.
Mikhail might be pissed about that, but it has to be them if he’s after anyone.
I take the subway across town and then grab a ride-share service. I have them drop me off a couple of blocks from the compound.
The weather is nice, excellent for a summer’s day. I walk the last couple of blocks until I reach the guard gate. Ivan is on watch, and his jaw drops when he looks at me.
“Shit, I’ve seen a ghost,” Ivan says, and rubs his eyes before stepping out of the booth. “Where the hell have you been?”
“Left for dead,” I say. My mouth is dry, and my heart pounds against my ribcage. Maybe I should devise another plan, a different story, to keep Sadie out of this mess. Won’t Mikhail ask where I’ve been? He’ll have questions.
Ivan stares at me, dumbfounded, before shaking the mental cobwebs away. “Mikhail is going to shit himself,” Ivan says.
I crack a wry grin. “That’d be a sight to see.”
Ivan glances me over, convinced I’m not a harm to the family. After all, I am one of them. He opens the gate, allowing me to enter.
“Do me a favor and don’t call the house. I’d like to surprise Mikhail.”
“Fuck, are you trying to get me fired?” Ivan asks with a nervous laugh. Sweat drips from his forehead.
Why the hell is he so nervous? My stomach is somersaulting. I’m glad I haven’t eaten much today.
“Won’t be much of a surprise if you announce I’m home,” I say.
“Fair enough.” Ivan watches me as I stalk across the stone driveway and up the front steps. While I don’t have my key, the door’s lock offers a fingerprint reader installed within the past year.
I lift my hand, my right index finger against the reader, and it clicks into the unlocked position. I open the door, and fresh paint and cleaner smell burn my nostrils.
What mess was cleaned up this week?
My footsteps aren’t invisible. I’m not the least bit quiet, nor do I try to be as I glance around the compound. Children’s voices carry into the hallway from the playroom, along with laughter.
Madisyn and Hannah are chatting, but I can’t quite distinguish about what, not that it matters. I’m not here to eavesdrop.
I approach Mikhail’s office, but it’s empty.
He could be anywhere. But I assume he’s home, or Ivan would have said otherwise.
“We need to hire a nanny,” Mikhail’s voice trails from the playroom.
“And we would if you liked any of the prospects we’ve interviewed,” Madisyn says.
I step toward the open door, standing guard outside the room, watching the two lovebirds interact.
“Dmitri!” Mikhail’s eyes light up, and a smile grazes his features. I can’t tell if it’s because I’ve saved him from whatever conversation he was involved in with Madisyn or if he’s relieved that I’m alive.
“I’m back,” I say with a forced smile. “Miss me?”
“We thought you were dead.” Hannah’s voice is soft and fragile. Her brow is pinched, and she bites down on her bottom lip like she’s trying not to cry.
Shit.
I was never that close with any of the ladies, but that doesn’t mean my supposed death didn’t hit hard for them.