I happily watch Kon’s ass as he goes to do just that. He’s gorgeous. Gorgeous and big, mildly terrifying when he puts on that intense face, but so sweet and loving behind that softer face. Generous, warm, and eager to make others comfortable.
I hear the A/C kick on and then Konstantin comes back. Even soft, he’s big. I lick my bottom lip and he points at me. “None of that. We’re going to bed.”
“Party pooper.”
Kon chuckles as he wraps himself around me. Charlie and Nolan curl up against my belly as Kon spoons me. It’s heaven as far as falling asleep. I feel spoiled and loved andsafe.I didn’t realize how valuable that last one was until now.
In the morning, I pull on pajamas out of the bag I packed and realize Kon is already gone. I pout. I like catching him asleep, all cute and snoring. In the living room, I see all three of my men. Instead of growling at each other and getting in cheap insults, it looks like they’re working together.
It puts an extra little flutter in my heart. They’re so determined to keep me safe (something I’ve been more than willing to do all on my own up until now), that they’re willing to put aside any jealousy or frustration with each other.
“Good morning, doll.” Max brings me a coffee. I’m kind of shocked that it’s exactly what I normally make for myself. He winks. “I pay attention.”
“So more than about fun, right?”
“Learning about youisfun.”
“All of us are present. Save the pick-up lines,” Gio growls.
“As if we didn’t pull Konstantin here from a cuddle session with Juliana. I didn’t hear any complaints about that, Gio,” Max shoots back.
Okay, maybe they aren’t above playground rules even with a hitman closing in.
“I never got a text warning me.” Konstantin huffs. “And I was dressed by the time you two came in.”
“Keep your phone off vibrate and you’ll hear the warnings. The security feed was yours to watch anyway.” Gio reminds him.
I shake my head at the guys but take another sip of coffee. “There’s enough of me to go around.”
“I’d like to keep it that way,” Gio says.
When our eyes meet, he softens a little. Gio exhales. “I promise, I’ll relax once-”
“Tomorrow, after a long night of ‘guarding’ Juliana?” Max teases. “It does all of us some good, and it obviously does her plenty good.”
“Max,” Kon warns this time.
“I’m just saying that she’s still here, she’s happy, and she has more freedom here than under her father.” Max glances at me. “You are happy right, doll?”
“I only have one complaint.” I join them at the table and see a picture of Sharon on the table. I point at her. “That would be it.”
“She’s gone through a few different names. We had her under Jane.” He shakes his head. “We don’t ask many questions when it comes to names as long as there is a way to pay them and keep it under the table.”
“Says good quality business,” Gio says while pinching the bridge of his nose. I know he’s frustrated. “She hasn’t reported in since the incident. So I’m sure she knows we’re on to her.”
“No report to the Volkov mansion despite being contacted,” Konstantin agrees. “No check-in, and based on the bounty they offered her, there’s no way she’d just walk away unless something else was in the way.”
“Max?” Gio asks.
“You’re good at taking the lead, aren’t you, kid?”
“Better than some, old man. What have you managed?” Gio insists.
I smile very slightly.
“I may have let a few people know that Mr. Wallis Alister isn’t the kind of guy who has a long-lasting business. People tend to listen to my projections so when I mentioned he may be investigated for potential insurance fraud based on some insider information ... well.”
“Isn’t trading information breaking a law?” I ask.