Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Sacha stares at the chopsticks, and it has me saying, “You can use a fork.”
He lets out a chuckle. “Good.”
When I sit down with my own bowl between Tristan and Nikhil, I wait for the men to take a bite.
Demitri’s eyes drift closed, and he groans, “God. It’s good.”
After that, they all wolf it down as if they haven’t eaten in days.
I savor them enjoying the meal I prepared, and it makes a protective feeling grow in my heart.
They keep eating until there’s nothing left, filling me with pride.
When I’m done eating, I get up to start with the dishes, but it has Demitri saying. “You go rest. We’ll clean up.”
Tristan takes hold of my hand and presses a kiss to the back of it. “Go take a long bath. Relax.”
Liking the sound of that, I leave the kitchen feeling happy and safe.
Drawing myself a bubble bath, I soak in the water until I almost fall asleep. Feeling relaxed, and like the horrible ordeal has been washed off, I get dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I didn’t know Tristan kept clothes here for us and that Alexei and Demitri kept some at our place. Tristan explained it was for situations like this one.
Knowing how prepared Alexei and Tristan are for attacks only makes me feel safer.
I go look for Tristan and find all the men in the basement. Seeing all the weapons stuns me again.
Tristan’s mouth curves up when his eyes land on me. “I’ve talked to the guys. Nikhil and Sacha will guard you from now on.”
My eyebrows lift, and I glance at the two men. “Are you okay with that? It will be a boring job.”
Nikhil lets out a chuckle. “As long as you feed us.”
Demitri removes a small handgun from a case, and walking to me, he says, “I’m going to teach you how to fire this weapon. It’s small enough to carry in your bag.”
Again my eyebrows lift, but I pay close attention as Demitri shows me how the weapon works. I get to fire a couple of rounds at the targets set up at the far end of the basement, and when I manage to actually hit it, the men cheer as if I just got a bullseye.
After the impromptu shooting session, Sacha says, “Time for sign language.”
He holds two fingers up in a peace sign. “This means you’re okay. It will have us hang back.” When he holds up his middle finger, I let out a burst of laughter. “This means you feel threatened. We kick ass then.”
“So subtle,” I laugh.
Nikhil rubs a hand over his stomach. “This means feed us.”
We all laugh, and it helps ease the last of the tension away from the attack.
Chapter 29
TRISTAN
We’re trying to get back into a routine, but it’s fucking hard not having Hana with me during the day.
I’ve become that boyfriend.
The one who phones her every thirty minutes and has her wearing a fucking tracking device. The only comfort I have is knowing Nikhil and Sacha are watching her.
But it’s still hard as fuck to focus on work.
Alexei is listening to the underground chatter for any sign that there might be a retaliation from the Albanians. So far, there are only whispers, but no one has the guts to take us on, seeing as we wiped out one of the largest criminal groups.
Knowing Hana is spending the day with friends, I try to actually get shit done.
When Alexei lets out a chuckle, my eyes snap to him. I didn’t even hear him come in.
“You should just bring her to the office. Then we can all focus on our work,” he mutters.
My eyebrow lifts. “That’s a good idea.”
“I was joking,” he laughs.
“I’m not,” I mutter. “With Hana here, I’ll feel much better.”
“Don’t smother her,” he warns me.
“I’ll fucking suffocate her if it means she’s safe,” I grumble.
Alexei shakes his head, a smile tugging at his lips as he leaves my office.
Picking up my phone, I dial her number. My heart begins to beat faster with each ring, and then she answers, drawing a relieved breath from me.
“Hi.”
“Are you okay? Where are you? Can you see Nikhil and Sasha?”
Hana lets out a burst of laughter. “I’m fine. I’m on my way home. I’m in the car with them.”
“Come to the office,” I demand.
“Sacha, go to the office,” I hear Hana tell him, then her voice comes over the line. “Why?”
“Because I want you here with me,” I reply. “I can’t get any work done.”
She chuckles in my ear. “Are you going to offer me an internship?”
My eyebrow lifts, liking the sound of that. “Yes.”
“It better be a paid one,” she demands.
My shoulders shake as I silently laugh. “Money or sex?”
“Mhhh… both,” she murmurs, making my cock grow hard for her.
“Are you close?” I ask.
“Minutes away.”