Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
“Me being an assassin wasn’t a big enough bomb?”
“Crap, I forgot about that,” I chuckle. “Now I feel better.”
He shakes his head as if he can’t believe half the shit that comes out of my mouth.
We stop at a men's store for Max to get a suit for the wedding, and I make him try on a couple just so I can have a show. The man could easily be a model.
Once Max decides on a charcoal-colored suit that brings out the light green of his eyes, we head back to the SUV to put the bags inside the trunk before we continue with the shopping trip.
“I don’t see any stores with formal dresses,” I voice my worry.
Max pulls me into a convenience store while pressing a kiss to my temple. “Let me take care of the dress.”
I roll my eyes at him. “I need to make a good impression on Nikolai, seeing as he’s your only friend.”
“Just trust me. I’ll get you the most beautiful dress there is.” He gestures at the toiletries aisle. “Get what you need.”
I grab bottles of shampoo and conditioner and say, “I don’t even have perfume. Maybe I should stay at the cabin. No one knows I’m there. I’ll be fine alone.”
Max shakes his head and gives me a look of warning. “You’re coming with me. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
I get everything I need, and as we walk to the snacks aisle, I ask, “What does Nikolai do for a living?”
“That’s a story for a less public place.”
My eyebrow lifts as I help myself to my favorite pretzels and chips. “Is it the same as you?”
Max just shakes his head, and as a man walks down the aisle, he moves in front of me as if he’s trying to hide me from the man’s view.
God, I like this possessive side of him.
I let out a sigh because I’m screwed if things don’t work out between Max and me. No man will ever hold a candle to him.
Chapter 25
Max
“Are you sure the dress will be there?” Cami asks for the tenth time.
“Relax, baby,” I murmur as I check for any messages on my phone. “Your dress is already there.”
Suddenly her eyes widen. “I forgot all about it. You haven’t told me what Nikolai does for a living.”
I didn’t forget. I was trying to put it off for as long as possible.
Cami hasn’t freaked out about anything thus far. Let’s hope my lucky streak continues.
“Nikolai’s last name is Vetrov,” I say while I reach for her hand. “His family are blood diamond smugglers.”
“Diamonds?”
Trust my woman to only hear that word.
I let out a chuckle. “They sell diamonds on the black market.
“Okay. That’s not as bad as I thought it would be.”
“There’s more.”
Her eyes widen with curiosity.
“Nikolai’s cousin is the head of the bratva, Viktor Vetrov. His godfather is the director of St. Monarch’s, and his uncle is the best assassin there’s ever been, although he is retired. I’ve never been able to break his record.”
“Jesus. Suddenly I’m glad you don’t have a massive family of criminals.”
“They are my family. I work for the bratva as well, Cami.”
“You’re taking me into a den of vipers,” she sighs. “Let’s hope I make a good first impression.”
“They won’t hurt you. The Vetrovs don’t approve of hurting women. It’s the one thing they don’t allow.”
Relief washes over her beautiful face. “Thank God. Still, will I be the only person there who hasn’t committed a crime?”
You have. You stole my heart.
Slowly, I nod. “But you’ll be safe there. Besides St. Monarch’s, the Vetrovs’ island is the safest place for you.”
The pilot announces that we’re starting our descent, and it has Cami looking out the window. Her hand grips mine, and she holds on tightly.
Earlier, I learned she’s not a fan of flying.
I turn my hand over and link our fingers. “By the way, I got you a purple dress.”
“What?” she gasps. “You’re kidding, right?”
“I think the fabric is chiffon,” I add.
“Oh my God, Max. No one with fashion sense wears chiffon.”
The private jet I hired from St. Monarch’s touches down on the island. “Just kidding. I wanted to distract you while we landed.”
Relief washes over her features, and she smacks my chest. “Ugh, don’t ever joke about clothes, especially not dresses.”
When the plane comes to a stop, we unbuckle our safety belts and stand up. Cami stretches before she walks to the door. Taking hold of her hand, we exit the aircraft.
Nikolai is waiting with a huge smile on his face, and I have to let go of Cami’s hand so I can give him a brotherly hug.
“Blyadʹ, it’s good to see you,” he chuckles. “It’s been too long.”
I pull back and wrap my arm around Cami’s lower back before I say, “Cami, meet Nikolai. He’s one of the reasons I’m guarding you.”