LOGINILYAI can’t wait another day to travel back to Türkiye to get the information I want. After the cargo is secured, my men and I head home. I missed Willa. The last four days feel like a month without seeing her.Just as I walk into the door, she launches at me.“Dusha moya.” I wrap her in my arms, dip my nose into the crook of her neck, and breathe in her sweet smell.She wraps her legs around me and cups my face. She’s smiling from ear to ear, looking at me. I can see the excitement and longing in her eyes.“You’re home.”“You’re my home, Willa.”“Ilya.” She leans down and captures my lips.I instantly kiss her back, ignoring my men as I take her upstairs. I don’t know how we get to the room without falling down the stairs, but we make it.As our mouths are glued together, I press her against the door, letting her feel how hard I’m for her and how much I missed her for the last four days.I swirl my tongue in her mouth, tasting her, devouring her, taking in all her essence. Then I ro
ILYA“We’ve been here for fucking hours. Where’s the cargo? Are you sure we’re in the right fucking place?” I look at the time on my watch one more time.I’m not used to wearing full military tactical gear anymore. They’re heavy, and I can feel my wound starting to throb. It’s been two weeks since I got shot, but the deep tissue hasn’t completely healed.“Stop complaining,” Ruslan mutters. “You will get what you want. And take this as vigilantism, saving people.”I snort. “Says the guy who did this for a living.”“Contrary to what you and other people believe, I never kidnapped and sold people. They paid my services to cross borders, and I’m still good at it. I sold weapons and drugs—”“And crude.”“Yeah. So if I say, this is the place. This is the place.”“You’ve changed. I almost don’t recognize you anymore.”“You changed, too, Ilya. You left Russia for a woman.” He smirks. I’m not even offended.“Guilty. Congratulations. You’re gonna be a father.” I offer my hand.“Thanks.” I can t
ILYAI’ve known Sergey Vladimirovich since I was a kid. He and my father went back then. They respect each other’s business and boundaries, and my father never failed to warn me not to step on someone’s toes if I wanted to keep my head intact. That’s why I’m still alive.After Kelsey showed me the evidence, I realized that even though Ruzlan trusts her, I don’t know her well, and I know I can’t trust her considering what she does for a living.My father told me a lot of things about Sergey, and I’m not surprised about Kelsey’s story if he could do something horrible to a woman who was spying on him.Spying is treachery. If I couldn’t kill that woman, I would make sure to send her a message that would haunt her for life. What Sergey did was too much, too barbaric and cold-blooded.He’s a stone-cold killer. He’s ruthless, and he’s not easy to kill. He’s also a 270-pound bull who sleeps with his guns and knives under his pillows.I look at Katie one more time. “You don’t have to do this.
ILYAI smile as she picks up my call.She sounds happy and excited. “Reese Ivanov, how can I help you?”I chuckle. “Mrs. Erin Rose Ivanov, miss me?”The two share a confused and amused look.My heart flutters when she says, “I can’t wait to be your wife, baby.” My gaze finds the picture Andrey sent me as they strolled in the park. She’s smiling, the kind of smile that reaches her eyes, as if she hadn’t faced and cheated death twice now within a few weeks.“Me too, baby.”“A real wife, and I can’t wait to call you husband.”“And call you wife, Mrs. Vasilyev.”“Mrs. Vasilyev sounds scary, like a voice of death or something, warning everyone to back off.”I laugh. “They better be. Are you okay with that?”“I’d be honored to carry your family name, but I also want to hyphenate.” Of course. I’d be surprised if she dropped Linden completely.“Where are you?” I ask even though I’m updated every minute.“Don’t tell me you’re on the way,” she says excitedly.“Dusha moya.” I can feel the heavi
WILLAIlya has only been gone for a day, and I already miss him. It’s a good thing that Andrey and Dmitriy are very friendly and helpful.After breakfast, I bring my materials to the backyard and start painting without the recurrence of a panic attack.For the first time since that attack in my studio, I’m myself again— an inspired, passionate artist who loves what she’s doing.My fingers don’t shake anymore. My heart doesn’t palpitate either.The soft bristles of the brush against the woven fabric feel like soft butter, smooth and effortless in a melting slide.I can’t help but smile at Andrey and Dmitriy sitting on the bench with their backs on me, talking in Russian.They don’t just do their work with diligence. They’re also protective, tailing me everywhere I go unless I get in the room or use a bathroom.I get it. They’re under their boss’s orders to look after me, but I find it a bit too much.After what happened to me in my own studio and at the chalet in Serevia, I take Ilya’s
ILYA“It’s not Kelsey. I know she and Grace Ridge came after you before, but you were one on the Agency’s long list. She crashed your name out. She’s a good woman, brother.”“So, this is serious.”“As serious as your bullet wound. I can’t attest on Ridge's behalf, but Kelsey will never cross the line without reason. In case you might have forgotten, you kidnapped one of their agents.”I smile. “That wasn’t kidnapping. I only gave Jasper choices.”“Accept it. Kelsey’s not the enemy, but you wouldn’t come here accusing her because, if so, I can’t help you, and I won’t help.”“I understand. She’s not my suspect. She’s just a pain in my ass.”“Good.” He chuckles. “And an apology for the late response. You’re a nobody, Ilya. I have to plan strict safety measures first. You know how it works. So, what seems to be the problem aside from someone wanting you dead?”“Willa and I were attacked in Everstorm Serevia.”“Willa? Gabe Linden’s sister? The girl who broke your heart?” He stares at me in







