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)
Vera wrinkles her nose. “Um. That’s a little early, isn’t it?”
“We’ll need to shower and eat breakfast after the run if we’re to be ready by seven.”
Though she blows out a breath, she agrees. “True.”
Everyone part ways, and we walk once again hand-in-hand back to our dorm apartment.
“What did you think?” she asks.
“The food was excellent. I’ve missed food like that. You?”
“Some of it was good, but I can already tell I’m going to miss some of my American food.” She smiles. “I wasn’t asking about the food, though, Markov. What did you think of the people?”
I suspected that’s what she meant.
“I don’t trust anybody, so I’m the last person to ask.”
We walk in silence for a moment.
“Who do you find particularly untrustworthy? Besides the American?”
“The silent blond guy. Hid himself from everyone. I would suspect he either feels as if he’s above everyone, or he doesn’t belong at all. But I don’t trust people who don’t interact when socialization is expected. I’m not a social guy myself, but I know how to behave. “
“I see. Interesting. You talk a lot about behavior and how people behave,” she says. With the way she flutters her fingertips across her neckline, I wonder how thirsty Vera is. . .
I shrug. “It’s true. It’s who I am. I don’t play bullshit games, Vera.” I give her a wink. “As for the rest, time will tell. The Irishman is a bit arrogant but intelligent, and he knows his place. Jake wants recognition from everyone—a stereotypical Ivy League pretty boy raised by wealthy parents. Hopefully, being in a program like this will take him down a peg or two. The girl seems nice enough, though you’ll need to watch her competitive streak. I like Morozov and Irina. They seem to be good mentors, and I hope they treat you well.”
Her brows shoot up her forehead. “Good observations.”
“It’s my job.”
When we arrive back at the room, the little hairs on the back of my neck rise. I reach for her and hold her back before she can enter.
“What?”
I can practically fucking smell it in the air.
“Don’t move.”
“What’s wrong?” she whispers.
“It’s a feeling I have.” And I’d rather be wrong than step right into a dangerous situation. Both of us are Bratva. We both are moving targets, for different reasons.
I open the door to the room and make her stand right behind me while I scan everything.
The air in the room feels different, subtly charged from a presence that lingers like smoke after a fire. Everything seems untouched, yet it smacks of an intrusion. “Somebody’s been in here. “
They were careful, but I know they were here.
“Markov, I think you’re overreacting. I was in a bit of a rush when we were leaving, remember? I kind of left things all over the place. “
I shake my head. “Trust me. Somebody was in here. Look through your belongings and tell me if you’re missing anything.”
“Everything’s fine, Markov,” she begins, giving me a look that tells me she’s not amused by this current line of thinking. “We weren’t gone very long.”
“Look.”
“If you insist.” She goes through her clothing and finds nothing amiss, then heads to the bathroom. “I told you everything is—” She stops mid-sentence, staring into the bathroom. “Wait. Nothing’s missing, but. . . this is not where I put things. Everything’s been. . . moved. My toothbrush was on the left of the sink, and now it’s on the right. I always brush with my non-dominant hand on purpose. I put my shampoo on the top shelf and the conditioner on the bottom because that’s always how I do things, and now they’ve been switched.”
She spins around and stares at me. “You’re right. Someone’s been in here. Do we need to move? Find another room? We need to tell somebody—”
I shake my head and take a step so that I can be closer to her. I can tell she’s on the verge of panicking.
“Markov, I’ve never been away from home before. What if I’m a target? What if you are? What if somebody doesn’t want me to be in this program?”
I reach my hand to her arm to steady her, to calm her down. “You’re fine. I’m fine. Fucking no one is going to hurt you when I’m around. You do not go anywhere without me, Vera. I mean that. Of course you’re a target. You’re an Ivanov.”
When she shakes her head, I decide to lay down the law about my expectations. It will have the dual effect of making sure she stays safe and testing the waters.
I tip my finger under her chin and lift her gaze to mine. “Am I clear?”
She swallows and nods, her eyes widening. “Are you sure it’s safe for us to stay here tonight?”
I smile at her. “I dare anyone to come back in this room when I’m here. I’ve already spoken to Irina. The locks will be fixed tomorrow. You’re safe. Someone came in here to rattle you. They achieved that. And when I find out who it is, I’ll personally deal with them.” She shivers but nods.