“All Roman ever did was take from me.” I go to move away from him, but he pulls me closer, placing a kiss on my head. I let out a deep breath. “The only thing I ever received from him is my cello. The fact that he ever had enough money to buy that is a modern miracle. Roman bled me dry. Not just financially, but emotionally. Why the questions this morning?”
He takes a deep breath, and I know whatever he’s about to say is going to rock my world.
“The Russian mafia is after you because they believe Roman stole a lot of money from them.”
Holy. Shit.
I know little about mob life, but from what I do know, they’re possibly the worst. Cruel. Violent.
“That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.” I sigh. “Can you—I don’t know, can you speak to the Russians and tell them?”
His body tightens beside me. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”
“Why?”
“In this business, well, it’s not like in corporate America. It isn’t possible. I’ll talk to some of my associates, and maybe we can figure out a way to explain the situation, but really, the only way out of this…”
His words trail off, and a cold dread seeps in.
“Is death.”
He nods.
“I don’t want anyone dying for me. It’s bad enough Roman died over something that isn’t true. More than that, it’s absurd.” I reach my hand up and run my fingers through my hair, trying to think. “Call Matt.”
Gideon pushes me down and entraps me with his arms. “Matt,” he growls. “You want me to call Matt?”
“He’s a police officer. He can help.”
He laughs, but it lacks humor. “I know who the fuck Matt is.”
“He’s just a friend, Gideon. I’ve known him for a long time. He’ll help me.”
“Like hell he will,” he seethes.
“You need to calm down,” I say, trying to stuff down the impatience and frustration.
“Calm down? Fuck no. You’re mine, firefly. Mine to protect. Mine to care for. Mine to love. If he ever gets near you again, if he ever touches you, I will kill him.”
My breath hitches, and the world stops spinning for me.
“Say that again.”
“I will kill him.”
I reach my hand out and touch his jaw. “Not that part.”
“If he touches you?” It’s said like a question.
I shake my head. “Not that part either.”
His eyebrows meet in the middle of his forehead. “What part, then?”
I take a deep breath. “The part where you said I’m yours to love. Do you love me, Gideon?”
He gives me a look like I’m an idiot.
“Fuck yes, I do. What the hell do you think we’re doing here? If I didn’t love you, do you think I’d be going to war with the Russians?”