[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
for me and I should be a better man and push you away but God help me I can't. I love
you, Vee."
I tried to slow the dizziness coming over me as my world spun from his admission of
love. Still kneeling at my feet, Nikolai slid one arm around my waist. Tentatively, he
touched my cheek, his fingertips gliding over my skin as a light as a feather. Our gazes
remained locked as he moved closer. My eyes closed as I waited for the kiss I'd wanted
for so very long&
"Boss?" Sergei's booming voice penetrated the door. "Detective Santos is here. The
other cops are on their way."
I silently cursed Sergei's bumbling interruption. Jerked out of that perfect moment,
Nikolai sat back on his heels. He ran his thumb across my lower lip, his very touch
branding me forever as his. "You should shower and get dressed. The bag you packed is
on that bench over there. I'll come get you in a while."
"Okay." It wasn't the most eloquent response, not after the baring of our souls, but it
was all I could manage in my stunned state.
As Nikolai stood, I expected that icy wall to slam down between us again, but he
seemed almost relieved to have everything on the table. I'd grown so accustomed to him
going out of his way to avoid touching me that it was a bit startling to have him bend
down to kiss the top of my head. It wasn't the real kiss that I craved so desperately but it
meant almost as much to me.
"Do you need me to stay here? Are you too dizzy to shower alone?"
I licked my lips at the idea of Nikolai helping me shower. "Um& no. I'm fine."
"If you need me& "
"I'll yell for you."
Nikolai stepped into his bathroom and the attached master closet to retrieve his
clothing and toiletries. He paused at the door and gestured between us. "We'll finish this
later."
When he exited the bedroom, I was left wondering what this was. I doubted it would
be anything as simple as dating. I had a sneaking suspicion that Nikolai Kalasnikov was
about to turn my neatly ordered life completely upside down.
*
When he stepped out of the bedroom with his shirt gaping open, Nikolai caught
Sergei's eyes widen with surprise. The enforcer didn't say anything but quickly averted
his gaze. Anyone else would have made a dirty remark about coming out of his bedroom
half-dressed, but Sergei was smart enough to know that Nikolai wouldn't allow that kind
of comment when it came to Vivian.
Clearing his throat, Sergei said, "I'll tell Santos you'll be down soon."
"Is David here yet?" He needed his lawyer at Vivian's side before the other detectives
arrived to question her about the kidnapping.
"He called the office line earlier. He's on his way."
"Keep him in the library. The other detectives, too," he added. "Santos can wait
wherever but keep an eye on him."
"Kostya's with him now."
"Good." The last thing he needed was Vivian's cousin snooping around his house.
Thinking of her, he ordered, "Send someone out for breakfast. Vivian needs to eat."
"Dimitri stopped by this morning with boxes from Benny's bakery. It's taken care of,
Boss."
That was just like Dimitri and Benny to be so thoughtful without intruding or making
a big scene.
"Boss, uh, Vivian's priest is here."
Nikolai blinked. "Father Semyon?"
"Yeah. He was at the front door just after sunrise. He said he was happy to wait so we
didn't wake you. I've given him tea and breakfast. He's been talking with Santos."
Jesus, Nikolai thought crossly. A detective, a priest and a lawyer in his home! It was
like the setup to a bad bar joke.
"Keep him busy." Nikolai tapped the door to the master suite. "Don't let her
downstairs without me."
His instructions given, Nikolai made his way to the guest room across the hall and
entered the bathroom. Getting undressed proved to be more painful than he'd expected.
Sleeping in that chair hadn't done his battered body any favors. Maybe he needed to
listen to the doctor and take it easy today. One of those painkillers might not be such a
bad idea either&
Once in the shower, he rested his head against the tile and let the warm water spill
over his tired, aching body. He'd expected to feel such shame at breaking down in front
of Vivian. He'd long lived with closed-off emotions and letting them loose now felt
strange and unsettling. He rubbed his chest. The soreness on the surface caused by
Vivian's blows would fade soon enough. Deeper inside of him, he felt the tightness of his
guilt finally easing some.
Vivian's face danced before his eyes. Though he'd been dreading the revelation of the
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]