Bound by Love (Russian Connection 2)
“Then why are we dawdling?”
“Huntley, wait.” Herrick reached out to grasp Stefan’s arm. “It could be a trap.”
“I do not care.”
Yanking away from Herrick’s grip, Stefan dug his heels into his horse to send him bolting down the street to the warehouse. He had not lied. If Dimitri Tipova knew anything of Leonida’s disappearance then he would risk any trap to discover the truth. What meaning did his life have without the woman he loved?
Passing through the broken gates, Stefan was charging across the paved yard when the door to the warehouse was shoved open and a small, golden-haired woman stepped into the fading light.
“Leonida.”
Not waiting for his horse to come to a halt, Stefan leaped from the saddle, running toward Leonida the moment his feet hit the ground. He absently noted that the door to the warehouse had been closed behind Leonida and that Herrick and his guards had spread out to ensure that no one could approach without warning. A wise precaution that he was delighted to leave in Herrick’s capable hands. His only concern was the beautiful woman who walked toward him with an uncertain expression.
“Stefan?”
At last reaching her side, Stefan ran desperate hands over her body, frantic to assure himself that she was not injured.
“Are you hurt?”
“I am fine.”
Gripping her shoulders, his anxious gaze seared over her upturned face. “You are certain?”
“Quite certain.”
The vicious tightness clenching his chest eased as he at last accepted she was safe.
“What happened?” he rasped. “How did you get here?”
“Josef appeared in the garden and forced me into his carriage.” She grimaced, but it was more a gesture of aggravation rather than lingering fear. “I do wish people would stop doing that.”
His fingers instinctively tightened on her shoulders, his gaze turning toward the warehouse.
“I will kill the bastard.”
Her hands lifted to press against his chest, genuine fear flashing through her beautiful eyes.
“No, Stefan. It is too dangerous.”
His brows snapped together. Did she not comprehend his primitive need to punish any man foolish enough to threaten her?
“He cannot be allowed to escape,” he snarled.
“I would bet my entire fortune he has long since disappeared. Besides, I have assured you he did me no harm.”
“He kidnapped you.”
“Only to bring me here so I could meet with Dimitri Tipova,” she said, as if that excused the bastard. “I will admit that I was frightened, but he did nothing to hurt me.”
His brows snapped together. “Why would Dimitri Tipova wish to meet with you?”
“He wanted me to know that Sir Charles is dead.”
Stefan sucked in a sharp breath. During the long, harrowing afternoon, he had been ravaged with thoughts of Leonida being in the hands of Sir Charles.
Now a sharp, biting relief raced through him.
He could not bear the thought of Leonida enduring more anguish.