I shake my head as I climb in. “Not yet.”
“Good,” he murmurs before he shuts the door.
When Tristan slides in behind the steering wheel, he says, “I want to show you the new offices, and then I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” I ask as I pull on my seat belt.
Tristan winks at me as he starts the engine. When he doesn’t say anything by the time we leave Trinity, I ask, “What kind of surprise?”
He lets out a burst of laughter. “The good kind.”
I pout at him. “Tell me.”
His eyes dart to me before returning to the road. “I’m making you dinner.”
“You can cook?” I ask, and it makes him chuckle.
“I make a mean mac and cheese.”
Not expecting those words from him, I begin to laugh, then say, “I can’t wait to see this.”
Tristan stops in front of an impressive building that rises into the sky. There’s a statue of a weeping angel in front of the entrance, and when I get out of the car, I walk closer to get a better look.
“Gosh, this is beautiful,” I murmur as I stare up at the angelic face.
“I had it flown in from Germany,” Tristan informs me.
Taking my hand, he links our fingers and leads me into the building. I notice the name Hayes & Koslov engraved on a wall.
“Who’s Koslov?” I ask.
“A very good friend. You’ll meet him soon,” Tristan answers. He gestures at the floor. “I had them use rosa aurora marble flooring. It’s the same marble used for the sculpture.”
“It’s beautiful.” I grin at his excitement as he pulls me to the elevators. When we step out on the top floor, we walk to an office right at the end of the hallway.
Tristan opens the door. “Welcome to my domain.”
Stepping inside, I glance around at the office. When I see the dark furnishes and black marble desk, I let out a chuckle. “My man and his fondness for all things dark.”
I walk to the windows behind the desk and stare out at the city below. “You also like your heights.”
Tristan wraps his arms around me from behind and presses his cheek to mine. “I do.”
I turn around and link my hands behind his neck. Knowing how hard he’s worked to achieve all of this, I say, “I’m proud of you. What you’re building is amazing.”
Tristan lowers his head and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “It means a lot coming from you, my angel.”
There’s a soft tap against the door, and Tristan glances over his shoulder.
I thought we were the only ones here.
“Alexei,” Tristan says as he pulls away from me. “Are you still getting settled in your office?”
“Yes.” The word sounds harsh and clipped.
I step out from behind Tristan, and then I feel pin prickles spread over the back of my neck.
Dark eyes lock on me, and I feel an intense ripple of fear down the back of my spine. The man in front of me looks like what I’d imagine death to look like. Dark and merciless.
Then his mouth curves up, and his expression changes into a happy one, making me do a double-take.
His accent is thick as he chuckles. “This must be your Hana.”
Tristan places his hand on my lower back, giving me a soft nudge forward.
Alexei comes right at me, and I press back against Tristan’s hand. Then I’m enveloped in a big hug, and for a second time tonight, I’m lifted from the floor. The hug is quick, and when I’m placed back on my feet, Alexei grips my shoulders and presses a kiss to both my cheeks.
I stand frozen, my lips slightly parted.
Alexei’s smile warms as if he’s greeting a family member, and an affectionate expression makes him look… less deadly. “You were right, brother. She’s a vision.”
Tristan’s arm comes around my waist, and he pulls me possessively to his side. “My Hana.”
Finally, life returns to my body, and I manage to form a smile.
“Your one,” Alexei murmurs. His gaze turns to Tristan. “That’s what her name means in Korean. One.”
Tristan glances down at me, a look of pride on his face.
Alexei continues, “In Japanese, it’s flower, and in Maori, it means radiance.” He chuckles again. “A befitting name.”
“Light,” Tristan murmurs. His smile is warm as he looks from me to Alexei, and I get a feeling it’s crucial for him that Alexei and I get along.
If Alexei is important to Tristan, then I’ll do my best.
I meet Alexei’s eyes, and placing my hands over my stomach, I bow slightly as a show of respect. “It’s an honor meeting you.”
Alexei inclines his head, then he chuckles again. “I already love her.”
A wide smile spreads over Tristan’s face. “If you’re done for the evening, join us for dinner.”
I gesture at Tristan. “He says he makes a mean mac and cheese.”
Alexei nods. “I’d love to.”
Smiling up at Tristan, I say, “Let’s go home so we can watch you prepare this gourmet meal for us.”
Chapter 17
TRISTAN
Hearing Hana refer to my place as home… was everything.
I was worried about Hana and Alexei meeting, but I feel much better now.
Walking into the penthouse, Alexei and I remove our jackets while Hana walks to the fridge, asking, “What do you want to drink?”
I gesture at the crystal table where there’s a selection of alcohol, saying, “I’ll take care of the drinks.”
While Hana gets water for herself, I pour Alexei and I each a finger of vodka, and before we down it, we murmur, “Na zdoróvʹje.”
I fill Alexei’s glass with vodka again while pouring myself a bourbon.
“What does that mean?” Hana asks as she comes to stand close to my side. “The words you just said.” She places her hand on my back, and when I lift my arm around her shoulders, she presses into my side.
Most people find Alexei… intimidating. I’m not surprised she’s cautious of him.
“To your heart’s content,” Alexei answers her. “It’s how we toast in Russia.”
I nudge Hana toward the couch. “I’m going to get started with dinner. The two of you should sit and get to know each other.”
Alexei takes a seat and rests his right leg on his knee, getting comfortable.
Hana sits down on the edge of the couch opposite from him, her demeanor on guard. Leaning over her, I press a kiss to her hair. Moving lower to her ear, I whisper, “You’re safe.”
As I straighten up, her eyes dart to mine. I smile to set her at ease, and it works because she scoots back and curls up against the armrest.
I walk to the kitchen as Alexei says, “Tristan tells me you’re studying law.”
“I am.”
I keep an eye on them while I prepare the mac and cheese, one of the few things I can make.
“Do you and Tristan know each other from work?” Hana asks him.
Alexei’s eyes flick to me as he answers, “You could say so, but he’s more like a little brother to me.” Hearing the words makes my lips curl up. Alexei continues to explain, “Most of my family is still in Russia, and my brother’s in Switzerland, so I don’t get to see them as much as I’d like to.”