Ivan 2 (Her Russian Protector #9) - Roxie Rivera Page 0,31

teacher’s favorite student.”

I bristled at his guess but had to admit he was right. “Yes. Most of the time.”

“Well, let’s hope our kids take after you more than me.”

“No way! There is so much about you that I want our kids to inherit.”

“Like?”

“Your tenacity. Your loyalty. Your generosity. The way you love me,” I added, thinking of how completely he had committed himself to me.

He seemed a little embarrassed by my praise and cleared his throat. “I...thank you.” He glanced over and caught my gaze. “I appreciate that you feel that way.”

Pleased with his gratitude and acceptance of a compliment, I leaned over and lifted up out of my seat to quickly kiss his cheek. “You’re welcome.”

“Sit back,” he scolded with a rumbling laugh. “We’re in morning traffic with all of these crazy drivers.”

He had a point so I made a show of sitting primly in my seat. “Speaking of cars and drivers...”

“Yes?”

“I was thinking about taking Ruby with me to test drive some cars at Alexei’s lot.”

“I think that sounds like a good idea.”

I narrowed my eyes at his too quick reply. “Really?”

“Yes. Really.”

“Uh-huh.”

“What?” He laughed and shook his head. “I’m being nice and agreeing that your sister deserves a nice afternoon with you, and now I’m suspicious?”

“I mean...”

“Erin.” He looked over to make sure I understood he was serious. “I know you’ve missed your sister. I know you want to fix your relationship. I want you to have that with her. If that means you two go car shopping? Good.”

There was no mistaking the truth reflected in his eyes. He really did want that for me. “Well, thank you.”

He nodded. “You’re welcome.”

Teasingly, I said, “Look at us! Communicating like adults! Talking about our feelings!”

He snorted. “Don’t expect it too often. I have a reputation to uphold.”

“Yes, as my big, sweet, marshmallow.”

He groaned. “I hope you don’t say that to other people.”

“Never,” I answered hastily, hiding my smile.

“Erin!”

“What?”

“Nothing.” He reached over and grabbed my hand, lifting it and noisily kissing the back of it. “I love you.”

“Even if I go around telling everyone what a marshmallow you are?”

He grunted. “Even if you do that.”

We drove the rest of the way in silence, me smiling, and him still holding my hand. As he navigated the busy streets, I tried to control my expectations for the day. I had to be mindful of everything Ruby had endured. She had gone from a raging addict to clean and sober and not fully by her choice. She had lost the man she loved and her freedom. She had gone through God only knew what behind bars. When she came out of that inmate processing center, she wasn’t going to be the sister I had known all my life. She was going to be different, probably harder and more mistrusting, and I had to give her grace.

Ivan’s description of the building was correct. It was ugly and very plain. Across the street, there was a tall building made of wheat-colored stone. “What is that?”

“Court,” he said, pulling into a public parking lot right next to the building. He took his wallet from the center console and plucked a ten from it. He rolled down the window and handed it to the bored-looking attendant. “Keep the change.”

“Thanks, man.”

“Where do you want to park?” he asked while his window finished rising. There were dozens of empty spaces this early in the morning, so we had our pick.

“How about this first row? Next to the building? She’ll see us when she comes out, right?”

“I think so.” He chose a spot in that row and parked. “Now, we wait.”

“I’m not good at waiting.”

“I know you aren’t.” He brushed his fingers along my jaw. “But you’ve waited all these months to get her out, so what’s a few more minutes?”

“I guess when you put it like that...”

As if on cue, I spotted the familiar form of my sister rounding the corner. I unlatched my belt and practically tumbled out of the front seat before bounding toward her like an overwhelmed child. She stiffened when she saw me running, probably instinct after being incarcerated and on edge all the time, but relaxed when she realized it was me. “Ruby!”

“Jesus, Erin!” she exclaimed with a laugh of disbelief as I launched myself at her. “We saw each other a week ago!”

“It’s not the same!” I hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go. It wasn’t until that moment, feeling my sister’s arms around me that I understood how much I had