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“To—say—a drugstore or something.”
His brows snap together. “You’re not feeling better?”
I jump on the excuse. “Actually, no. My stomach is really bothering me. I was hoping to maybe speak with a pharmacist. I have a history of ulcers and I’ve been so stressed—the vomiting and?—”
“I get it.” Pavel is still frowning at me as he barks, “We’ll leave in fifteen. Maxim, you’re coming.”
Fifteen minutes later, I’m in the back seat next to Maxim smiling like a goof even as I wring my hands nervously in my lap.
Pavel peers at me in the rearview mirror. “You are nervous.”
“I haven’t been out without Kirill since—well…” I shrug. “You know.”
He studies me even as he drives. “If this is a plan to escape, I should let you know I am an excellent hunter. And although I love a good chase, I very much dislike the idea of having to chase you.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t get your nuts in a twist, Mac. I have no intention of running.”
“Stop calling me Mac.”
Maxim twists to me. “You’re kind of obsessed with his nuts.”
My mouth falls open. “Ew! Don’t let Kirill hear you say that. It’ll be the end of Mac, and I’m starting to kind of like him.”
Pavel’s teeth grind behind his jaw. I bite back a giggle as Maxim leans closer to me. “Why do you call him Mac?”
“He’s a hard nut, but he’s sweet on the inside.” I lean closer to whisper, “Like a Macadamia nut.”
Maxim is silent for a long minute. And then the man howls. He throws his head back and everything. “Mac. I like it.” He claps Pavel on the shoulder. “Hey, Mac, it suits more than you know.”
“Call me Mac again and I’ll cut out your tongue and feed it to Rafiki.”
I gasp. “Rafiki has more taste than that!”
“The cat is a lion in kitten fuzz. He would happily devour it.”
“Honestly,” I mutter more to myself than them. “You’re all rubbing off on me if I’m not horrified by this conversation. Maybe I should try my hand at escape.”
“Better not.” Maxim shakes his head. “Pavel will catch you and feed you to Kirill.”
I raise a brow. “Is that supposed to deter me?”
Maxim laughs. Even Pavel’s lips twitch.
Maxim says affectionately, “You do belong with us.”
“Yeah,” I agree softly, feeling more emotion that I like to admit. “I think I do.”
Pavel won’t leave my side. I’ve even tried to sway him away by blubbering about really gross bodily fluid—the kind one expels when one is very, very ill. He simply gives me a shake of his head, his decision firm and unshakeable.
My eyes drift to where Maxim waits just inside the door. “Really, Mac, you can just go stand with him. I’ll be quick.”
“No.”
“I’m asking for privacy.” It’s my last attempt. I’ve tried everything else. “Please.”
“I was hired to keep you safe. I can’t ensure your safety if you’re on the other side of the store.” His eyes are hard. “My answer is firm.”
I huff. “Fine.” I start for the aisle I need, hesitating.
