“And then after Prague, what will we—?”
“Let’s get through Prague first.”
I fisted my hands on my side, needing to know more and have utter control.
Be patient. Stay focused.
He smiled. “After Prague, we go to Moscow. My home.”
More questions sat on my tongue, but I kept my mouth closed.
“Not satisfied?” He nodded. “Okay. We’re going to Moscow because that’s where I will kill Sasha. He’ll be heading to the throne. My throne. My castle.”
Of course, Kaz would have a castle.
I raised my eyebrows. “Do you think Sasha will bring my brother to Moscow?”
“It matters on how useful he thinks Daryl is.”
Then, that’s a no. There’s not much use with Daryl.
He crossed those big arms in front of his chest. “You’ve put a mask on your face just now. Why? Talk to me.”
“I don’t know how I want to deal with my brother.”
“Which is why I’m going to deal with Daryl.” He leaned against the wall. “I haven’t decided how yet. It’s a tricky spot since you care about him.”
That last sentence spoke volumes about Kazimir and I. Should I dare to think too deeply about those words, it would suggest that I had a lot of power with Kazimir. I could stop him from killing his proven enemy. My brother had helped plot to kill him. I was sure that any other time, that would mean automatic death. Kazimir was holding himself back and thinking about what he would do to Darryl and it was all due to me.
A tornado of emotions spun in my chest. Part of me wanted to cry in relief. The other ran confused at Kazimir’s display. Had I earned his loyalty or was it something more? Would I owe him or were we now…friends? More than lovers? Or simply elaborate and very dangerous fuck buddies?
I need space from him. I should get dressed and go out there with Max and X.
“Thank you.” I tightened the towel around me. “Thank you for everything—helping me. Helping my family. Thank you for…the sex…everything.”
He remained silent as he watched me.
He’s definitely a lion, always looking like he’s in a wooded brush and spying on prey.
“I should check on Max and X,” I whispered.
“They’re fine. Are you hungry?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll order something.”
“Thank you, but I’ll grab something in the front.” I began to walk past him.
He stopped me from leaving the bathroom, grabbing my wrist with one hand and putting his finger under my chin to make me look up at him. “You know how I like to be thanked.”
“Do I still have more thanking to do?”
He lifted part of his lip up in a lustful sneer. “Not at this time.”
I cleared my throat to remind myself and him of our true relationship. “Then I’ll do my thanking by being your eyes and ears in Prague. Language barrier or not.”
I’ll figure it out.
He smiled. “I know you will, but most of all, stay safe.”
“I will. Maxwell will be with me.”
“Hmmm.” A muscle under his eye twitched. “That’s good, but Luka remains with you too.”
“Okay.”
Fuck it. I probably need Luka now. This won’t be Harlem.
Releasing my wrist, he took a step toward me, crowding me in the doorway, towering over me. He made no move to touch me, but he placed his hands on either side of my body, caging me in. His smell invaded my senses, making it hard to think. “You seem uncomfortable with this situation.”
“I like answers to all my questions, but I understand I won’t get all the answers with you.”
“What other questions do you have?”
I looked up into his eyes. “After our brothers…after everything…what do you want from me, Kaz?”
He leaned in. His mouth was just a breath from mine. “I want everything from you, mysh. Every fucking thing.”
His words sent a rush of desire through me, making my pussy warm and clench.
It wasn’t a question, so I didn’t answer. I didn’t know if I could give him everything. In that moment with him so close, I damn sure wanted to try.
But in the long term, would that be a good idea? How long would a lion want to play with a mouse before he became bored and ate her up?
Nevertheless, his eyes were so intense, I believed him. It felt too good, and I wasn’t used to anything feeling so good—especially not a man’s touch or attention.
What is he doing to me?
As if he thought I didn’t hear him, he whispered again, “Everything.”
I didn’t know why. For some reason, being in the air made me act on emotions instead of rational.
“I’ll try.” I should’ve moved away, but instead, I closed the sliver of distance between us, latching my fingers behind his neck.
Groaning, he grabbed my hips and pulled me to him.
A door slammed behind us.
Kazimir left my lips and turned. “Schtoh?”
By now I knew that word meant what. Anytime someone interrupted, Kazimir growled it out in annoyance.
“Schtoh?! I’m with Emily.”
Luka’s face held fear as he stepped in and spoke rapidly in Russian. Whatever he was saying didn’t sit well with Kazimir. He left our embrace, muttered something under his breath, and went to the suite’s windows. Slowly, I followed him, not wanting to get in his way, but needing to see what he was looking at.
What could be outside of the window that would make Luka nervous?
So many crazy things came to my mind. Were we flying into a mountain? Had the pilot gone the wrong way? Were we back in New York?
That last question made me excited a little. The fear of a new country had me on edge. I would rather risk an FBI probe in Harlem than deal with being somewhere new for the first time.
Either way, I was wrong. There were no mountains or signs of New York outside the window. Instead, there were several massive fighter jets—old and new. They looked like they’d come off of a war movie set. Some of the jets had an American flag decorated on the side. Others had the Russian flag.
What the fuck?
Kazimir threw an order at Luka in Russian. The bear of a man left.
I waited for the dread to leave Kazimir’s face, but it never did.
“My uncle spotted Valentina’s plane before anyone else. He had men secure the air space near his home.”
Usually, I would’ve held the question in. It was always better to listen instead of speak. One learned more that way. But this time I couldn’t help myself as I blurted it out, “Your uncle has American fighter jets and he secures the air space for Prague?”
“Yes, but he secures the air space for himself. He’s a little paranoid.”
I scanned the sky. Where there had been only golden rays slicing through puffy white clouds and a clear blue sky, big, booming metal creatures now crowded the space. It was like a war movie scene with all the planes filling the sky and heading to bomb enemy territory.
Instead of Kazimir looking outside, he watched me. “Don’t let this worry you. My uncle is a nice man, once you get to know him.”
“He has American fighters?” I counted them. “Ten.”
Kazimir smiled. “What do you know about fighter jets?”