Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,111

had the time to make fresh bread and doubted it’d taste as good as whatever the local market offered. He wanted the best for Addy. “I want to show you my homes.”

“I’d like that,” she whispered. “I heard your mountain retreat Zoey and Gage and Jesse saw was pretty cool.”

“Ah, yes. It was one of the first I purchased. The wilderness reminded me of you, the times we’d wander around in the woods and pretend we weren’t in that vile camp.”

“Those years we spent together got me through after you left. I never would’ve made it out of there whole if you hadn’t been there.”

An ache resided in his stomach. “I hated not being able to return there and get you out.”

Addy grabbed him by the waist and shifted him to face her. She stroked his jaw. “Don’t ever blame yourself for not coming back. You’re lucky you survived at all.”

“That’s a debt I’ll never be able to repay to Maksim.”

“We’ll figure out a way to repay him.” Addy smiled. “You’d best feed me before I haul you back to bed.”

Kristof chuckled. She was an insatiable lover and he looked forward to exploring every fantasy and desire they had.

Kristof closed the back door and headed into the darkened back yard of the safe house. Returning to Olaf and the world Kristof had temporarily left behind had been more difficult than he expected. The two days he’d shared with Addy at his cabin were spectacular.

He’d been surprised when she’d called her team and said her goodbyes to them via cellphone rather than return to see them off. While Kristof was glad they’d had the added time together, he hoped that her decision didn’t cause problems for her later on.

No. Her team and everyone at The Arsenal cared for Addy. They’d understand.

Maksim sat on the ground with his legs crossed. He sat before his friend.

“You look well. Relaxed.” Maksim settled his hands on his legs. “And Addy?”

“She’s amazing.” Kristof grinned, unable to hide the happiness filling him. “How is Olaf?”

“He’s asleep. He was nervous without you around at first, but he’s adjusted well and is doing much better than he was.”

“Good. I was hoping that was the case when you didn’t phone me.” Kristof looked around. “This place feels empty without all of Addy’s associates here. Have they contacted you?”

“Edge and Jesse helped me assess the Sidorav assets today.” Maksim locked gazes with him. “I shared our initial plan. They made a few suggestions based on what they found via HERA. The new plan will maintain everyone’s territories and power positions. It will be as though the Sidorav syndicate never existed. No ripple effect through the other organizations.”

“I’m surprised The Arsenal would help with this.”

Maksim shrugged. “Their help now will likely prevent their involvement later. They’re also privy to more intel than any government authorities in the world. They understand why we must divide the syndicate operations rather than simply let everyone fight for them.”

“And Gavriil?”

“He seized the monetary assets and the human trafficking. He’ll disband the latter and secure the regions Kostya preyed on to prevent anyone else from targeting them. The Arsenal has offered to help with that endeavor.” Maksim shifted positions, stretching his left leg out. “He’s suggested we give the weapons trade to Fatima and her father. They’re far less radical than most of the other options.”

Fatima’s father had been rescued by The Arsenal and was healing better than expected. Kristof needed to speak with them both and discuss increasing their security measures to prevent future attacks, but it’d wait until they’d both sufficiently recovered from their ordeals.

“Agreed.” Kristof rubbed his aching shoulder. “I never expected to see this day.”

“Nor did I.”

“We never spoke about what your plans were for once this was over,” Kristof said. “Will you come with me?”

“You’re staying there. That doesn’t surprise me, though I suspect it will be an uphill battle to prove yourself to that crew.”

“She’s worth it.”

“That she is.” Maksim’s face softened. “She’s a remarkable woman. I see now why you love her so deeply.”

Kristof tightened. Love. The foreign sentiment weighed heavily on him. He was equal parts terrified and euphoric over the fact he’d fallen for Addy so quickly. “We aren’t ready for that and won’t be until I’ve proven myself worthy of her. There’s still much to be done to right some of the wrongs I’ve committed.”

“You’ve kept the scales more balanced than you realize. Perhaps in time you will forgive yourself enough to see the good you’ve accomplished