Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
I move quickly. When under attack, the worst thing to do is hide and wait for your attackers to find you. I open the door.
“Markov!”
Irina stands outside with Morozov. I quickly tuck my gun away, but if either of them saw it, they don’t give any indication.
“What’s going on?”
Irina heads to me, dressed in loungewear, while Morozov is wearing a robe.
“It appears there was an explosion in a nearby lab,” Morozov says, peering at his phone. “We’ve called in an emergency, and we’re waiting for them to arrive now. Never fear; all is fine, though. We just need to be sure no contaminants were leaked and that whatever caused the explosion won’t detonate again.”
I don’t buy it. I heard it here, not in a lab. Or were there explosions in both places as a cover?
“I definitely heard one outside of the lab.”
“Mmm, did you?” Irina asks. “We will have to investigate.”
Jake and the silent blond man join us.
“Ah. Quick thinking,” Irina says. “Thankfully it looks like no one was injured.”
“Yes,” I say, still disbelieving. “I’ll be right back.”
I head back inside and get Vera, who’s standing at the entrance to the community room, her arms crossed over her chest, glaring at me.
“They say there was an explosion in the lab.”
She shakes her head. “That’s bullshit. We were there. It was way too close to our room to be explained as an explosion in the lab.”
“Right.” Something’s definitely amiss.
“Am I allowed to come in now?” she asks petulantly, rolling her eyes at me.
We’re alone in here but may not be for long. I reach her in three long strides and hold her chin in my hand. Her fiery gaze meets mine, and she doesn’t back down.
“Behave yourself, little girl.”
“Markov,” she says, even as her eyes widen. “This is not the time or place —”
I lean in and put my mouth to her ear. “To make sure you stay safe? The fuck it isn’t.”
“Well, no, I mean to start like. . . flirting with me,” she says in a whisper.
I pinch her chin and speak more harshly. “I am not flirting.”
The door behind us opens, and we pull away.
I hate this. I hate that I’m concerned for her safety, but my hands are tied. I hate that the two of us have to hide who we are and what we want. I hate that I’ve had to lie to her. I hate that there can’t and never will be anything between us but what we have here because of who we are.
Morozov and Irina enter, and the American starts running his mouth off.
“The security system and alarm system are so outdated—”
“It was nearby,” Vera says. “I heard it.”
He gives her a withering look and rolls his eyes before he catches me staring at him. He doesn’t even bother to hide his horror as his cheeks flush bright red, and he mutters something about needing rest and seeing them all in the morning.
I don’t trust this scrawny asshole.
As he exits, so do I. “Be right back.”
“Markov—” I shut the door before Vera can protest.
“Hey.”
Jake stops short, a look of terror in his eyes. “I didn’t say anything to her. You can’t give me shit about anything. I didn’t say a word.” He draws himself to his full height, still a full head shorter than I am. “And anyway, you can’t touch me.”
Oh, really?
I take a step toward him. “Can’t I? I told you to leave her alone. I told you to make sure you—”
“Didn’t blab about who you two really are to everyone else? Right.”
Though he still looks scared, a smug look fills his face when I clamp my lips together. What does this stupid asshole know?
“I heard you talking,” he says, his trembling voice betraying his nerves. “And where are your rings? You aren’t married. No one believes you are.”
I take another step closer to him. “We aren’t? So you know the truth, then?”
He wilts and doesn’t reply. He doesn’t know shit.
“What’s the truth, Jake? Go ahead. What is it you want to share with everyone?”
“You’re not her husband,” he says, but less sure this time.
I take another step toward him so the toes of our shoes are touching. “Listen to me. Who we are or who we aren’t doesn’t impact you at all, does it? You earned your place here and so did she.” I lean closer to him. “Morozov joked about a bodyguard, didn’t he? Let’s just say he wasn’t far from the truth.”
Jake’s eyes widen.
“I’m here because that woman is worth more than you can imagine. Her life is of great value and her family of great importance.” I tip my head to the side. “You do know what the purpose of a bodyguard is, don’t you?”
“Of course,” he flusters, and I can tell by the look in his eyes he’s dying to know who she is.