our hummingbird when I entrusted her with safeguarding Stacia. I thought she was like any other do-gooder we’d come across.”
“You expected her to rescue Stacia then abandon her like others would have.”
“I did.” Kristof pounded his fist on the chair arm. “I also didn’t predict Olaf’s wishes when this was over. I assumed he’d want to reunite with her.”
Olaf’s signed words in transit to the safe house haunted Kristof.
“You’re safe. You’re free. Soon you’ll be with Stacia.” Kristof signed the assurances and smiled down at his cousin.
The man’s eyes widened as he shook his head and signed frantically. “No. Never. I am dead to her. She must never know I’m alive. The man she loved died long ago. Leave her be. Let her live without me.”
“She loves you. She’d want to see you, to have you in her life once again.”
“No.”
“He’s dead. You’ve been avenged. Stacia has been avenged. Your father and my mama, too. Don’t let that bastard take her from you.”
Olaf shut his eyes and looked away as the vehicle continued down the highway. Anger and determination settled in Kristof. He’d signed the words to offer his cousin some privacy despite the clustered Arsenal operatives around them, but he needed to know he deserved to get his life back.
“I won’t let you give up, Olaf. I won’t stop until you’ve gotten the life you deserved to live, the one my father stole from you,” Kristof said. He looked across at Addy, whose gaze swept between him and Olaf. “He stole too many years from us both.”
“He’s scared,” Maksim said. “You both are. You’re starting over with no boundaries and limitless possibilities.”
“This isn’t about me.”
“It is. Lead by example. Chase the life you want, and he’ll follow. You were always the one he looked up to. That hasn’t changed.”
“I failed him,” Kristof whispered. “In so many ways. I am just as guilty for what was done to him as Father was. I should’ve…”
“Don’t.” Maksim gripped his arm. “Don’t taint all you’ve accomplished with guilt that isn’t yours. You aren’t that weak. I won’t allow it.”
“Admitting a failure isn’t weak.”
“No, but taking the easy road is. Going after what you want, what your heart and soul desires, will be a hard battle. Show him you are strong enough to fight for what you want. He will do the same.”
What did he want?
Addy.
Her name echoed in his mind. His thoughts constantly returned to her.
She’d leave Russia soon. Too much remained unresolved for Kristof to give chase.
Right?
He grunted and took another sip of water. None of that mattered right now. Olaf was his primary focus. Everything and everyone else would wait until his cousin was awake and stabilized.
Maksim stood. “At least rest in here if you won’t leave his side. I’ll bring food in a couple hours.”
Kristof waited until the man was near the door. “Maksim.”
He turned.
“Thank you. For everything.”
“It’s been my honor.”
Addy sat in the living room with her team huddled around her. Arms drawn around her legs, she smiled at Zoey and Gage as they entered and sat. Nolan and Marshall followed. Neither man seemed pleased with how their day was progressing if their grim expressions were any indication.
They’d secured the missiles and gotten them safely out of Russia. Levi’s team was, once again, coordinating their transport. Lexi had joined her brother’s team.
“You okay?” Beast asked, his voice still booming in the otherwise quiet room despite his lowered volume.
“Yeah. It’s amazing what eight hours of sleep can do,” she said with a forced smile.
“How’s Kristof? I can’t imagine putting a bullet in your own father is easy,” Shep said.
“He’s with Olaf, I think. I haven’t seen him since we got back.” Addy shrugged. “I’m sure it wasn’t easy, but Kostya was a sadistic bastard. He deserved what he got. Kristof knows that more than anyone.”
“Still couldn’t have been easy,” Gage said. “I’m thinking he hasn’t gone down that thought trail yet. He’s too hung up on Olaf’s recovery.”
There’d been so much going on that none of them had taken time to mentally unwind. Kristof needed time to decompress before going to The Arsenal. He’d do anything for his cousin, but she suspected uprooting his life in Russia wasn’t going to be easy.
“How’s the cousin doing?” Thunder asked.
“Not good, but he’ll be stabilized soon. Severe dehydration and a few infections. Malnourishment. Poorly healed broken bones in his arms and left leg,” Zoey said. “He’s got a long road to recovery.”
“He’ll get there,” Addy said. “Kristof won’t accept anything less, I’m sure.