“You taunted me. I had to show you.”
“Whatever, Misha.”
“Now she knows I’m a pervert.”
I giggled. “She doesn’t.”
“Surely, she heard me smacking your ass.”
“God, I hope not.” I buried my face into my pillow.
“Damn you, Ava.” He captured me and pulled me to him. “Stop taunting my cock. Just admit that he’s your master and leave it alone. Then I wouldn’t have to show you the truth.”
“So, Humble Misha is still asleep?”
“For now.” He grinned.
I rested on his chest.
Silence took us over.
Music sounded off in the distance. A woman sang about love. My grandmother must’ve turned on the radio in the kitchen. Hopefully it wasn’t to flood the noise of sex out. A man’s voice rose over the actual singing, mumbling words in Russian.
I raised my head. “Is that your godfather singing?”
“Unfortunately.”
I lay back down. “He’s fun.”
“With him around, I may need to get more guards for Mrs. Jones.”
I drew a circle around the cross on his chest. It was becoming my favorite hobby. “So. . .”
He directed his view to me. “So?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Why must something be wrong?”
“Because you came here out of the blue. I knew I would see you today, but I didn’t think I would wake up to you in bed.”
He turned his view to the ceiling. “Let’s wait until my friend comes over. We can talk about it then.”
“He’s coming here?”
“Yes. If you don’t mind. He’ll help me size up any possible danger and—”
“What danger, Misha?” I stopped making circles.
“I think it would be better if I know the whole situation before saying anything.”
“Tell me what’s going on. I think it’s better if I’m up-to-date with you.”
“This is not dancing, Ava. This is men and guns and—”
“Tell me.” I left his chest and sat up.
“The Turgenev family is upset.”
“That’s one of the men’s families that you killed.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “What about the other families?”
“They don’t want any trouble with the Brotherhood.”
“But the Turgenevs don’t care.”
“Leonid Turgenev to be exact. He’s the man’s grandson and wants revenge.”
I swallowed.
“He hired a group of. . .I don’t know what you would call them. Maybe assassins?”
A chill ran up my spine. “Assassins?”
“Hired killers.”
I shook my head. “We have to get you out of here. We can go to New York or. . .my uncle down in New Orleans he could—”
“Ava, I don’t need to run. I only need to assess the situation and act accordingly.”
“Why are you so calm? This is scary as—”
“I told you that enemies aren’t a new thing for me.”
“Who is this friend that’s coming here? Would he be able to help you kill those assassins?”
He smirked.
“What?”
“You want to be a part of the planning committee?”
“Misha, I don’t think any of this is funny.” I left the bed and grabbed my pants. “I’m calling my uncle. Better yet, I’m going to have Grandma call him.”
“Wait.” He left the bed and stepped in front of me. “Ava, relax.”
My voice screeched. “Assassins?”
“Yes.”
“How many?”
“Maybe ten or thirteen.”
Terror filled me. “I’m calling my uncle!”
He caught my arm before I could walk off. “Don’t get your family involved. I also have a family.”
“And is Kazimir going to get involved with this?”
“Well. . .” Misha cleared his throat. “Kazimir may be upset with me right now.”
“Why?”
“It’s not necessary to explain—”
“Misha, stop trying to hide things from me. Why may Kazimir be mad?”
“I shot one of his men in the leg, but I’m sure the bullet went straight through.”
“You shot someone.” I widened my eyes. “When was this?”
“Yesterday. During the second act.”
I held my hands in the air. “Why did you shoot him? Was he trying to kill you or—”
“He wanted me to go to Paris with him, but I wanted to finish watching you dance.”
“Misha.” I kept my hands in the air. “What the fuck?”
“It’ll be fine.” He pulled me in and tried to kiss me.
I backed away. “We have to straighten all of this out right now. Can you just say sorry to the guy you shot? Would your cousin be okay after that?”
“It’s not about shooting his man. Kazimir wants me at his side.”
“Okay.”
“And I want to be next to you.”
Through the terror, my heart warmed. I tried to shake it away, but couldn’t. In the end, I wanted him next to me too. If only to keep him safe.
I let out a long breath. “Misha. . .”
“What? I know I fucked up. There are things in Paris I have to deal with. Other dilemmas.”
“More stuff?”
“Yes.”
“That’s why you were going to Paris this morning?”
“Yes, but then you were so warm and smelled so good.” He pulled me back to him. “Is it fair that I’m addicted to you? I’ve been dropping the ball on everything.”
“I don’t want you to drop any balls. Maybe. . .I can help somehow.”
“This is not ballet.”
“Try me.”
“One of the dilemmas deal with someone stealing Kazimir’s codes to nuclear weapons.”