“And when are we leaving?” I grabbed the bottle, twisted the top off, and chugged.
“Oh, I’m sorry. The pilot said it will be fifthteen minutes.”
I swallowed down the harsh liquid. “Tell the pilot that we leave in five minutes.”
Emily spoke up, “Kaz, the pilot may need the time to do safety checks or something.”
I swallowed more of the burning liquid. “Tell him five.”
“Yes, sir.” The stewardess left.
I slammed the door.
For some reason, my mouse giggled. “Come here, baby.”
I prowled over the bed with the bottle, pulled the sheet away, and studied the wounds some more. “Several punches. Jabs. Kicks. Swelling on your thigh. If your right leg isn’t broken, it’s sprained.”
She waved my hands away as I touched her arm. “Are you going to be like this the whole trip?”
“I am.” I saw the gash on her shoulder. “Who cut you?”
“No one cut me. I probably cut myself during one of the times I fought Jean-Pierre.”
My body vibrated with rage. I rose from the bed. “One of the times?!”
“Kaz, he tried not to hit me.”
“But he did hit you?”
“What could he do, take the ass whipping?”
The engine rumbled under the floor.
The pilot was lucky he followed my instructions. I definitely wanted to slap somebody.
“Come here and calm down,” she whispered. “I’m fine, and we’re leaving.”
I took another swig and returned to her on the bed. “I won’t calm down.”
“If I was one of your men—”
“You’re not.” I gathered her in my arms and set the vodka down. “You know you’re not.”
“I was working with a metaphor.”
“You’re strong, mysh.”
She opened her eyes and stared at me. “But?”
“There are no buts.”
“Are you sure?”
“You’re the strongest woman I know.” I ran my fingers through her hair. “And that’s a lot coming from me.”
She nodded. “Your sister is no punk.”
“And neither was my mother.” I inhaled her. My eyes watered. “You’re strong and. . .”
Her voice was low. “And?”
“And I want you in my life forever.”
“I already promised.”
I slipped my fingers along her face and stroked her soft skin. “Then, we should make it official.”
Those gorgeous fucking eyes had me transfixed. “I want you to be my wife. I’m tired of waiting.”
She grinned. “Have we waited?”
“I’ve been patient.”
“We haven’t even known each other for three months, Kaz.”
“Will it be three months soon? I don’t know. I feel like a year passed, the moment he took you from me.” I searched her face. “Are you telling me no?”
She opened her mouth.
“Yes or no?”
“It would always be yes, Kaz.”
“Would it?” I nipped her lips. “Would it always be yes with me?”
“Always.”
“Damn it, mysh.” I pressed my mouth against hers and drank my mouse in. “I knew the moment you were taken from me, that I had made so many mistakes.”
“You didn’t.”
“I should have married you.”
She gasped. “Uh. . .”
“And tell you I loved you more than I tried to cage you.”
She touched my face. “Kaz—”
“When you were gone, my world. . .it crumbled. . and the only thing that kept me standing, was that I knew you would come back to me. There could be no other way.”
“I didn’t stop believing either.”
“This can’t happen again.” I shook my head. “Never. I have to—”
“Don’t look back anymore, baby.” She kissed me. “We have so much going on with us.”
“We do.” I looked down at her stomach.
“Yes, Kaz. Yes.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You were going to mention a doctor.” She grinned.
“Okay. I was.”
“I’m ready.”
“Good, because a doctor will be at the house when we arrive.”
“I expected nothing less from my lion.”
“Good.” I held her in my arms, sinking deep into the pleasure of having her near me.
Dear God. Thank you. She’s back to me.
Emily gestured outside of our suite. “I saw my men at the airport, and even shooting at the mall. They helped you too?”
“They did a lot.” I gave her a weary grin. “They helped me tear this city up. And Blue worked her ass off.”
She cleared her throat.
“What?”
She took her time speaking. “When you talk about messing up Paris—”
“I’m serious.”
She bit her lip and tried again. “Can we talk further about this tomorrow?”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Maybe. . .since I was the one that was taken, I could think of the punishment.”
Intrigued, I asked. “What would your punishment be?”
“I need time to think about it.”
“No.” I shook my head. “The world is watching. Many know Jean-Pierre took you by now. Everyone needs to see what happens when they take my mouse.”
“I don’t want a war. Not for this.”
I laughed for the first time. Perhaps, the vodka had entered my bloodstream. “Are you insane, mysh? A war will come. The biggest one everybody has seen.”
“There’s no need to—”
“I’ve started wars for smaller reasons. I’ve killed families for a simple remark. This. . .” My teeth drummed with anger. “This will be a war. Something of legends.”
“No. Please.” Her voice stayed soft and low. “I get what you’re saying, but I understand what happened.”