Page 118 of Cruel Knots

Thoughts about Dad still nag me though. I don’t mention a word to Damien because every time I do, he gets mad at me.

Damien’s attitude toward me is slowly changing. He’s relaxing in my presence enough to even dine with me. If I continue to stay patient, he might eventually allow me to call Dad.

A knock sounds at the door, followed by the beep of the electronic lock.

“Mikhail!” I exclaim, throwing my Kindle away and jumping off the bed.

Running forward, I throw myself at him.

“Hey, hey,” he says with a chuckle and catches me in his arms.

I haven’t seen him for almost a week. Every time I asked Damien and Leon about him, they said he was busy working.

Rough stubble darkens his handsome face and his hooded jacket and jeans are matted with dirt. Even the strands of his ash-blond hair look dusty.

“Where have you been?” I ask, stepping away to take a better look at him. “You stink.”

A laugh rumbles in his chest as he pounces on me and hugs me tightly, squishing my face against his hard muscles. “I thought you were excited to see me. Where did all your enthusiasm disappear?” he teases.

He loosens his hold, allowing me to breathe again.

“Where did you go? You look like you haven’t showered in a week.”

“I didn’t,” he says with a shrug.

“Why not?”

“I was pretending to be a homeless man,” he says, rubbing the back of his head. “How many showers do you think they get to have?”

“Why were you doing that?” I ask curiously.

“It’s my job,” says Mikhail. “Being on the streets allows me to mingle with all sorts of people. It helps gain info on what’s happening in Ashville’s underbelly. We have to keep an eye on things after dealing with the Morellis. We’ve got to be ready in case anyone is planning to retaliate against us.”

“Oh.”

He brushes a thumb over my bottom lip. “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to kiss you this past week.”

“Did you at least brush your teeth?”

He grins toothily. His teeth shine white, allowing me to let out a relieved breath.

Moving closer, I wrap my arms around his shoulder and rise on my toes to kiss him.

Mikhail sweeps me into his arms, pulling me closer as he captures my lips.

Heat bursts through me, warming me to the tips of my toes.

“Will you be home now?” I ask when we break apart.

“Yeah,” he says. “But I was thinking about going out to a club tonight to chill out with Leo. Do you want to hang out with us?”

I stare at him, wondering if I heard him correctly. “I can go?”

“If you want to.”

I give a rapid nod.

“Then, I’ll see you around seven,” he says. “Now, I should go and show my face to Damien or he’ll come stomping in here.”

---