Page 71 of Sexting the Silverfox

“Scared but excited and happy,” I say, tearing up. “ I don’t know how it’s supposed to feel. It happened in the middle of such a stressful time. I’ve got my twisted family, and you have such a good and peaceful life and you have Lily … I don’t want to add pressure, and I don’t want to be a problem. I need you to be happy—”

“Audrey,” he cuts me off and comes closer and I catch a whiff of his cologne. He cups my face in his hands and pulls me in for the sweetest, tenderest kiss. “I want this child and I want you. Can’t you see? I picked up a sniper rifle for you for the first time in years. I killed someone for you.” His eyes darken to a sullen grey as I lose myself in them, realizing the meaning behind his words. “I love you.”

“I love you, Jason, more than I thought was possible.”

“Then we’re on the same page,” he says and kisses me again.

This time, it’s deeper, more profound and loaded with emotions that we’ve both been fighting for so long. We’ve been so close, yet somehow so far apart. But tonight, for the first time since we met, Jason and I are truly bound, truly open and honest with one another. There are no secrets left between us. No lies. Nothing left unspoken. It’s just the two of us, though there are still murky waters ahead.

“My father will seek revenge,” I warn him.

Jason’s response is to wrap his arms around me and hold me close against his broad chest. I feel his heart beating with mine in a steady rhythm. “I don’t give a shit about your father right now. He got my message, loud and clear.”

“I really want to believe that.”

“You’ve always thought of him as the most powerful man in the world, right?” he asks, planting a kiss on my forehead. I nod slowly, closing my eyes for a moment. The sound of his voice alone is enough to calm my frayed nerves, to chase away any worst-case scenario that threatens to ruin what’s left of tonight. I started the day as the prisoner of a psychopath, and I would like to end it in the arms of my beloved, knowing there’s a brighter future ahead. “Grigori may be a powerful man; he may have convinced you that there is no escaping his clutches, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.”

“He’s not as powerful as he used to be. He’s getting older.”

“Nah, it’s not about that. It’s about your perception of him, Audrey. He is powerful. He’s got money, influence, and the whole New York Bratva behind him. But he is still just a man, just one player on a big ass board. I’m not as powerful as he is, but if I make the right calls, I could bring him to his knees.”

I can’t help but quiver in his embrace. “Technically speaking, you already brought him to his knees tonight.”

“That I most certainly did,” he chuckles dryly. “Will you think I’m a monster if I say I kind of enjoyed making him suffer?”

“Then that would make the both of us monsters.”

We share a smile, then drink the rest of our tea before hitting the shower. As the hot water pours over our naked bodies, we make love like there is no tomorrow.

The sun slowly rises in the morning, its golden light gleaming across the lake. I wake up to the trills of birds singing in the garden. Jason left one of the bedroom windows cracked open, giving us a lovely cool breeze that causes us to want to snuggle under the covers. My body is soft and warm against his, my fingers tracing the sharp contours of his face as I try to memorize every fine line, every speck of silver in his hair, every inch of this man who has transformed my entire world.

He sleeps soundly, his breath slow and even while I gaze at him, wondering where fate will take us next. The uncertainty is killing me.

“It’s going to be okay,” Jason mutters.

“You’re awake.”

“Have been for a while now. I enjoy listening to your heart beating,” he smiles, his eyes peeling open to find mine. There is so much love emanating from this man, and it’s enough to make the rest of the world disappear.

By noon, we’re downstairs in the kitchen, enjoying a late breakfast. Jason had groceries delivered to our door since it’s best for us to stay out of sight and out of the public eye while we figure out the next steps.

“Have you heard from Anton and Vitaly?” Jason asks, adding more bacon and scrambled eggs to my plate straight from the pan. The smell alone is enough to make my mouth water. “My friend told me they are out of the ICU and that they got their phones back. I’m thinking they might’ve reached out to you by now.”

“They have,” I say, and show him the text messages.

He laughs lightly. “I see Anton is loving those painkillers. I can barely understand what he’s trying to tell you.”

“Oh, let me translate,” I shoot back and go over his last message. “Papa is pissed and you’re screwed.” I can’t help but laugh despite the possible danger.

“And Vitaly?”

“He’s the heir to the Fedorov empire. He’s not allowed to be under the influence of painkillers,” I sigh deeply. I can tell from the eloquence of his text messages that he is definitely alive and aching all over. “His shoulder will be troublesome for a long while, but with enough physical therapy, he should make a full recovery in less than a year.”

“So, Grigori made it to the hospital.” That half-smile of his is downright contagious.

“You know, the two of us have a penthouse reserved in hell for this. We’re enjoying Papa’s misery a little too much.”

Jason scoffs and pours himself another coffee, making sure to refill my mug with green tea. I follow his every move, admiring the confidence and the blazing fire within him. This man is determined to go to the end of the world in order to keep me and our baby safe. Our family, for that matter. Because that’s what we have become in such a short but incredible time. A family.

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