Page 95 of The Brigadier

“Okay. Then you should do this sooner versus later. If you don’t, it will eat at you until you can’t take it any longer. And there’s a storm coming in.”

He looked up and sniffed. Did the man really think that was going to tell him something accurate weather-wise? “Don’t worry. We get this stormy look often this time of year. You’ll see. The sun will shine again soon.”

At least he sounded more hopeful, which shocked me.

“Enjoy yourself,” he continued. “I’m going to take your advice and if you aren’t careful, you will end up on my employee roster, young woman.”

“Only if I’m offered a six-figure salary, high six figures.” I was only teasing but his entire expression softened again. The man was a dichotomy of emotions.

He brushed the backs of his knuckles down my cheek. “Lady. You have no idea how much you’re worth. What you’ve given me and my son is priceless. I want you around for a very long time. Do you understand me?”

Long time. He wasn’t exactly professing his love, but the words meant so much to me and I could easily tell he meant them. “I know. Do what you need to do. We’ll be fine here. Your men are very good at what they do and Damien isn’t bothered in the least by them. I’ll miss you if you leave but I’ll be here.”

“You try and go anywhere and I will hunt you down. No matter how long it takes.”

Nikolay rose to his feet while I shivered from his words, feeling so many raw emotions myself. When he leaned over, kissing my lips, it was the first time he’d shown this kind of affection possibly in front of his son. It would seem times were changing.

Maybe for the better.

Then again, very few fantasies came true.

However, it was tender and sweet, his tongue lightly sweeping my mouth. It was still possessive yet tender. He was trying to tell me without words how he felt and how important I’d become to him.

Damn it if I wasn’t shivering.

“I’m going to clean up before having a strategic meeting with my men here including a Zoom call with both Aleksander and Vadim. The more your idea settles in, the more I like it. That will involve leaving and it’ll take some time. Maybe all night.”

“I understand. At least I can make food Damien enjoys and we have plenty of movies.”

“Now you’re just trying to make me jealous. Little brat you.”

His laugh would resonate with me for a long time. That scared me to death.

As he walked away, he took a few seconds to glance down at Damien, even crouching down and providing something I couldn’t hear but I suspected Nikolay was admitting he had to leave again.

Even though I knew I was right in what I’d told him, my heart was aching more than ever before. It was as if the end was near.

But what end?

I sipped on my wine for a few seconds, finally noticing the little man was obviously getting tired. Between the sun and swimming, I could tell he needed a nap.

The thought of spending the night without Nikolay was ugly but I stood by my conviction. Enemies lost when you did exactly what they didn’t expect you to do.

Sadly, I knew whatever Nikolay found using Tanner would likely alter the man I’d grown to care about.

Forever.

CHAPTER 26

Nikolay

The woman was fucking brilliant, her strategic idea one of the best I’d ever heard let alone used. While I was spending all this time wallowing in self-pity and rage, I’d forgotten everything my father had taught me.

I suspected Vadim and Aleksander had as well.

How had the woman provided clarity so damn easily? I was floored.

I admired her.

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