Page 87 of Ghost

She ensured the guest bathroom and bedroom were just as tidy as when she arrived before heading downstairs.

A knock at the door made her falter as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

“I got it,” Dana sang, as she breezed by Mila and checked the peephole.She winked over her shoulder.“It’s for you-oo.”

Mila’s cheeks warmed.

Dana swung open the door, hand propped on her hip.“What are your intentions with my friend?”she demanded.

“’Scuse me?”Ghost’s less-than-amused voice reached Mila’s ears.

She quickly grabbed her coat from the hook and made her way to the door.Ghost’s intense gaze locked on her like a laser.

She gave him a sheepish smile as she fitted her arms through her sleeves.“Ignore her.”

Dana hooked her arm through Mila’s again.“You know I love you, Ghost, but if you let this one get away, you’ll never hear the end of it.”

Ghost arched an eyebrow.Mila shrunk an inch and let out a nervous laugh that sounded more like an embarrassed wail.She squeezed Dana in a hug.“Thanks again.”

“No problem.”Dana pointed a stern finger at Ghost.“I mean it.”

He smirked.“Go to bed, Dana.”

“Can’t until Zain gets here.He wants me to wait up.”

Ghost shook his head and snagged Mila’s elbow, towing her outside.“Too much information, D.See you later.”

“Bye,” Dana called, before shutting the door.

The cold winter air rushed over Mila’s skin and she shuddered.After growing up in Russia, she really shouldn’t be chilled by such a mild winter.

Ghost’s arm belted around her waist, making the shudder move to her loins.“Looks like you and Dana hit it off.”

She dipped her chin.“We did.I think.”

“You think?She was more protective of you than I’ve seen Micha get with Ivy.”They reached his truck and he opened the passenger door.He took her bags from her shoulder and tossed them in the cab while she hopped in.

He shut her door and went around to the driver’s side.She let her gaze roam over him before the interior light clicked off.His chiseled jaw was wrapped in stubble, his hair disheveled, and his expression as serious as usual.

As unreadable as he was, any tension or anxiety left her body when he was present.It was as if she could finally relax—as if she didn’t have to be on guard anymore.

She’d never been protected.Not since she was a small child.Maybe that’s what she craved—why she wanted him around so badly.

He stuck the key in the ignition, and she covered his wrist with her hand.“Is Hunter dead?”

Slowly, he turned to her, his eyes as hard as stone.Lifting his fingers to her chin, he tethered her gaze to his.“He is.”

The confirmation didn’t make his voice waver, nor did it shake her.He tilted his head slightly.“I guess that means you’re free to do whatever you want.You don’t have to come with me.”

She swallowed, panic rising from her toes.“I want to.”

“Good,” he breathed.“Because I need you with me.”

Hope expanded in her chest.For the first time since she was a little girl, she was truly free.Yet she didn’t want to run.Didn’t want to return to Russia.

She wanted Ghost.

He trailed his knuckles over her cheek.“Stay with me awhile.Days, weeks, I don’t care.”