Page 132 of Break Me

Laughing, I pulled out my sunglasses. “Three. Two. One.”

Boom!

The vibrations rattled the street as we walked, the whooshing sound continued for several seconds as the explosion rocketed through the warehouse. The pen bomb had been a handy little gadget the Costa family had discovered. It was activated within thirty seconds of the plunger being pushed in.

I had to admit I was impressed. Mostly because I didn’t need to turn around to realize there would be nothing left but rubble and bone.

Issue concluded.

For now.

Halle

“I cannot believe we’re sitting front row at a Lainey Rose concert.” I glanced over Emily toward the man in the handsome suit.

“Well, she finally started her residency here in Las Vegas and I had a feeling you would enjoy it.” He inhaled, his nostrils flaring. He’d insisted Emily sit between us. Already, he was so protective of her it was insane.

And I loved every second of it.

Sasha and Nina were sitting beside him, the two little girls trying to make friends.

“Don’t get me started,” Sasha threw out. “But she was worth waiting for. We are booked solid.”

“God, you are so right. She’s an even better performer in public. She’s gotten me through many a dark night after Sean’s death. What do you think, little mighty might?” I squeezed my daughter and winked.

“Yeah. Maybe Mr. Boyfriend can get an autograph,” Mikhail suggested.

I’d never seen her so bright-eyed or happy.

“What do you think, Mr. Boyfriend?” I cooed. “Can you make that happen?” The first half of the concert had been incredible and the entire time Lainey had been singing, I’d felt the heat of Alexsey’s stare. He’d made the evening special, purchasing yet another fabulous dress not only for me, but one for Emily as well.

He took a deep breath, holding it while making a face. When he blew out by puffing his cheeks, Emily giggled. “I don’t know. Maybe I can make that happen.”

“Pu-wease?” Emily did know how to egg it on with the man.

“There you go, Mr. Boyfriend,” Sasha teased.

“I just might…” Thankfully, my sexy Russian didn’t finish his sentence since there were two children sitting beside him.

I pressed my hand over my lips to try to squelch the laughter.

Mikhail leaned over at that point, laughing his ass off. “Yes, Mr. Boyfriend. Can you make that happen?”

“These men are terrible, Halle. They’re incorrigible and usually act like children. But you’ll get used to it.” Bristol wasn’t the kind of woman to hold anything back. I adored her already and while it was so early in my relationship with Alexsey, I already felt like they were family.

I’d heard all about the others and hoped to meet them soon, but right now, I was overwhelmed enough.

“Don’t worry,” I told her, leaning over so she could hear me. “I can handle him.”

“I bet you can. They’re like little marshmallows.”

Nodding, I agreed with her.

“She’s got your number, brother.” Mikhail did enjoy making fun of his brother. It was good to see how close they were. That’s the way it should be in families.

After Alexsey had returned earlier that morning, he’d insisted we do nothing but go out to lunch, do a little shopping for Emily, and he had purchased a beautiful bracelet for me.

“We shall see about that. I think I’ll try and get that autograph right now so my woman will be put in her place.”