Page 28

CHAPTER 27

LARA

I could have sworn I heard noises last night.

No, not sounds really, more like a feeling that there was something moving in my house after I went to bed.

I must be paranoid after everything that went on with Kirill. My sleep was taunted by nightmares of him tackling me to the ground and stabbing me over and over through the face.

A shiver runs up my spine at the memory.

Pulling on my silk robe, I can’t help but glance into the corners as I walk to the kitchen. There’s just this sense that something is watching me, or was, and the shadows are still lurking.

Stop it. I’m being paranoid.

Or am I? It wouldn’t surprise me if Kirill tracked me down. His men managed to find me at Alexei’s house, why not here?

Nothing sounds appealing this morning. I don’t want to bother with coffee or tea.

Maybe just a glass of warm water. That will fill my belly for a little while.

But when I focus on the carpet near the front door, my cup slips from my fingers and shatters on the cold tiles.

What the fuck is that?

There’s a droplet of blood on the white rug.

Oh my god! I wasn’t imagining it! Who would come into my house? What did they do?

Shit.

Why would they come in and not take me again?

Or touch me.

I think I’m going to be sick.

This is some kind of fucked up game Kirill has to be playing. That asshole needs to die.

Rushing back into my room, I get dressed in record time. I don’t feel comfortable in my own home. Who knows what they’re seeing?

Did they put up cameras? Did they see me change?

That sends me running to the toilet to lose the warm water that is churning in my stomach.

I need to get the hell out of here.

Grabbing my pistol, I toss it into my purse and jump in my car.

It takes nearly the entire drive before my hands stop shaking.

Why couldn’t Alexei stay? He makes me feel safe. And my lips tingle.

Just one kiss ruined everything. I’m a wreck without him.

My heels click on the concrete floor as I stride past the coffee stand on the first level of the casino.

I don’t have time today, I need to talk to Mikhail.

After a light tap on his door, I barge in and stand, suddenly speechless in front of his desk.

“Good morning, Lara. What’s with the deer in the headlights look?” He blinks up at me.

My breath comes too quickly, so I move over to the couch and slump into the cushions.

When Mikhail stands and towers over me, he blocks out the light briefly before he squats in front of me. “Tell me. Are you okay?”

I nod, trying to form words. “I think, um, that someone broke into my house last night.”

He grunts and stands up, his broad fists tightening at his hips. “Who? I’ll kill them,” he growls.

“I don’t know, that’s the problem.” A knot forms in the back of my throat as I fight the tears that threaten to spill over onto my cheeks. “I was hoping you could have Enzo check into it? Doesn’t he still have access to maybe the street cameras at least?”

Enzo has his eyes everywhere. He’s the best at finding out anything.

Mikhail pauses. “Yes, that’s an excellent idea.” He pulls his hand up and cracks his scabbed knuckles.

“Did you get in a fight last night?” I hadn’t noticed the wounds when I first came in.

“Yea. Everyone was in on it. Daddy dearest threw a handful at Jax and Nikolai, ambushed them as they were leaving Vox.” He shakes his head. “Is there ever going to be any peace as long as Ivan is around?”

“Do you think Dad will come back after me?” I hate asking that question because I’m afraid of the answer.

“We won’t be letting that happen. We would all die before it does.” He pauses, studying my face. “I can have Alexei move in with you to keep you safe?”

“No.” I can see Alexei doesn’t want to have anything to do with me, not the way I want.

But Mikhail is looking at me like that isn’t enough of an answer.

“I mean, he’s more useful to you, we both know that. You need him to fight.” There, that should help.

Mikhail’s thick eyebrows lower over his nose. “I’d rather you stay protected than put him on the streets. But fine, if you don’t want him there, I won’t make him.” He raises his hand, pointing at me. “Figure out what’s going on between you two, though. He’s fucking useless right now because of whatever tiff you’re having.”

My stomach knots. Alexei is messed up too?

I thought he was the one who backed away?

This is even more complicated than I thought.