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CHAPTER 69

LARA

The smell of fresh espresso fills the foyer when the double doors slide open. Cool air blows over me as I push out of the Vegas heat.

I’m tempted to stop and get one of the sweet drinks to help soothe my nerves, but it isn’t on the diet plan Alexei and I came up with.

Pain rips through me at the thought of him.

I haven’t heard a word, and it’s been days.

The ride up to Mikhail’s office is the longest it’s ever taken. It has me almost running down the hall once I’m on the fourth floor.

Bursting into his office, I can barely contain my irritation. “Why didn’t you reply to my texts? Why didn’t you call?”

I’ve been hanging on every update hoping to hear how Alexei is doing. Well, Mikhail too, but I know Alexei is the one in the most danger.

My brother looks up from his desk with sadness tinging his eyes. “I wish I had something to tell you. I couldn’t tell you I had nothing.”

Digging my nails into my palms doesn’t lessen the stabbing ache that pierces my chest. “I need to know…anything?”

This hollow emptiness inside of me, the not knowing, it’s killing me.

Mikhail hangs his head and slowly shakes it. “I dropped him off five days ago. I even went back to the rendezvous another night, hoping he’d show.”

Anger tries to replace the agony. “Why didn’t you wait longer? He could be there right now, maybe hurt, needing you.” Before I realize it, I’ve stepped across the room and am pounding my fist on his desk. “Please? This hurts too bad.”

My knees give, leaving me hanging on the edge of the oak surface.

Mikhail jumps up and wraps his arms around me. “I know, Lara. I have Enzo working his entire team trying to find him.” Gently, he turns me towards the couch and sits me next to him.

The tears finally fall, but it doesn’t help. “I miss him.”

That isn’t anywhere close to the mark. I don’t know if I’ll be able to live without him.

He keeps me steady. His patience supports me when I stumble without wavering.

I’m going to shatter without him.

“Can’t you go back? Look again?” I sniffle.

“You know Ivan keeps a close watch. Would you want me to be captured also? Let Enzo do what he does best, find things out.” Mikhail’s broad hand pulls me in for another hug before he stands. “You don’t need to come to work, Lara. I know this is hard on you.”

“It’s the only thing keeping me sane. I would be going crazy at home.” I’d probably hit thirty miles on my treadmill a day if I was left to my own devices.

He nods. “I get it. Okay, want to help me go over some surveillance? I want to see if Kirill came back into the country or if he’s still here. I’m worried that Tatiana fed Alexei bad intel.” He gestures at his computer. “It’ll keep us busy. There's at least a month's worth here to check.”