Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63391 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63391 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
He stops beside the bench, leaf shadows flickering across his jaw and collarbone.
“Everything okay?” he asks, voice softer now.
I nod, though I’m not sure the answer is yes.
His eyes narrow like he sees right through me. “Was that your father on the phone?”
Of course he noticed.
“It was,” I say simply. “He was just checking in.”
A flicker passes over his face, something unreadable, maybe suspicion, but he says nothing. I don’t know him well enough to guess what he’s thinking. For the first time it hits me. I have no idea how Isaac feels about my father. He might resent him as much as I do.
I can’t tell, and I’m not sure I want to.
All I feel is the ache swelling between us, as though last night never ended. It’s as if I’m still wrapped around him in the dark, whispering things I shouldn’t even want to say aloud.
His fingers graze mine on the table. It’s just a touch, but it’s enough to send a wave of heat up my arm.
“I haven’t stopped thinking about you,” he murmurs.
I swallow hard. “Me either,” I admit.
He takes a slow step closer, the edge of the table pressing against my ribs as he leans in. My breath catches in my throat, and every cell in my body seems to tilt toward him.
In a heartbeat his lips find mine. The kiss is nothing like last night, urgent and demanding, packed with everything we held back. There’s hunger, fear, and need. I rise, and he catches my waist, yanking me close until our bodies align.
His mouth claims mine as if to remind me I’m his wife now, and it works. I melt into him, surrendering every defense.
He breaks the kiss, his breath ragged against my skin.
“From this moment on, everything I own is yours,” he whispers, his voice hoarse with heat. “Whatever you desire, I’ll grant you.”
My heart pounds against my ribs and the first thought crashing through me is how much I want him.
13
ISAAC
Aweek slips by, and life slides into a strangely easy rhythm. Being married to Katya feels at once effortless and wildly exciting. I fall asleep with her in my arms and wake the same way, her limbs tangled with mine. We don’t even talk about the pull that’s present every night we drift together like magnets, exploring one another’s bodies and learning what brings the most pleasure. I’m already forgetting how it felt to sleep alone.
This morning is too quiet, however, and never a good sign. The stillness pricks at me in my world, calm feels like a setup, the distraction before the storm.
A quick knock, then the door opens. Mikhail steps in, expression grim yet steady. I motion to the chair across from me, but he stays on his feet.
“We still haven’t located the people behind the firearms drop.
I sigh deeply. Mikhail continues.
“Whoever they are, they’ve covered their tracks well. No chatter on the street, and none of our regulars have heard anything useful.”
“And the two we had in custody?” I ask, though I already know the answer. I need to hear him say it.
“They’re dead. Swallowed some kind of capsule they kept under their tongues. Ivan wasn’t able to get anything from either of them.”
I nod slowly, my jaw tight. “So,” I say, “the men we’re hunting are pros.”
“Smart ones,” Mikhail agrees. “But I’ve got people working on it. Someone will crack eventually. They always do.”
“I want updates as soon as you have them.”
“You’ll get them.” He pauses, then adds, “Also, the other thing you asked for is ready.”
I lift my eyes to him and meet his gaze. “Good.”
“She’s going to like it,” he says with a grin.
“I hope so.” I smile. “It cost a pretty penny.”
He finally sinks into the chair across from my desk. “This thing between you two is real, isn’t it?”
I arch a brow. “I wouldn’t have married her if it wasn’t,” I say, voice flat.
As quick and unexpected as this marriage was, I couldn’t have gone through with it if I didn’t see myself with her long-term. Katya has teeth and fire, a backbone stronger than most men I know, yet a softness that draws things out of me I never knew existed.
Mikhail studies me for a beat, then nods as though that settles something in his own mind. He doesn’t press further, and I’m grateful. There’s only so much I’m willing to share about Katya, even with the people I trust. What I feel for her is too new, too raw, and too sacred to turn into casual conversation.
He rises from the chair without another word. Once he leaves, I let the silence stretch, fingers tapping absently against the armrest. I can’t wait any longer. Even though a mountain of work sits on my desk, I can’t stay put knowing she’s somewhere in this house. I need to be with her.