Page 78 of Unholy Tsar

My jaw drops when I see who.

There’s Maksim, gripping Dmitri by the neck. The man’s legs dangle helplessly in the air as Maksim’s hold tightens. But he’s not fighting Maksim; I know immediately why. Shit.

When I say I run, I mean fast.

No way in hell am I letting this happen again.

Maksim’s eyes flick up when I stumble inside. He drops Dmitri to the floor and rushes over to embrace me tightly. I blink in surprise at the desperate intensity of his hug, but I slowly raise my arms and hug him back just as fiercely.

Immediately, warmth floods through me, , melting away my loneliness and melancholy as I breathe in his scent. This, with him, feels like home. How can someone dangerous and scary like him make me feel safe and comfortable?

He pulls back from the hug and gives me a slight shake. “Where were you?”

“Just outside, getting some fresh air. I didn’t move past the fountains, I swear.” I turn to point and realize we have the attention of everyone in the lobby. Maksim comes to the same realization and bundles me toward the elevators.

“I thought you were gone.”

I have nowhere to go is on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow it and say, “No, I just felt a little lonely and wanted a change of scenery.”

“I understand. I’m sorry.” He pulls me back into his arms as the elevator doors slide shut. “I think I’m getting close. It’ll be over soon, and we’ll go back home.”

There’s that word again. Home.

But I don’t have a home. Not now. Not ever. So what will happen to me when we return to New York?

I push the depressing thought from my head and snuggle into Maksim’s chest. Then, another far more comforting thought pops into my head.

Maybe home doesn’t have to be a place. Maybe it can just be wherever I’m with him. This sure feels like home, huddled up together, even if we’re countless miles away from where I grew up.

My heart fills just as my stomach sinks.

But what happens if my home is busy? What if he’s out there fighting the bad guys, and I’m left behind to take care of the nest? Can I still have a home then? Can I still be happy?

Will we ever settle down?

A conflicted storm rages inside of me as I look at the man who has saved my life, protected me from my demons, and made me feel like the most important girl in the world.

With him here, my loneliness doesn’t feel so bad, just something I have to suffer in order to be with the man of my dreams.

Fuck. Man of my dreams?

My heart pounds as a realization dawns on me.

Am I in love?

28

MAKSIM

I wake up before Cecilia, and I steal a moment to watch her sleep before slipping out of bed. I’ve been neglecting her these past few days; it’s time to rectify that. Tugging on a pair of pants, I head out of our bedroom, determined to surprise her with something special.

When I walk into the living room, my men jump to their feet, but I wave them back down. We’ve had enough work; now it’s time to remember how to live. Making my way into the kitchen, I open the fridge. There isn’t much inside.

“Dante,” I call out. “Get in here.”

He’s quick about it. “Yes, boss?”

“Do you cook?”