Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“Good luck, Mikhail,” Viktor says, then the screen goes black.
I nod my head at Director Koslov. “Thank you for arranging the meeting.”
“You’re welcome.” The corner of his mouth lifts. “Now you can stop sneaking around.”
I smile at the director before I walk out of his office.
The meeting went much better than I expected, but I still have the problem of dealing with Aurora’s father.
When I walk into the warehouse, Alek comes running toward me. “Aurora’s freaking out. We can’t calm her down.”
Shit!
I break out into a sprint and weave my way through the crates. When I get to the aisle Aurora’s in, I see Instructor Yelena and Abbie trying to calm her down.
Aurora’s hyperventilating, clutching her chest while shaking her head. “C-can’t. C-c-can’t.”
“Out of my way,” I bark, and it has the two women scrambling to the sides as I kneel in front of Aurora. Framing her face, I force her to look at me. “I’m here, moy malen'kiy olen'.” I press my forehead against hers. “Breathe for me.”
Aurora’s eyes are locked on mine as if I’m the only thing standing between her and death. When I exhale over her lips, she desperately sucks the air in, the strangling sound I fucking hate straining through her throat.
“That’s it, Krasivaya. Another breath.”
Tears spiral down her cheeks, and using my thumbs, I brush them away.
She lets out a sputtering sob, then darts forward and throws her arms around my neck. I squash her petite body to me, pressing my hand against the back of her head.
“You’re doing so good, Krasivaya. Just focus on your breaths.”
She nods as she keeps sucking in air, and then she whimpers, “I’ll never get over this damn fear.”
With my free hand, I caress her back with soothing strokes. “You will. Be patient.”
When she finally calms down and pulls back, I tilt my head to catch her eyes. “Better?”
She nods before glancing at everyone who’s staring at us. Embarrassment makes a pink tinge creep up her neck.
I place my hand against her cheek, and when she locks eyes with me, I say, “I have good news.”
Her eyebrows draw together. “What?”
“Viktor gave his approval.”
Her eyes widen, and it takes a second, then a gorgeous smile spreads over her face. For a second time, she throws herself at me.
Chuckling, I hug the woman I’m free to love.
“Really? He said we can be together?”
I press a kiss to the side of her head. “Yes. There’s a condition, but we’ll talk about it later.” Grabbing the back of her neck, I pull her away from me, and then I kiss the fuck out of her, not caring that we have an audience.
“The shows over, people,” I hear Abbie shout. “Move. Give them some privacy.”
“You have five minutes,” Instructor Yelena says. “Get back to training!” she hollers at the group.
Pulling back, I stare into the eyes of the angel I’ve somehow managed to catch. “I get to love you for the rest of my life.”
“Misha,” she breathes, a look of awe washing over her face. “Thank you for fighting for us.”
Climbing to my feet, I help Aurora up before glancing at the crate. “What went wrong?”
Her shoulders slump, and she lets out a sigh. “You weren’t here.” My eyes snap to her face as she continues, “I got in with Abbie, and Alek closed up the crate. I didn’t even last a minute. The anxiety attack was instant.”
She turns away from me, and frustrated, she brushes some strands from her face.
Reaching for her arm, I pull her back to me. “Do you think you can get in again?”
Worry makes lines form on her forehead. “With you?”
“Yes. But I’ll have Alek seal the crate.”
“I just need a minute.”
Pride fills my chest because she’s so damn strong to try again right after an anxiety attack. “I’ll get Alek.”
I give Aurora the minute she needs, and when Alek joins us, I gesture at the crate. “Get in.”
She looks defeated, but she crawls into the tiny space. I sit down beside her and nod at Alek. “Seal the crate. Wait ten minutes before you open it again.”
“Got it.” Alek actually gives Aurora an encouraging smile, “You’ve got this, princess.”
She lets out a chuckle. “Thanks.”
We’re plunged into the darkness, and I strain my hearing to listen to Aurora’s breathing.
She’s still calm. Good.
“I have more good news,” I say.
“What?”
“Viktor canceled the hit on your family.”
I can feel Aurora looking in my direction, then she shrieks, “Really?”
“Yes,” I chuckle.
Somehow Aurora manages to move from a sitting position to kneeling. Her hand slaps against my jaw.
“Oops. Sorry.” The next second she presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“You missed the target,” I grumble.
Letting out a chuckle, she kisses me again, this time hitting the mark.
Instead of working through her anxiety issues, we make out until Alek removes the panel.
Reluctantly, Aurora breaks the kiss, then scowls at Alek. “You can seal the crate for another ten minutes.”