After a long day at work, I head home. We've moved out of Declan's one-bedroom to a small cabin that we're renting. It's quaint, newly built, but perfect for the two of us.
It is also just across the river, next door to Jaxson Monroe. He's got a top-notch surveillance and alarm system hooked up; if anything happens, he's one of the first to know.
But it's been quiet, tranquil, and almost too perfect. There's a river not too far from the property and a forest surrounding the vicinity.
I never thought I'd like the remoteness, but the thought of the bustling city makes my stomach flop. This has indeed become home.
"How was your day?" Anton asks as I slip out of my shoes and leave my purse and keys by the front door. I lock up the house, making sure that no one uninvited can enter. It's more out of habit than anything else.
There's been no sign of the FBI sniffing around or the bratva, aware of our whereabouts. Although, talking with Madisyn today does make me feel restless. A definite sign of anxiousness.
"Good. I spoke with Madisyn today." I stalk into the kitchen to help with dinner.
Anton is at the counter chopping vegetables on a wood cutting board. He pauses at the mere mention of Madisyn.
"As in Mikhail's Madisyn?" He glances up, unamused by my confession.
"I wanted her to hear our side of what happened, minus Nikita killing Dmitri."
Anton snorts under his breath. "I'll bet that went well."
"Better than I thought. She didn’t hang up on me," I say. "And maybe it'll get the ball rolling regarding Mikhail moving on from what happened."
"Hasn't he already?" Anton asks.
"Mikhail not tracking us down, doesn't mean he's forgotten about us. His resources are more limited than even he'd like to admit."
He returns to chopping up the vegetables harder and faster. I watch him, not wanting to interrupt, fearing that he'll slice his finger. I wait until he reaches for another carrot before speaking.
"All that aside, I wanted Madisyn and Mikhail to know Agent Danvers is dirty."
"Why?" Anton asks. "What difference does that make?"
"You don't think the bratva will retaliate when they find out an FBI agent is intentionally planting evidence. They destroyed your reputation. Who's to say that they won't do the same to Mikhail? And they've already infiltrated his organization twice. It won't be another female agent if they do so again."
He pauses momentarily before he continues chopping the carrot. "Point taken."
Our lives have become quite domesticated, living together. "Anyway, I hope that with Mikhail focusing on Agent Danvers, his resources will be thinner, and we will remain untouched."
"Mikhail isn't going to find us out here," Anton says. "You and I both know we're safe."
I hope he's right, but I can't help but worry. "The FBI is still out there, searching for us."
"Yes, but it's been weeks since our pictures have been on the news, and you, kitten, look nothing like your photo."
It's a relief how easily we'd been able to mask our appearances and take on new identities with the help of Eagle Tactical.
Anton is now Jason Wilde, and I'm Mia Hawkins.