Alexei immediately darts to his feet. “Good, I starved the past week.”
Shaking my head, I let out a chuckle as we leave the security room.
When we walk into the kitchen, Ariana quickly gets up from the couch. Alexei changes direction and heads toward her. Keeping one eye on them, I open the fridge and grab the eggs and bacon.
Alexei’s eyes drift slowly over Ariana’s body, and it makes my eyebrow rise. I stop moving, watching as Ariana begins to fidget, unable to meet Alexei’s gaze.
Alexei reaches a hand out and brushes his fingers over her shoulder. “You’re wearing Demitri’s shirts?”
“Ahh… I didn’t exactly have time to pack for my kidnapping.”
Alexei lets out a burst of laughter. “We’ll stop by your place when we go to Seattle.”
“We’re going to Seattle?” I ask.
Alexei’s eyes snap to me. “Tao.”
“Right.”
“Why will we only be stopping by my place?” Ariana asks. Her eyes dart between Alexei and me. “When will I get to return to my life?”
“Sit,” Alexei says, gesturing at the couches.
“I’d rather stand.” Ariana lifts her chin, and it makes a smile tug at my mouth.
Alexei nods, then he locks eyes with her. “After the stop in Seattle, we’re going to Russia.”
“But…” Apprehension flickers over her features, “The person who wants me dead is there.”
“And we need to take care of that problem. We can’t leave you here.” Alexei takes a step closer to her, and it makes my muscles tense. “This is your war, Ariana.”
“I didn’t ask for it,” she snaps at him, her fear from earlier gone.
Yep, piss off my girl, and she goes into fighting mode.
I cross my arms over my chest and lean back against the counter, the breakfast now forgotten.
Alexei frowns at me. “You said she knew everything.”
“She does.” I wave a hand at Ariana. “I didn’t say she wanted any part of it.”
Alexei turns his attention back to Ariana. “Your father was the head of the Bratva.”
“I know that, but it has nothing to do with me. I was raised by my mother.”
Alexei takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “You’re an heir, Ariana. What will you do with your father’s businesses?”
Ariana frowns, confusion flashing over her features. “Yuri will take over the businesses. I don’t understand what it has to do with me.”
Pushing away from the counter, I walk towards them. “She’s not ready, Alexei.”
He locks eyes with me. “We don’t have the luxury of time. Either you tell her, or I will.”
“Tell me what?” When I get close to them, Ariana gives me a worried look.
Lifting my hand, I wrap my fingers around the side of her neck, hoping my touch will offer her some strength.
“Tell me what?” Ariana asks again, her eyes vulnerable as she stares up at me as if I’m all that stands between her and the hell that’s being unleashed on her.
It makes my protectiveness toward her increase ten-fold.
It makes me want to kill anyone who’s a threat to her.
It makes me want to keep her on this island where life can’t touch her.
It makes me want to keep her.
To make her mine in every possible way.
It hits fucking hard, the emotion raging through me until it’s right up there with my loyalty to Alexei.
I force myself to focus on the problem at hand and shove my increasing feelings for Ariana down.
“Come,” I say, and lowering my hand to hers, I link our fingers and pull her to the couch. She’s really going to need to sit for this conversation.
Alexei walks to the sliding doors, and shoving his hands into the pockets of his black cargo pants, he stares outside.
When I take a seat with Ariana next to me, I keep hold of her hand. Locking eyes with her, I say, “This is going to be hard to hear.”
She straightens her shoulders as if she’s bracing herself. “Tell me.”
“The person who took out the contract on you is Yuri.” I watch Ariana closely, expecting heartache or anger, but instead, she just stares at me.
Chapter 16
ARIANA
I thought I was ready for whatever Demitri was going to say, but I’m not.
It takes a solid minute for the words to make sense, and then a wave of goosebumps spread from the top of my head to my feet. It’s slow, and even my tongue goes numb. My skin prickles, and my insides tense horribly.
Yuri?
My brother?
No, that can’t be right.
It feels like I’m stuck on repeat. Goosebumps. Numbing tongue. Prickling skin. Questions. Denial.
Repeat.
Breathe.
Repeat.
“Ariana?” Demitri leans closer to me, concern etched on his face. “Did you hear me?”
No.
I’m not sure.
What?
I manage to shake my head.
“Yuri ordered the contract.” Demitri pulls his hand from mine, and my fingers flex, instantly missing his touch, but then he brings both his hands to the sides of my neck.
“But…” Again I shake my head, not able to make sense of what Demitri’s saying, “…What?”