We are both no longer the boys we were when our people knew us. We are freaks, Luka. Freaks.”
Zaal left the room, and I slumped against the desk. I ran my hand through my hair just as the door creaked open. Lifting my eyes, I couldn’t help but smile as my Kisa stood in the doorway, her long skintight black dress showcasing her swollen stomach.
Tilting my head to the side, I smiled at my wife, getting a blinding smile in return. Kisa shut the door and walked forward until she stood before me. My hands immediately went to her hips, and I pulled her close to my chest. Kisa ran her hands through my hair, and she pressed a kiss to my forehead. Pulling back, she said, “My papa is talking about you out there. You have definitely pleased him in your meeting.”
Wrapping my arms around Kisa’s waist, I lifted my head for her to press her lips against mine. Kisa didn’t hesitate and crushed her mouth to mine. Lifting my hand, I wrapped it in her hair and pulled her closer still. Kisa broke away on a gasp, and I whispered, “I love you, solnyshko.”
“And I you,” Kisa replied, then added, “You are happier, lyubov moya. You are happier in yourself.”
Nodding my head, I replied, “Because of you. Because you took me as the man I am now.” I dropped my mouth to her bump and kissed her raised stomach. “And because of our baby. I’m gonna be a papa, because of you. The girl I’ve always loved.”
Kisa smiled, but it soon faded. “But Zaal is not happy like us?” I raised my head. “That is why you’re worrying, and pursing your lips in that delicious way that I love.”
My chest warmed as her finger ran across my lips, but I replied, “He is without family.”
“We are his family now,” Kisa said.
I stood, taking her hand. “True, and we need to make sure he knows it,” I said firmly.
Kisa laid her head on my arm. “Spoken like a Pakhan.”
As I led Kisa from the office, I said, “No. That was said as his brother.”
4
ZOYA
The sensation of flying was what hit me first. The pain around my neck was what hit me next. I tried to open my eyes, but when I did I was met only with darkness. Disorientated, I tried to remember what had just happened. Flashes of me being stood in front of a house filtered into my mind. A house in Brooklyn. A house that held Zaal—
I gasped when I remembered someone grabbing me from behind and dragging me into the shadows. I’d fought, but he’d choked me. A cough ripped from my throat when I tried to inhale.
Suddenly arms I hadn’t even realized were holding me tightened and a hand slapped over my mouth. My heart pounded in fear. Avto had gotten it wrong. I hadn’t been safe. Our enemy was very much alive and must have followed me to the house that held Zaal.
Dread raced through me. I had led our enemy to my brother. Would they be going there next?
Even though I was terrified, instinct took over and I thrashed to get free. It was in vain, because as soon as the captor felt me try to get free the arm that was still around my neck tightened until my body went limp. As my consciousness began to fade again, I realized my captor was running with me in his arms. My hood was pulled over my head so I couldn’t see a thing, but I heard my captor. And I was sure it was a man. His breathing was low and heavy. His arm around my neck was thick and unyielding.
His scent filled my nose: spice and musk. I remembered the dark spicy scent enveloping me as my eyes fluttered shut¸ then everything went dark once again.
I woke with cold against my cheek. Instinctively I knew I was in trouble. Something in the back of mind told me that I was in danger. Avto had tried to school me in how to react if I was ever abducted. With my eyes still closed and my body unmoving, I tried desperately to remember those lessons.
Nothing came to mind, save the drive to resist telling anyone anything about who I was. To anyone outside of my people, I was Elene Melua, a poor farm girl from Kazreti, Georgia.
I controlled my breathing when I realized that my hands were shaking like a leaf. I focused