Page 115

“Why not let him come along, Boss?” Nico asked. “He’s skilled with a knife, and we can use all the manpower we can get. We’re at a disadvantage, not knowing the area or how many men Mancini will have with him.”

“Finally! Someone is being sensible.” Yuriy beamed like he’d discovered a long-lost soulmate. “I knew I liked you.”

I glared at him. “Just this morning you two would have gladly killed each other.”

Yuriy shrugged. “Water under the bridge.”

“And you,” I snapped at Nico, “the last time we spoke, you suggested permanently removing him from my life so I’d stop being tempted by another man.”

Nico went crimson. “Well, yeah, I did want to punch him in his stupid face earlier, but if he’s interested in keeping you alive, then that aligns with our goals. No issue if your trigger-happy lap dog tags along.”

Yuriy gasped. “Call me a dog again, and I’ll piss on your leg.”

Like that wouldn’t prove Nico’s point. I rubbed my face. “Enough, Yuriy. You’re giving me a headache.”

He pouted like a five-year-old being denied candy. “You’re gonna let him call me a dog then and not do anything about it?”

“Nico, don’t call him a—” I stopped. “Jesus Christ. Why am I even engaging? We need to leave.”

I cupped Yuriy’s cheek to force his attention on me. “You stay behind me at all times. Blend in with the men. You don’t talk unless I tell you to. You don’t provoke anyone. You don’t stab⁠—”

He kissed my cheek. Quick. Obnoxiously loud with a smack.

“Yes, Daddy.”

Bloody hell.

One of my men went into a coughing fit. Nico surged to his feet. “I’ll go start the car.”

“I’ll help,” Frank blurted, practically diving out the door after him.

Yuriy deadpanned, “How many Russians does it take to start a car? Apparently, two—when they share one brain.”

Igor hovered by the table, laughing nervously and rubbing the back of his neck like it might provide instructions on how to disappear.

“You!” Yuriy pointed sharply. “I’m about to shove my tongue down your boss’s throat in three seconds, so unless you want a front-row seat⁠—”

Igor bolted so fast he nearly tripped.

Yuriy snorted. “Oh, this is going to be fun. I love playing with homophobes.”

“They’re not homophobes,” I said.

He quirked a brow.

“They’re not. Frank has two moms.”

“Really?” Yuriy blinked, impressed. “Good for him. Still going to kiss you every second I get in front of them.”

I placed my hands on his waist and pulled him close. “Promise me you’ll listen. And stay safe.”

“I can promise to try,” he said sweetly. “But you know me. I can’t control what comes out of my mouth. The only time it doesn’t run is when it’s busy doing something sexy to your ass.”

Infuriating man.

I gripped his chin and kissed him hard. One second passed—just one—and he melted into me, moaning, slipping his hands behind me to grab my ass.

I pulled away.