“Just don’t bother them.”
She smiled at me. “And what else does Emily mean to you?”
“I’ve already explained.”
“When I arrived, you were both in the bedroom together.”
I chuckled. “That is what a man and woman does sometimes, Valentina. They are inside of a bedroom together. I believe that’s how you got Natalya.”
“Are you in love with Emily?”
I grinned. “How can I be in love with someone that I’ve just met?”
“Something is happening with you, brother. You’re acting different.”
“A lot has happened, but nothing’s different.”
I hadn’t lied to my sister. In many ways I didn’t feel different, yet I had to admit that I acted out of character. It wasn’t like me to travel with any woman, especially in such a chaotic time.
“Are you in love with Emily?”
“How can I be in love with someone that I’ve just met?”
“Something is happening with you, brother. You’re acting different.”
Maybe my sister had a point. Still, I wasn’t ready to think about it. Granted, I’d never been so consumed by any woman before. I didn’t even know the last time I really looked at a woman when she didn’t have my cock deep down her throat.
“A lot has happened, but nothing’s different”
In fact, I probably did lie to Valentina, but I would never admit it to her or anyone else. Emily had called to me from the very beginning. Perhaps she was meant to be mine one day. Since a kid, I’d always had a talent for trapping mice.
This mouse won’t be easy to catch.
New York was supposed to be about Rumi and a possible oncoming war. Instead, I’d. . .fallen into something. Lust. Obsession. Desire. I couldn’t point to it, but I was deep into the shit of it. After having Emily, I yearned for her more than ever before. My need was beyond comprehension and hard to describe, but still it burned thick inside of my soul.
Emily pulled me out of my thoughts. “Do you fly a lot?”
“Always. . .at least, when I’m allowed in that country.”
“I doubt you would let a little travel ban stop you.”
I smiled. “This is true.”
Emily and I walked out of the private gate exit and onto the airplane. The whole time, I held her hand, unable to not touch her. With each step, her fingers shivered against mine.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as we got to the stairs leading to Natalie’s plane.
“I’ve never been on a plane before.”
“You’ll be with me the whole time.”
Emily widened her eyes. “Will that be enough, when we’re up in the air?”
“Well, if you’re feeling edgy, I can definitely think of ways to knock the edge off.”
“I hate that I admitted that to you.” She blushed. “You’ll never stop saying that.”
“I just enjoy knocking the edge off.”
She sighed. “Me too.”
We climbed onto the plane.
I got in front to lead the way. She must’ve thought that we would sit in the main area with everyone else, but I had other plans.
The tailor had finally finished. The suit fit right and had a silky texture. My sister always knew how to save the day.
“Thank you for giving me a ride,” I said to Valentina.
She walked around me, checking out my suit. “How can I say no, when you bought me the plane in the first place?”
“It’s still nice.”
The plane had been a sore spot for everyone. It made most jealous, especially Sasha.
It’s probably why he decided to kill me. Didn’t I buy her the plane over a year ago?
When Valentina had announced her pregnancy and that she was carrying my first niece, I had to buy her a plane and make sure my niece and her had no excuse to not visit me in Russia.
The cost was ungodly—running around eighty million—but it was for Valentina after all. A Gulfstream G660. Twenty-thousand cubic feet of luxury cabin space. Designer outfitted. Comfy leather chairs that reclined all the way back for sleep. Plush couches. Large windows to bring in plenty of natural light. Two televisions. A dining area. Two bathrooms, one with its own walk-in shower. The other was a private bathroom connected to a master suite with a large bed.
My sister finished her assessment of my suit and nodded at the tailor. “Thank you.”
The man gathered his items. His helpers got the rest.
Minutes later, they exited Emily’s place.
I smoothed the front of my jacket. “I must also ask you for another favor, Valentina.”
She quirked one eyebrow. “What, Kazimir?”
“I want your bedroom for the flight.”
She smirked at me as if she knew a wicked secret. “And will your Emily be joining you in there?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting. Did you know that I have cameras in the room? I’ll have to get them shut off.”
“No, just give me the tapes.”
She shook her head. “You should be focused on Sasha—”
“Can I use your bedroom for the trip?”
“Of course, you can, Kazimir. Who would say no to you?” She sighed. “You’re going to fall for this Emily, and then things will really get interesting. I’ve never seen you in love.”
“You’re getting too excited.” I left her there, but muttered under my breath, “I just want to. . .explore her.”
On the plane, I guided Emily forward. Rustling and movement sounded behind me. Everyone else was probably climbing on too.
Excitement covered Emily’s face as she took in every luxurious detail. “This is. . .a stunning plane.”
I squeezed her hand. “Not bad for your first flight?”
“Not bad at all.”
I led her past the main cabin.
“Where are we going?” Emily asked.
“We’ll be in my sister’s bedroom. It’s about ten hours to Prague. I assumed you would want to lay down and be comfortable.” I opened the door to the bedroom.
She slowly walked in. “You also thought that since I would be super nervous about flying, I may need you to knock the edge off?”
“I did plan for that.” I shut the door. “And you did promise me another and another time. How many anothers did we say?”
She blinked. “I don’t remember. I was too busy coming over and over.”
“Hmmm.”
She didn’t sit down on the bed.
Instead, we stood in front of each other.
She turned her head to the right and spotted her painting leaning against the wall. “How did you get that back?”
“My sister met with Sasha last night for dinner. She went into my room and took the painting with her, probably telling Sasha that she wanted something to remind her of me.”
A huge smile spread across Emily’s face.
“What else is on your mind?”
She turned her attention away from the painting. Her expression went back to serious. “The FBI agent. Who is she?”
I was wondering when you would ask.
“She’s been trying to catch me for years, but as you can see, it’s never worked out.”
“Have you ever. . .had sex with her?”