Page 61

I awoke to the sound of distant waves and the lull of seagulls, wrapped in nothing but messy covers and Sevan's arms.

We had leaked different locations to everyone we could think of, eating dinner as we handled business.

And then I was beyond ready to go to sleep, feeling much sleepier than I would like to admit.

Now here I am, anticipating what this morning brings.

And if the mole is about to be revealed to us.

I impatiently laid up from the bed, causing Sevan to immediately stir from her sleep.

She also grabbed my upper waist and pulled me right back down to her.

"Sevan," I murmured, trying to pull out of her arms that tangled around my waist, "We check phone."

My girlfriend hummed, nuzzling into my neck, "Five more minutes," she whispered to me.

I shook my head, "We have to check," I reminded her, knowing how time sensitive this is.

"Okay," Sevan said, her voice soft and raspy in my ear, "But you have to stay right here when checking."

I nodded once, "Right here," I assured her.

"In my arms," she added, pressing a soft kiss to the bareness of my neck.

I felt my lips twitch up slightly, "In your arms," I repeated back, my voice much softer than before.

And upon hearing my clarification, Sevan reached behind her—patting the nightstand a few times until she finally grabbed her phone.

Which she immediately handed over to me, nuzzling back down into my neck as she whispered the four-digit password in my ear.

It sounded sexier than I liked to admit.

But I had to focus on unlocking her phone, going over to her texts that had all been returned with acknowledgment.

But nothing from Nerissa.

Not even on my phone that I had Sevan also grab from the nightstand for me.

"What do we do now?" I asked her as she tangled our legs together, holding me even closer to her body.

"We lay here," Sevan said, clearly still half asleep.

And wanting nothing more than to sleep even more.

Which I didn't necessarily mind.

What else would we do?

So I settled deeper in her arms, leaning back into her as I let my eyes calmly fall shut.

I focused on the distant ocean waves, Sevan's soft breaths in my ear, and the warmth of our bodies together.

It was very nice, especially as I rested my eyes.

Which inevitably turned into me falling asleep again for an immeasurable amount of time.

Until we were both jolted awake by a buzzing phone.

Luckily, Sevan had already grabbed the phone lit up with a call—which I assumed she would decline.

But after one long moment, I heard her clear her throat and swipe to answer the call.

"Nerissa," she said, her voice holding nothing but disapproval.

Meanwhile, my ears seemed to perk up, wondering if we would finally see who this mole is.

Luckily, Sevan put the call on speaker for us both so I could hear what Nerissa had to say.

"I hope you're enjoying your vacation," she said, leaving out the part we needed to know specifically.

Like where she thinks we're currently at.

"Vacation? Where do you think we are?" Sevan purposely asked her, trying to make it seem as if we are not on a beach at this exact moment.

"It doesn't matter," Nerissa sighed almost in boredom, "You'll be in Moscow very soon."

I suddenly turned around in Sevan's arms, meeting her dark eyes with anticipation.

"I don't think we will be," Sevan determined, holding my stare as she caressed her free hand up my back.

"Well, I need Koslov back here to sign over everything to me," Nerissa pointed out like it was our problem, "And you need to come collect Yuri and Arina before I kill them both."

I immediately sat up from the bed, feeling everything fade around me.

All I could feel was my heart that sank in my chest and the sudden jolt of energy that soared through my body.

"Touch them and I'll personally kill you, Nerissa," Sevan said as she sat up from the bed, adjusting her t-shirt.

"I won't have to touch a single hair on their heads if you follow my simple demands," Nerissa reminded my girlfriend as if it were just that simple.

"Clarify your demands and..."

Sevan's words grew echoey around me, listening to Nerissa's terms as I climbed out of the bed to begin getting our things ready.

Because we are going back.

Whether it's an ambush or not, I will risk my life for theirs.

And Sevan knew that—and for once she didn't argue my point or create her own way to do things.

She only helped me pack, talking strategies that I couldn't begin to listen to.

I just needed to get on a plane as soon as possible.

And luckily, Sevan had us on one within an hour.

But that still wasn't enough.

The plane ride is over ten hours and Nerissa is keeping them god knows where.

Apparently, there was an ambush when they kidnapped them both.

I know Arina most likely doesn't know what is going on.

And Yuri... he's so vulnerable.

Too vulnerable.

They make me both vulnerable—and fuck I have weakness.

I have something that people can exploit.

"Zinovia," Sevan said, eyeing my leg that bounced up and down at a rapid pace.

I hadn't been able to sit still throughout the entire flight.

And now that we're close to landing I feel even more on edge.

Even more fucking anxious.

"Zi," I heard her repeat herself, but I could only shake my head.

Maybe I will sign it all over.

Maybe I should.

It would solve everything.

I can be with Sevan freely and everyone that holds weakness over me will be safe.

It would be a win-win.

But my family's legacy.

My father—no he lied to me.

He hid an entire child from the world.

He... hid a part of himself from me.

"Zi, baby," Sevan sighed, grabbing my hand to snap me from my thoughts.

And for once, my leg paused—and I was still for the first time in hours.

"Talk to me," Sevan said, pulling my legs over her lap before I could begin bouncing either of them up and down again.

"I... I give it up," I whispered hesitantly, glancing away from her dark eyes almost with a weird feeling.

One I had never experienced before.

Defeat.

"You're not giving anything up, Zinovia," Sevan said, which immediately made my stare lock back with hers.

"But it would solve all problems and—"

"Giving up solves nothing," Sevan cut me short, leaving no room for disagreement, "You think Nerissa will leave you alone even once she takes your place?"

I furrowed my brows, realizing Sevan had a point.

"She has a grudge against you," Sevan explained as she caressed her hands up my legs across her lap, "We're fighting this together, end of discussion."

I shook my head, "But Arina and Yuri—"

"Are going to be okay—and I'll fucking kill anyone who had a part in this," Sevan immediately assured me, "I just need to go in there and stall long enough for us to get a team—I already have the executioners and a few different mafias flying in as we speak," she explained, cuing me in on the plan she had probably explained whilst I was zoned out.

"I have to be the one to go in," I pointed out, knowing it wasn't logical for Sevan to go, "I am the one who is supposed to sign it over, and you going means we are not taking her seriously."

Sevan shook her head, "You definitely aren't fucking goi—"

"Sevan," I cut her short, my tone almost reaching a rare level of pleading, "This is..." I trailed off hesitantly, glancing away from her dark eyes, "This is my family—she has my family," I forced out in one long breath.

Sevan immediately nodded, "I know baby, I know," she whispered, her voice much softer with me.

But I could only shake my head, "No you don't—you do not know Sevan," I breathed out, burying my face in her chest with hopes of hiding away forever, "My stomach hurts very badly—I do not have good feeling."

I heard Sevan let out a deep sigh, "We'll get you some medicine as soon as we land," she determined, gently caressing my back as I leaned further into her, "We'll also..." she trailed off, letting out yet another sigh.

One that was more reluctant.

"We'll do this on your terms—however you want to do it baby, I'll make it happen," Sevan said, giving into my wishes entirely.

I nodded almost a few times, "You make me feel much better," I whispered, already feeling a little less anxious now that I had more control over this.

I also felt this warmth in my stomach that Sevan always managed to cause.

But this time it felt different.

This time I wanted to say very big words to her.

And now felt like perfect time.

And maybe it is rushed.

Maybe I only discovered this feeling just seconds ago.

But I do not keep things in.

I speak my mind always.

"Tell me what else will help you feel better," Sevan said as I slowly pulled away from her chest.

And as I met her dark eyes, I lifted my hands to her face—caressing my thumb against her soft skin as I contemplated my next words.

"I feel very strong emotions for you," I went to say, unsure of how to speak my thoughts aloud.

Sevan's lips twitched up slightly, "I feel really strong emotions for you too, Zi," she didn't hesitate to say.

I nodded, blinking almost a few times.

Because I am very confused on what to say.

Or I knew what to say.

There is one word for how I currently feel.

It just suddenly feels hard to speak my mind?

Odd.

"Much more than liking me?" I whispered, wanting to ensure she feels same way before I say it.

Last time she did not seem to be on the same page as me.

"I'm falling in love with you, Zinovia," Sevan didn't hesitate to clarify, knowing how blunt I preferred to be.

I nodded almost speechlessly.

And then I nodded again.

Which naturally made Sevan grow amused, eyeing my lips that slowly lifted in a smile.

"I am..." I trailed off, shaking my head as I tried to process her unexpected words, "I am falling in love with you too."

Sevan hummed in approval, immediately closing the gap between our faces to press her lips to mine.

"I just, I would give up my role for you and—"

"You never have to do that baby," Sevan whispered against my lips, "You'll never have to make choices with me—everything is yours."

I nodded a few times, kissing her lips again as I carefully straddled her lap.

Sevan instinctively wrapped her arms around my waist, holding me closer to her as she deepened the kiss.

And I swear I felt nothing but happiness, knowing her feelings are reciprocated.

That she is as deep in as I am with all of this.

I am not alone.

"I want to touch you so fucking bad right now," Sevan whispered against my lips, sliding her hands down from my waist to squeeze my thighs, "But now isn't the time—"

"After," I immediately said, pulling back from her to meet her dark eyes, "After this is all done, we... we get highest hotel room in the city and touch every inch of each other's bodies."

Sevan's smile grew slightly, staring into my eyes with nothing but admiration, "It's a deal baby," she said, leaning in to briefly kiss my lips again, "We do room service and watch all of your favorites."

I smiled at the idea, "And then we sleep in each other's arms and don't answer any phone for hours," I said, adding to her perfect idea.

"We'll lock our phones in the safe," Sevan didn't hesitate to say, kissing my lips yet again.

My smile widened, "That is perfect idea malyshka," I said, pressing my lips to hers for a brief kiss, "We... we make love all night."

Sevan immediately raised a brow, "You want me to make love to you, Zinovia?" she questioned, lowering her tone as she held my stare with nothing but precision.

"I want your heart—your soul," I said, smiling wider as I kissed her lips yet again, "Bare your soul to me," I whispered much softer, my tone more serious compared to my previous statement.

"It's yours—everything I have is yours," Sevan murmured, caressing her nose against mine as our stares remained locked.

"Everything I have is yours too," I repeated back to her, glancing away from her stare and down to her lips.

That I kissed yet again.

But instead of a brief kiss, it was deeper.

Much much deeper.

Especially when Sevan gently slid her tongue past my lips, hugging me to her body as I wrapped my arms around her neck.

Everything burned so warmly around me, deciding to let go of our current struggles and fade away with Sevan and this beautiful kiss.

At least until the captain came onto the intercom, announcing our landing.

Then we were back to reality.

It was like a switch had quickly flipped, changing everything around us so quickly.

Once we were off that plane, there were already SUVs waiting for us.

And for once only one right-hand man was missing from the line-up.

Ivan.

But Nikolai stood waiting as always, holding a high posture as we walked toward them all.

"I am very sorry about Yuri and Arina. There was ambush and—"

"We do not have time for apologies," I immediately cut Nikolai short, motioning over to Sevan.

Who already had the wire ready for me to put in my ear.

It also tracks my location as well—just in case Nerissa decides to force me to another location.

As of right now we have undisclosed location where I am supposed to meet her.

"I'll have a team surrounding the building to corner her," Sevan told me, wrapping her arms around my waist and pulling me into a hug as one of my drivers opened the back door for me.

"As long as we get them out safe," I determined, sliding my arms around her waist to hug her back.

And I swear she couldn't feel warmer with this harsh cold air surrounding us.

"As long as we get all of you out safe," Sevan corrected me, briefly kissing my temple as we pulled away from the hug.

But she didn't quite let me go.

Instead, she gently grabbed the side of my neck, holding me in place as she stared down into my eyes.

"You're a fighter, Zinovia," she whispered, leaning down to briefly kiss my lips, "That's always been a fact."

I nodded, "I am fighter," I repeated back to her, drawing in a deep breath as she pulled away from me.

"I'll see you on the other side," Sevan didn't hesitate to assure me as she let go of my waist with clear reluctance.

I nodded, "The other side," I whispered as we naturally fell apart from each other.

It was odd.

The beating in my chest grew much more rapid as I watched her walk further down to one of the other SUVs—leaving me to slide into the backseat with Nikolai.

I was silent as I watched the driver shut the door, settling in the backseat beside him.

"Tell me where Ivan is," I demanded, knowing his missing presence at a time like this is very odd.

I just hope it does not mean what I think it does.

"Business out of town," Nikolai said as the car slowly rolled forward, and I suddenly noticed medicine sitting in the cupholder.

The one for my upset stomach as Sevan had previously promised me.

"What business?" I asked skeptically, grabbing the unopened medicine box.

"I am... unsure," Nikolai said, tilting his head almost in confusion.

I remained silent for a moment, analyzing numerous details regarding Ivan.

Someone who I now questioned the loyalty of.

I pray he is not unloyal.

I pray I am just paranoid.

But if I am correct...

Then god will not be able to show him enough mercy when I am done with him.