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“It makes sense. I mean, our home is security central. Nothing gets inside and everyone who does is screened and watched twenty-four seven. If something wasslipped inside his food, it would have been picked up by the search on entering the premises, or the cameras that are everywhere.”
“It could be somebody else, on the inside, that is. What about the chef, the supplier of the food?”
“They have all been checked out and everything was analyzed.”
She sighs deeply. “Titus is going over everything again in finer detail with what Adele said in mind. He has called the family meeting and I’m scared its bad news.”
“Your mom?”
She nods miserably.
“What if it’s her, James? What do we do about that?”
She cuts a dejected figure, unlike the strong confident woman who walked in here beside me, and I whisper, “You will do what’s right for your family.”
Our food arrives and as we make small talk and eat, I hate the feeling that I’m losing Ana, because her mind is now back in Russia—back with her family and the outcome of her trip is uncertain. Without her, my future is uncertain because now I have her, I never want to let her go.
CHAPTER 27
ANA
Tomorrow, I leave for Russia.
For home.
It’s always been home to me, but James won’t be there. As we head back to his apartment, it strikes me that I now think of that as home. The rather small apartment, albeit in a smart neighbourhood, is worlds away from what I’m used to, but it’s our sanctuary.
I love being here with James. It’s cozy, safe and our space to be together; our own little bubble, if you like. Now I must leave and become the Russian heiress to the Romanov dynasty. Part of a billion dollar family where my life is controlled and no longer my own.
However, most of all, James won’t be there. The one person I want to be with more than any other, even my family. I want him holding my hand when we face my demons together because with him by my side, I can face what the future holds.
But he is needed here. As always, business comes first and his business is The Rose Foundation. When Titus made the call, I was delighted. It makes perfect sense and rewards him for the pain he endured at Adele’s hands all those years. It was the right thing to do, which didn’t surprise me because Titus never makes a bad decision. He is the rightful head of The Romanov family and not just because he’s the eldest. He is also the most formidable, cunning and devious, with a heart so full of gold it’s priceless.
I’m worried because my brother is all by himself. He allows nobody in and even family are kept at a distance. He is always deep in thought and never holds a candle to his thought process, and I am concerned that he will struggle to find a woman who can deal with that.
I note the pain James is still in as he sits gingerly on the couch, and I rush to his side with concern. “Can I get you anything, a coffee perhaps?”
I smile as he grins. “Not yet.”
“Then what?”
“Come here, baby.”
“But your injuries.”
“Will fade, but I’m not wasting a second of the time we have left, which means you may need to sleep on that flight tomorrow because you’re not getting any tonight.”
“But it’s barely lunchtime.” I raise my eyes and he drops me a wicked grin.
“Exactly.”
The deep yearning in his eyes is shrouded by lust andI push aside my concern and, holding his gaze, I unzip my dress and step out of it. His eyes gleam as I remove my underwear and walk slowly toward him.
“You’re a little overdressed, baby.” I whisper huskily as I reach for the hem of his polo shirt and ease it gently over his head.
The bruises decorate his body like painted strokes of evil and I sink to my knees and press light kisses on every one.
He lies back against the couch and sighs as I press soft kisses to his skin, healing the memory and demonstrating a softer kind of loving.
