Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“The house on the right,” Viktor instructs from the passenger seat.
I pull up in the driveway and bring the vehicle to a stop. Climbing out, I check our surroundings for threats even though I don’t have to. The estate is safer than Ford Knox.
I still do it so I can get into the routine. The faster, the better.
A golden retriever comes running toward us and jumps up against Viktor. I watch as my boss gives the old dog some attention, then the animal comes to sniff my feet.
I let him do his thing before I pat him on the head.
“Her name is Luna,” Viktor says.
Oh, not a he but a she.
“I want to see my wife before I show you where you’ll live.”
I follow Viktor to his house, and when he enters through sliding doors, I stay out on the veranda so he’ll have privacy.
“You’re home!” I hear Mrs. Vetrov exclaim. “I didn’t expect you until much later.”
“Hi, baby,” he murmurs lovingly. “I missed you and our son. Put that down so I can love you.”
There’s a moment’s silence, and I keep my eyes on the house to the right.
“Let me look at my son,” Viktor says. “He’s gotten bigger.” Another pause, then he asks, “What have you been up to?”
“I found a cute little bookstore today and got some books for Roman.”
“You don’t think he’s a little young to start reading?” Viktor teases his wife.
“Duh…It’s for me to read to him,” Rosalie chuckles. “The owner of the bookstore is also a mom. I gave her my number and hope she’ll call so we can hang out.”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t give me that look. She’s harmless. Not everyone is a threat.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” A few seconds later, Viktor calls, “Alek, come in.”
Stepping into the living room, I glance at Viktor’s wife and son.
“This is Rosalie, my wife.” Viktor pulls her close to his side.
“It’s an honor meeting you,” I say.
Viktor gestures at me, then explains to Rosalie, “Alek will live on the grounds. I’m going to train him to be my second-in-charge.”
Rosalie smiles politely but then gives me a look of warning. “Take good care of my husband.”
“I will,” I promise.
“I’m just going to take him to the main house before showing him his own place,” Viktor tells Rosalie. “I’ll be back in an hour or so, Moya malen'kaya roza.”
Hearing Viktor call her ‘his little rose’ makes me remember how I called Everleigh ‘my little love.’
The pain is sharp, and I struggle to breathe for a moment.
It’s hard watching the people around me find happiness and start families. I’ll never have that.
I lower my eyes to the floor and try to push the harrowing memories away before they can consume me.
Misha isn’t here to calm my ass down, and I can’t lose my shit in my boss’ home.
We exit the mansion and walk toward the biggest house on the estate. The dark cloud over my head lifts a little as I realize I’m about to meet Demitri Vetrov and Alexei Koslov.
The pair made the best assassin and custodian for decades, and no one has beaten their records.
Alexei was also the head of the bratva before Viktor took over.
Viktor shoves a side door open and calls out, “Where’s everyone?”
“In the kitchen,” a man replies.
When we enter a state-of-the-art kitchen, I lay eyes on the two men sitting by a round table and goosebumps spread over my body.
Even though they’re in their sixties, they still look badass as fuck.
Holy fuck. It’s finally happening.
Alexei’s eyes lock on me, and he tilts his head as he murmurs, “Aleksandr Aslenhov.”
I’m not surprised that he knows who I am. There’s nothing in this world this man doesn’t know.
He rises from his seat, and when he comes to stand in front of me, we lock eyes. He searches for something in my gaze before he says, “What you went through was fucked up. I hope you’ll find some happiness with us.”
The words are unexpected.
I can only nod. Not even for Alexei Koslov can I face my past.
He places his hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “We’ll spend some time together tomorrow.”
“That would be great,” I admit. “I have the highest respect for you, sir.”
“Just Alexei.” He turns away from me to take a seat again.
Demitri, Viktor’s father, just stares at me, so I walk closer and reach a hand out to him. “It’s good to meet you in person, sir.”
“Just Demitri,” he mutters.
The corner of my mouth lifts because Alexei and Demitri are so much alike.
I’m introduced to Viktor’s mother, Ariana, and then to Alexei’s wife, Isabella. She’s just as intimidating as her husband.
Isabella and Ariana both look at me with compassion, which tells me everyone here knows what happened to me.
“Alek will start as a chauffeur. I’ll train him over the next year to become my second-in-charge,” Viktor says.