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  “Who?” Belinda froze, her gaze on Alena.

  “Two people, actually. Probably working together. Patrick Millings and Bill Dayton.”

  Belinda shuddered. Pat and Bill? Shit. That totally unnerved her. Her mind raced back over the past two weeks to the number of times she’d been in a car with either or both of those men. Hell, she’d almost gotten in a car with Patrick this morning. Alone. Shit. No way. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. Unfortunately. Millings was the only agent who knew where you were, or at least where he thought you were.”

  “And Bill? Him too?”

  “Can’t be sure, but we hauled them both in for questioning. They’ve been partners for a long time. It’s probable they were both involved.”

  “Shit.” She couldn’t wrap her mind around this development.

  “Yes.”

  “What about the guy who drove me there? Patel. Couldn’t it be him?”

  “No.” Taylor sighed. “He was the one person I totally trusted. My gut was screaming at me this morning. That’s why I called Millings and told him to have Patel take you. Millings knew exactly where you were going.

  “I’ve worked with Millings and Dayton for almost a year. But I’ve known Eshan Patel for eight years. Guy’s solid. And thank God he was on the scene. I’m not sure where Millings might have taken you if he’d gotten his hands on you today. The stakes were high. If he’s deep in Yenin’s pocket, at some point he would have totally gone rogue.”

  Belinda struggled to breathe. That information slammed into her hard. “Now what?”

  “They’re in custody. They’ll probably lie low refusing to speak for a while until a judge orders them to, but at least you don’t have to worry about them getting in your way any longer.”

  A shiver raced down Belinda’s entire body. Jesus. It was impossible to think of those two working for Yenin.

  And Nikolav is going to go ballistic.

  “I’m bringing the guys a phone so they can contact you. Expect a call in a while.”

  “Okay.” She glanced at Alena, preparing to repeat everything she’d heard. “When can I get out of here?”

  “Soon. I’ll arrange something and let you know.”

  »»•««

  Pounding on the door to Nikolav’s apartment made him jump from his spot on the couch at the same time Ivan did. Both men darted for the door, but Nikolav won the right to look through the peephole.

  Leo.

  Nikolav unarmed the alarm, unlocked the door, and whipped it open. His heart pounded. It was two in the morning.

  “The safe house was raided,” Leo raced to tell, his breath ragged from exertion as he stepped into the apartment with Katie at his side.

  Nikolav was close to exploding when Leo lifted a hand, palm out. “The women weren’t in it.”

  “What?”

  “They weren’t there. The agent you saw drove Belinda to a fake safe house this morning, left her there, and moved on. Alena was taken to another location. Taylor met Belinda at the first house. It was a set-up. She moved her to catch up with Alena after the seed was planted.”

  “What seed?” Ivan asked.

  Nikolav looked back and forth between Sergei and Ivan. He was close to exploding. “She suspected that agent? Patel or whatever his name was? Why the fuck would she send Belinda in his car alone if she thought he was the mole?”

  Leo shook his head. “Not at all. It wasn’t him. It was Patrick Millings.”

  “Patrick?” Nikolav shouted. “You can’t be serious. I’ve spoken to him so many times. He and his partner, Bill. He was there this morning.”

  “Yeah well, both are in custody. Probably been working together for Yenin. Taylor went with her gut when she pulled Patrick from transportation duty and sent Belinda with Patel.”

  “How does she know it was them?”

  “She trusted Patel implicitly. And no one besides Millings knew where Belinda was except the police stationed to take down whoever came for her. According to Taylor, Patrick and Bill were looking rather guilty. They were Taylor’s primary suspects because they’ve had the most access to Belinda and seemed the most likely to have been privy to the amount of information they must have shared with Yenin.”

  “You knew this was going to happen, didn’t you?”

  Leo nodded again. “Yes. I’m sorry. I wasn’t at liberty to share what I knew with you.”

  Nikolav sighed. “Sorry I doubted you.”

  “You were right. I would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed.” He wrapped his arm around Katie. “If Katie disappeared to a safe house and I thought you had information on it, I would probably beat your face to a pulp to get it out of you.”

  Nikolav tried to smile. This was true.

  He rubbed his temples.

  “Unfortunately both men presumably sent by Yenin to retrieve Belinda were killed at the scene, so we have no way to connect them back to Yenin. If there were others, they fled the scene.”

  “Who was watching the fake safe house?”

  “SWAT.”

  Nikolav nodded.

  Ivan cleared his throat. “Where are Alena and Belinda now?”

  “Safe.”

  “That one word is suddenly sounding like an oxymoron lately,” Nikolav proclaimed.

  Leo chuckled. “One word can’t really be an oxymoron, you know.”

  “That one is.”

  “I see your point.” Leo sobered. “They were moved to a real safe house. One that’s being guarded by two sets of FBI agents brought in from another city. None of the four of them were privy to the exact happenings here in Chicago. And their sole job is to guard that house.”

  “You do realize that doesn’t make me feel better, right?” Nikolav asked.

  “No shit,” Ivan said.

  Nikolav wondered what Mikhail would say if he were there instead of Haley’s apartment. “You tell Mikhail?”

  “Heading there next.” Leo pulled a phone out of his pocket and handed it to Nikolav. It was an older-model flip phone.

  Nikolav stared at it as if it were from another dimension.

  Leo gave it a shake. “It’s a burner. Her number’s programmed into it. Use it. Talk to her. Give it to Ivan. Let him talk to Alena.”

  Nikolav took a deep breath and reached for the phone. He lifted a brow at Ivan. Ivan nodded. “You go first.”

  Leo hugged Katie tighter. “They’re safe. I swear. Please believe me. I trust my contact.”

  Nikolav nodded, and then he turned and left the room to make his call in the privacy of his own bedroom.

  When he entered, he shut the door quietly behind him and wandered aimlessly toward the window. He opened the phone, pushed several buttons to engage the only number programmed into it, and then leaned against the windowsill to wait while it rang.

  It rang four times before the sweetest voice on the planet responded. “Hello?”

  “Baby.” He nearly choked on emotion.

  “Nikolav.” She sighed. “I’m so sorry. Please don’t be mad.”

  “Sweetheart, I’m not mad.”

  She gave a short giggle. “Sure. Right.”

  “Well, I was. But not at you.”

  “That’s good. Because I didn’t do this to hurt you. When we were standing on that porch, I needed everyone around us to think I’d kicked you to the curb. I did it to keep you safe.”

  “Me?”

  “Yeah, you.”

  “I think I can handle myself.” He didn’t want to sound like an ass, but he also didn’t believe Yenin could get the better of him in a duel.

  “You know this isn’t about just you.”

  He sighed, setting his forehead on the window pane. “Yeah.”

  “My family…” Her voice was choked.

  “I know, baby. I know. I’m so sorry. You did the right thing.”

  “It’s safer if Yenin doesn’t think I’m in the picture anymore. He needs to think I quit my job, left you, and went to another city.”

/>   “Belinda. No way can I let you do this. I won’t be able to rest a single moment while you’re God knows where.” His voice rose. He couldn’t help it. He needed her back at his side.

  “Nikolav—”

  “Belinda… This is hard for me. I don’t like you out of my sight. I don’t like trusting your safety to a stranger. I don’t like…”

  “What?” she whispered after a pause. “What else don’t you like?”

  “I don’t like you not in my bed.”

  “I don’t like that part, either. I’m lonely. And Alena…”

  “Yeah, I know Alena. Is she okay?”

  “She will be.”

  “Ivan’s pretty pissed. He punched a hole in the wall at Katie’s clinic.”

  Belinda giggled, a little louder than last time. He loved that sound. “I bet Mikhail had a field day with that one.”

  “Why would you say that?” he teased. “It’s not his clinic.”

  “Ha. Was he surprised to find out his sister’s interested in Ivan? Or more importantly that Ivan’s interested in Alena?”

  “Not sure. Surely he already knew.”

  “Maybe.”

  A few seconds of silence passed. “Belinda…”

  “Yeah.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” Her voice was soft. Gentle. With a hint of tears.

  “But you can’t stay there.”

  “Nikolav—”

  “I don’t like it. There are a lot of things I can tolerate, but this isn’t one of them.” Nikolav blew out a long breath, running his free hand through his hair.

  “Nikolav—”

  “I’m not going to back down on this. I can’t. It’s completely out of my comfort zone.”

  “Nik—”

  “Belinda, no.”

  “Will you shut up a second and let me speak?”

  He sighed.

  “I’m not staying here.”

  “Belinda— Wait, what?”

  “I’m leaving in ten minutes.”

  “To go where?”

  “Home. You gonna meet me there?”

  He couldn’t breathe. Was she for real? “Taylor’s gonna let you leave?”

  “She doesn’t have a choice. I only consented to this to set up the mole. Or moles as it turns out. I still can’t wrap my head around it. Bill? And Patrick? Seriously?”

  Nikolav ignored her change of subject as he spun around to find his shoes. “It’s late. Someone’s driving you home?”

  “Yeah.” Her voice was softer again. “Couldn’t have slept alone in a strange place. But I need you to realize something.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It would be far more prudent for me to stay here. And you know it.”

  “I know. You’re right. But I still can’t tolerate it.”

  “As long as you recognize I’m right.”

  He chuckled. “Do you know how often I’m going to concede you’re right about something?”

  “Just this one time?”

  “Probably.”

  “Yeah, well, consider this,” she hesitated for effect, and then continued on a whisper, “there will be other times in the future when I’m right again. And you’ll get over yourself and continue loving me just like this time.”

  He smiled. His throat burned. Tears weren’t his thing, but why did she have to be so damn cute and funny?

  “Nikolav?”

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “You need to give the phone to Ivan. Alena’s probably freaking out.”

  “I know.” The burn ran down into his chest. They would live through this. They would. And they would be stronger for it. “And I meant what I said.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I love you.” Those weren’t words he’d ever used with a woman before tonight. And they got easier each time he spoke them.

  “I know. I love you too. If you pass the phone to Ivan, I’ll be that much closer to seeing you.”

  “I’ll meet you at your place?”

  “Yes.”

  “’K. See you soon.”

  He opened the door to his bedroom, found Ivan pacing the living room, and handed the man the phone without cutting the call. “It’s still connected.”

  Ivan nodded, put the phone to his ear, and headed down the hall to his own bedroom.

  Nikolav took a moment to breathe and pull himself together. He was going to see her. Tonight. Now. Soon.

  He was in love with Belinda Gallo.

  She was his.

  They would get through this.

  And they’d have the rest of their lives together.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Belinda smiled into her pillow as a warm hand snaked around her middle and smoothed its way up her naked belly to cup her breast. “Mmm.” She should be tired. But her body came alive immediately.

  Nikolav nibbled a path up her arm, across her shoulder, and up her neck. He kissed the sensitive spot behind her ear and then sucked gently on the skin.

  “Vampire,” she muttered.

  He chuckled low and deep, and then his mouth continued to explore.

  “What time is it? How long was I asleep?”

  “It’s early. You can sleep when we turn ninety. Until then, I’d rather spend my time awake.”

  She giggled into the pillow. “I don’t think I can operate on so little sleep. It’s been what? Two hours?”

  “Maybe. About that. But I couldn’t sleep. I keep staring at your body, unable to keep from touching you to make sure you’re still here. I lost ten years off my life yesterday when you were inside your cousin’s house.”

  “Mmm. I should have called my parents.”

  “They’ll understand.”

  “You think Yenin has men watching us outside right now?”

  “Maybe. But he’s got to be running low on hired help by now.”

  “God, I hope so.” She arched her chest and sucked in a sharp breath when he lightly pinched her nipple.

  “Baby,” he began, his fingers still dancing across her breasts, circling her nipples and teasing them into submission.

  “Hmm?”

  “I need you to let me do something.”

  “What’s that?” she mumbled, most of her attention focused on her breasts.

  “Spank you.”

  That got her attention.

  “I know you’ve never been spanked before. And I get that. But I need the release.”

  “What does that even mean, Nikolav? It sounds…abusive. Why would someone feel the need to hit another person? It scares me.” She twisted her body, landing on her back to look up at him. There was enough light streaming in between the slats of the blinds to illuminate his face. He looked so serious.

  He shook his head. “It’s not about hitting. The purpose isn’t to hurt you. The purpose is to dominate you. If you offer your bottom to me… If you willingly let me spank your sensitive skin, it’s a sign of submission. It will give us both an incredible release. A euphoria you can’t imagine until you try it.”

  She clenched her legs together and pursed her lips, hating the traitorous way her body responded to his tone. His words. The way he looked at her, as if she hung the moon. He wasn’t angry. He simply wanted her to give him this gift.

  But would it be enough? What if she didn’t like it? What if she hated it and it was important to him?

  She’d known this day was coming. He’d mentioned it often. And he’d been patient with her every night, taking care to make sure she felt cherished every time they had sex. Even though he was dominating her, he was holding back.

  Eventually she needed to take this step. For him. Maybe for herself. And then they would know. “Okay.” She breathed out the one word of consent softly.

  He flinched. “Yeah? Okay?”

  “Yes.”

  “I promise you won’t regret it.”

  “Mmm. We’ll see.”

  “Safe word?”

  “Red.” She smiled. “Pretty sure I
won’t forget it, but just so you know, I expect stop, don’t, and fuck you to also work in a pinch.”

  He grinned. “Fair enough.” He let the tips of his fingers dance across her nipples again. And then he pushed himself to sitting and scooted back until he could lean against the headboard with several pillows at his back. “Come here.” He reached out with a hand as she rolled onto her stomach and crawled toward him.

  She trembled. Nerves ate at her. She could do this. This was Nikolav. He would never hurt her. Would he?

  He hauled her up next to him with his hands at her waist and searched her eyes. “Trust me.”

  “Okay.”

  And then he shocked her by turning her to the side and angling her across his thighs so her ass was presented front and center. She had no idea what position he had intended to spank her in, but this wasn’t it.

  So exposed.

  “Elbows by your head, baby.” His hand landed on her lower back and stroked her skin, up and down her spine and across her butt cheeks. “Brace yourself on them.”

  She wormed her arms up to bend them and rest her forearms next to her face. She couldn’t breathe.

  “Relax, baby. I’ll start easy.”

  She couldn’t respond. Did she need to?”

  For long minutes, he massaged her cheeks, squeezing and molding them until he lulled her into a calmer state of mind. This was Nikolav. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. She knew he needed to dominate her. She got that. She’d given him everything she could to accommodate that need. And she’d loved every second of it for the past week. But this…

  Suddenly his hand lifted off her ass and landed on one cheek with a light smack.

  She flinched, sucking in a sharp breath. It didn’t hurt, though. Just shocked her.

  He did it again. Another swat to the other cheek. Lightly. Nothing like what she expected. And then he smoothed his hand over the skin and rubbed it. “You okay, baby?”

  “Yes.”

  His palm lifted again, and he swatted her three times quickly, harder than the first two, but not enough to hurt. She felt the sting, but what shocked her was how her pussy reacted. Each time his hand landed on her sensitive skin, she felt the vibrations in her clit.

  Jesus.

  She found herself wanting him to do it again.

  And he didn’t disappoint her. Several more spanks landed on her butt, some higher and some lower. The ones that struck at the junction of her thighs and her ass cheeks made her more aware of her pussy than the higher ones.