Total pages in book: 172
Estimated words: 155984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Mitya sighed. “That sounds like a good plan. Ania was excited to meet her tonight. She has always been interested in how the trees and brush were developed on the properties.”
“I’m particularly grateful for the underground tunnel her grandfather came up with,” Sevastyan said, allowing tiredness to edge his voice. “I’ve been doing some exploring and found two other escape routes, Mitya. They need work. One has partially collapsed and needs to be reopened, but it leads to the main road. It comes out several miles above a neighbor’s vineyard, very close to the exit leading to the freeway. At the time the escape tunnel was constructed, there was no way of knowing a major highway would be put in right there, but it worked out nearly perfectly.”
“You have to be careful,” Mitya said, narrowing his eyes at his cousin. “You take too many chances, Sevastyan. Those tunnels could collapse completely and you could be buried alive in them without any of us knowing you’re down there.”
Fyodor and Sevastyan exchanged an amused look with Gorya. “You sound like an old hen, Mitya,” Fyodor cautioned. “Always worried.”
Mitya glared at him. “The tunnel did collapse, you cretins. Someone has to think for you. None of you think in terms of safety. Those tunnels are fifty years old. Who knows how they were constructed? They need major renovations before they can be used.”
Sevastyan hid a smile. “Mitya is right. I’m being careful. I’ve got someone I trust, an engineer, looking them over. We’re shoring the tunnels up and then retrofitting them section by section. I have no intentions of being buried alive, but I think having ways for us to exit our homes without being seen, or traveling between the two properties without being seen, are major advantages for us.”
“I have to agree,” Mitya said. “But, for now, I think you need to get your woman home. You look tired, Sevastyan, and that’s a rare thing.”
Fyodor nodded. “I have to agree. You’re working too hard. Maybe you should take a little time off. Turn over Mitya’s security to Gorya for a week or two. Let him handle it while you see to Flambé. You’ve been renovating your home and working long hours for some time now. Give yourself some time off.”
Mitya nodded. “I think that would be a good idea.”
Sevastyan pushed himself away from the table as he rose. “I’ll think about it.” He turned away from his cousins. The men in this room were his family—the ones he cared most about in the world—the ones he could count on. He could hear the affection in their voices, the genuine concern. He did his best to stay apart—emotion didn’t work when one was a bodyguard—but it was difficult when these men were all he had.
Now, apart from Gorya, each of them had found a woman. Fyodor had Evangeline. She was amazing. Sevastyan had done his best to keep his distance, but it was difficult when she was so genuine. Then Timur had fallen hard for Ashe. That had been unexpected. Like Sevastyan, Timur was a bodyguard, and he took protecting Fyodor seriously. Mitya had found Ania on the side of the road in a rainstorm. She had a flat tire and he had stopped to help her, against Sevastyan’s advice. Mitya had ignored the head of his security as usual, and this time, it had turned out to be a very good thing. Ania was amazing for Mitya. She suited him perfectly. Sevastyan could only hope that Flambé would suit him just as well as the other women matched his cousins.
Ania and Flambé were in the drawing room, both seated beside the warmth of the evening fire. It was on low, and the two had their chairs close and were talking in soft voices when Sevastyan strode in. He saw Flambé’s gaze jump to his face. He could see her instant relief in his presence. She was glad to see him, but there was wariness too, as if she was uncertain what to do.
He held out his hand to her. She rose and crossed the room to him, but she didn’t take his hand. “Did Ania take good care of you?” He bent to brush a kiss across her temple. “I tried not to be too long.”
Ania joined them as well. “I really enjoyed meeting Flambé,” she said. “Thanks for bringing her over, Sevastyan. She knows so much about plants. Indoor and outdoor.”
“I had a good time,” Flambé added.
“Good. You look like a sleepy kitten.” He wrapped his arm around her and brought her under his shoulder, up close to his body, a claiming move, a bit proprietary, waiting for her to stiffen or object. She did neither, but she didn’t settle or relax against him either.
“Thanks, Ania. Flambé is important to me.” Sevastyan wanted to make that very clear. “She had a traumatic day.”