Page 15 of Mikhail Petrov

“Surprise.”

We didn’t exactly end on the best of terms, but I embrace her regardless, and it’s almost like time suspends, like she and I have been waiting for this moment since that godforsaken day in my office. As always, she feels so perfect in my arms.

“It’s been a while.”

“It has.”

When the moment passes, she steps back, but her smile doesn’t falter. I’ve always wondered if she resents me for how things ended. But as I gaze into her bright eyes, maybe there’s a chance that we can someday rekindle our friendship. A voice at the back of my head screams how friendship will never be enough.

“It’s good to see you, Leah.”

She gifts me another beaming smile. “Same.”

There’s a strange charge in the air as we stare at each other silently. There are so many unsettled emotions and words between us. But this isn’t the time to hash out the past. I peer past her and into the vehicle, searching for Rod’s guy.

“You come to see us off?” I ask, still focused on the car.

“Not exactly.”

“What does that mean?” She has my full attention now.

“It means it’s just me.”

I digest her statement, jaw ticking as she slings a bag over her shoulder and closes the car door.

“Wait. What do you mean, it’s just you? You for what?”

“I’m your guy—your girl. Rodrigo sent me—”

“Stop,” I say, blinking furiously and wholly taken back. “You’re not implying what I think you are, are you? That you are running this shipment with me?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

No. Fuck, no. This has to be a joke. Rodrigo wouldn’t screw me over like this, sending his baby sister to an arms deal across the country.

“No, absolutely not.”

Leah’s face tightens, and she narrows her eyes. “What, you think because I’m a woman, I can’t possibly know what the fuck I’m doing? That I’m not good enough?”

“Since when do you run shipments, Leah?”

She gasps and storms up to me, craning her neck to look me in the eye as a perfectly manicured finger points at my face. “Since four years ago when someone screwed me over, so I decided to be spontaneous and join the family business.”

“No, the answer is no.”

A grin tilts the side of her mouth.

“Well, suit yourself. We’re on schedule for the drop, so you either get on the plane or I leave without you. Don’t fuck with my money, Mikki.”

She claps my chest as she walks past me, then waves over her driver, who’s waiting with a black suitcase in hand. A growl rattles in my chest.

She’s crazy if she thinks this drop is happening. “Leah, wait.”

But she purposely ignores me and disappears into the cabin. I’ll kill him. Rodrigo is dead. “Shall I load your bag, Mr. Petrov?”

I grab the handle of my suitcase and nod at William before making my way up the stairs and onto the private jet. My breath catches in my throat when I find Leah, arms above her head, pulling off her sweater, a delicious sliver of skin on display for me. I’ve spent the better half of four years trying but failing to forget her, and here she is, making me realize that nothing has changed. The embers she left smoldering in my heart have reignited.

“Leah,” I sigh, clearing my head, “this can’t happen. You— This is life or death.”

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