Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 145(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 145(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
She gasped as the very man himself wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “You look deep in thought,” he said, pressing his lips to her neck.
She couldn’t help but smile. “How could you see me when I have my back to you?”
“You’re a smart-ass, but I can see it in the reflection in the window.” He kissed her neck. “Tell me what is troubling you.”
“No, you’re going to laugh at me.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
She sighed and then spun around in his arms and raised her brows at him. “Okay, fine, how about this? I’m afraid for you.”
And for the first time, since they had been married, so probably the first time ever, she watched as Bogdan found humor in what she had said.
“See, I told you, you were going to laugh.”
“Anastasia, baby, you do not have to worry about me.”
“Don’t do that, okay? It’s not fair and this is serious.” She let out a sigh. She had reached up to cup his face, and then she tried to step away, and he wrapped his arms around her, stopping her from leaving.
“I’m not going to let you go. Not when you feel like this. I’m here for you, Anastasia. I’m not laughing at you, or joking about this. I know what I am doing. I know who I am and what I’m capable of. You don’t have to be afraid.”
And yet, as she looked at him, she couldn’t help but feel the tears start to seep out of her eyes. “You can’t say that. You said yourself that your father was the best man for the job. He was the best, and yet he didn’t make it. Someone was able to get the better of him, and he died.”
“That is not going to happen to me.”
“You don’t know that.”
“My father didn’t have anyone to live for, but I’m not him, and guess what, I do. I have you to live for, and that is exactly what I am going to do. I’m going to live for you, always for you.”
Before she could say anything more, he pressed his lips against hers, silencing all form of protest with a single kiss.
Tears fell from her eyes, and then she pulled away, cupping his cheeks. “I can’t lose you.”
“You’re not going to. You’ve got me, Anastasia. You’ve got me for life.”
She stared into her husband’s eyes, and promised she would not make a fool of herself, yet she just couldn’t bring herself to stop.
The love she felt for him went beyond understanding. She knew he was a cold-blooded killer. A man who people had nightmares about because of what he was capable of doing, and yet none of that mattered to her.
She loved Bogdan. He had protected her when only her mother and Gustov had.
“I love you,” she said.
Bogdan looked at her and she didn’t know how long they both stood there, just staring at one another. She was not expecting anything from him. Their marriage had been a business deal. Nothing more, nothing less. They were together to keep the peace.
“I love you, Anastasia,” he said, and the moment he spoke those words, she couldn’t help but gasp.
“What?”
“I love you, and I promise, nothing is going to happen to me or you. We’re in this together, and I’m going to deal with your father.”
“Bogdan, you can’t do that!”
“Trust me, I can. First, I need to have a meeting with Gustov,” he said.
“Why?”
“He wants to talk to me. I don’t know what about, but if it means keeping you safe, then I’m going to do it.”
She looked at him, and there was something in his eye that told her he wasn’t happy. “What is it?”
“You don’t miss a thing, do you?” he asked.
“You’re my husband and I think it’s kind of my job to see when you’re unhappy.”
He smiled. It didn’t quite reach his eyes, but this was already huge for the two of them.
They were in love with each other. Anastasia knew this was a gift for both of them. They certainly hadn’t been pushed together through a love match. She just couldn’t believe it.
“The letter you had that stated your mother was paying money to your father…”
“Yeah, what about it?” Anastasia asked.
“He never got the money. It was being intercepted by an offshore account.”
“Owned by my father?” she asked.
“No, owned by someone else but I don’t know who that someone else is.”
She looked at him and then shook her head. “You’re kidding, right?” she asked.
“I have a feeling he’s behind it.”
“Gustov? No. There is no way.”
“Are you sure?”
She opened her mouth and then she couldn’t help but close it. “He’s the only one my mother trusted.”
“Yes, and yet, have you noticed she is no longer with you, as is all of her family? You’re the only person remaining.”