Page 91 of Killer Love

I look up as Luka appears from the dark office building across the street with a duffel bag in his hand. He and Yuri head in our direction and I smile.

“A light came to me and, with it, a new life. Tomorrow, it may come to you.”

Fox turns to me, his hard expression barely moving as he looks me in the eye. I see it again, that soft restraint staring back at me, but I know he hears me.

Finally, he nods.

Yuri pulls open the car door and lowers himself onto the backseat as Luka joins us by the trunk.

“As promised,” he says, holding the bag out to Fox. “Fifty-thousand for every kill.”

Fox stands still, refusing to take it until Luka pushes it a little closer and forces him to. He unzips the top and peeks inside. “I’m impressed you kept count,” he says.

Luka tilts his head. “I may have rounded up a little.”

Fox closes the bag and tosses the strap over his shoulder.

“You know, I was going to kill you,” Luka says.

“I knew you would try,” Fox quips. “What made you change your mind?”

Luka shrugs and glances at me. “Sofia, she… she’s grown attached to you.” I raise a brow and he sighs. “Let’s just say you’ve earned my respect.”

Fox smirks. “Fair enough.”

“Are you sure you want to stay here? I could use a man with your talents. As you can see, I pay very well.”

“No, thanks. I’m retired.”

“Well, if you ever change your mind…” Luka extends his hand. “You will always have a friend in Moscow, Fox Fitzpatrick.”

I smile at them as they shake hands.

“Thank you,” Fox says.

Luka’s eyes shift toward back to me. “Thank you,” he says to Fox.

I wrap my arms around Fox. Slowly, he returns the warm embrace. It’s a kind and quick act of affection, but I want him to feel it. I want him to know it still exists in his world, no matter how much he may think otherwise.

As I pull away, I kiss his scarred cheek. “Goodbye, Fox.”

He smiles and nods at both us before turning into the passing crowd. I don’t look away until he disappears around the corner, blending into the wind.

Luka takes my arm and tugs me into his body, flashing a devious wink in my direction. “American pretty boy gets a kiss and I don’t?”

I pop onto my toes to peck his cheek. “Feel better?”

“Almost.”

He leans in, aiming toward my lips, but I slide from his grasp to pull the car door open instead. He growls softly, amused and teased, and I chuckle at him as I lower myself inside.

Luka sits beside me and waves to the driver to get us moving. “Let’s go home.”

Yuri scoffs from the seat across from us. “Or we could stay here for a day or two? Take in the sights. Have some fun.”

“Yuri…”

“No, I like that idea.” I smile. “We could stay for another night. See the city? See the ballet!”

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