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“She’s very organized and determined. There is nothing fickle about her.”
“Then talk to her.”
“And say what? That I won’t ever be concerned again about some asshole following us? About his intentions? Or that I can promise there will never be any other dangerous moments? She even realized I’m controlling the birthday party. Now that pissed her off.”
“I don’t blame her.”
I glared at him. “I need to find out who else knew I was there. Someone talked.” Sergei immediately bristled.
“You do know you’re basically a celebrity in other parts of the world. I imagine dozens of people knew you were there.”
“You’re right except that any information provided by locals would take some time to get to other parts of the world. Chartering a flight and making other arrangements to spy on me would take time.”
“How about I check the chartered flights before you go off halfcocked?”
I wasn’t in the mood for anyone’s bullshit and allowed him to realize I was in a foul mood. “Careful.”
“How many times are you going to warn me, Pakhan? Would you like to take a hard punch to my face? Would that make you feel any better?”
When I took two strides toward him, I realized I was fucking losing control all over again. “Find out everything you can about charters, hotel reservations. Anything that might identity the motherfucker.”
“Why, yes, sir.” He stormed toward my office door.
I’d been tormented since seeing the man in Fiji, but even more so when standing on the sand with the way Isabel had looked at me.
As if she didn’t even know me any longer.
The truth was I didn’t know myself.
“I can’t lose her, Sergei. And I know in my heart that’s about to happen. She is so damn strong, so amazing, but she doesn’t deserve to be forced into this life of mine. The violence. The bloodshed. The uncertainty. What can I really offer her?”
“You just told me how strong she is and I’ve seen it. You’re right. She’s not pulling away because of the danger or even the violence. If she is pulling away, she’s doing so because when you begin to worry about something, you shut down. Your emotions. Conversations. You become angry. You don’t sleep. If you talked with her and I do mean really open up and share your pain and frustration with her, she can take it. And my guess is that not only will she offer some decent advice on how to handle situations, she’ll also give you the peace needed to make the tough decisions.”
He cocked his head as if waiting for whatever act of retaliation ran through my mind.
“You’re right. Damn it. You are right.”
“Show her how important both she and your daughter are with this birthday party. Then talk to her. You might be surprised what she’ll say.”
I shoved my hand into my trouser pocket, feeling the ring box. No, I had no intention of losing her.
She wasn’t just my everything.
Isabel Dayne was the woman I’d been lucky enough to fall in love with.
And I’d be damned if I was going to allow her to escape without a fight.
CHAPTER 28
Isabel
“You are still coming. Right?” I asked with more urgency in my voice than I’d intended.
“Of course I am. I wouldn’t miss Mina’s birthday party for the world. I’ll be there about an hour into the party. I have a change of clothes with me,” Hope said, laughing softly. “This is the second call today. What’s really going on?”
“I don’t know. I’m nervous, I guess. I want her to have a great time.”
“You haven’t told him you need some time apart. Have you?”
