my lion had all grown up together. We didn’t know what would come from this meeting with Zahkar, but if things went dark, it would be best if Pavel was there.
King David had proven time and time again to be Kaz’s most trusted man. Therefore, David and his crew rode in separate cars and followed.
Hand-in-hand, we left the penthouse.
Above us, a storm thundered and boomed. Clouds grayed. A chilly breeze brushed by.
Kaz opened the limo door. “Are you sure you don’t need a nap, mysh?”
“How could I need a nap with all the excitement happening? We may be done with this whole mystery.” I climbed inside. “What is this place that Zahkar is at?”
“It’s a gentlemen’s club called, Crystal Heaven.”
“A strip club?” I checked my watch. “Lunch barely finished and he’s already there.”
“In Moscow, many business transactions are carried out in gentlemen’s clubs.”
I scowled at him. “Make sure you carry your business out in one of your many offices.”
“Hmmm.” He climbed in and shut the door. “No more strip clubs for me?”
“Not female ones.”
He opened his mouth in shock. “Mysh, are you saying I’m only allowed to go in clubs where the men are the dancers?”
“Basically.”
“I will not.”
“Fine by me.”
He laughed.
The limo sped off.
Kaz put his arm around me.
I smirked. “Maxwell will be pissed that he’s missing a strip club visit.”
“I’ve heard that Max and David have gone to enough clubs this week.”
“That sounds like my Max.” I leaned against Kaz’s hard, muscular body.
The world outside the limo darkened as the storm picked up. Although early, the streetlights came on. Further out, fog slithered and twirled around the cars.
I relished the comfort of Kaz’s arms.
“Mysh?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve been thinking. You are my strength.”
“Of course I am. I would die for you.”
“No. You don’t die for me. I die for you.”
“How about we do everything to live?” I motioned to my stomach. “Since we have someone depending on us.”
He kissed my cheek. “Fair point.”
I grinned. “However let’s go back to you saying that I’m your strength.”
“You are and because of that I’m going to give you control of the questioning with Zahkar.”
I widened my eyes. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve always believed in signs. Always looked to the universe for deeper meanings and guidance. Now. . .I believe you are here for me. You’re my guidance. My finder of truth. And you’re more than just the gorgeous woman that warms my heart or the woman who will give me beautiful children.”
“Children?”
“You are the one that finds the snakes and brings them to their knees.”
“That’s a position I would love. Anybody that’s after you, I want to get rid of.”
He studied me. Love filled those eyes. “This is new for me. I’m not used to having such a sexy and loyal protector.”
“You do have men that will die for you. Not all of them are disloyal.”
“True. But they serve me to a certain point, mysh. You. . .you are more than my partner-in-crime. More than my lover. More than a girlfriend, or even a wife-to-be. More than the mother of my child.” He pulled me closer to him. “What can I call you? What would be the word that could define what you truly are to me?”
My heart warmed. “When you find out that word, let me know. I’ll need to use it for you as well.”
“Today, I’ll do something that is very difficult for me.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ll give you more control than ever before. Let you. . .stand on the frontline more.”
“I’ll be safe.”
He frowned. “You better be. I can’t live without you.”
I lay within his arms, knowing that this would be a major sacrifice for him. And due to that, I would bend to his will even more. He wanted me out of trouble. He needed me around his men, protected and telling him all my steps. From this day on, I would do as he asked, understanding that it wasn’t just about possession—it was all out of love.
Still leaning against his chest, I looked up at him. “What does Zahkar mean?”
“The remembrance of God.”
“And what do people call him in the brotherhood?”
“The Colonel. He barks at his men like one. And he always wanted to join the military, but his mother forbid it.”
“Do you think Zahkar shares his father’s feelings toward black people?”
“I hope not. I never saw any of that sort of behavior from him, when we grew up. Not that there were many black people around us in Siberia.”
“And not in Prague either?”
“Not that I remember.” He landed a soft kiss against