“Cute. I would send you to Mars if I thought you’d be safe there.”
“I can’t imagine that your sister is too happy about this.”
“Yeah, I haven’t told her yet.”
“Well, in that case, may the force be with you. Inessa’s going to bust your balls over this.”
“I know. I’m a little nervous about telling her.”
“So, you thought you’d practice on me, did you?”
“Kinda. How did I do?”
“You’re not going to be able to charm your sister as you can me. Good luck with that.”
“Pregnancy has made you mean, Angel Harris,” Max smiled.
“You owe me large, Max Mikhailov.”
“Don’t worry. I plan on making it up to you for the rest of my days.”
“Damn right.”
“Come on. Let’s have a bite to eat. You’ll feel better.”
“Okay.”
Max and I sat down and ate dinner together. He’d made my favorite. Steak with buttery potatoes. The food was delicious, and I enjoyed being with the man I loved.
We talked about our baby and the life we hoped to have once we’d passed through the storm. Afterward, Max walked me to my car.
“I miss you, Angel.”
“I miss you too, Max.”
“Agent Stevens will contact you to make arrangements for the safe house.”
“Okay.”
Max came closer to me. He leaned in, took my face in his hands, and kissed me. It was slow and tender.
“I love you.”
“I have to go, Max.”
34
MAX
Iwas on my way to Inessa’s house and wasn’t looking forward to the conversation. My sister was going to freak out. And that wasn’t even the worst of it. I was about to tell my brother-in-law how I’d put his family in danger. As far as Inessa and Charlie were concerned, we were about to sit down to a normal family dinner. They were in for a shock.
“Knock knock,” I called from the front door.
“Hey, Max,” Inessa’s voice sounded from the kitchen.
“Hello, Max,” Charlie said as I walked past the living room.
“Hey, boys.”