Page 121 of Sinner's Salvation

They waited until he was outside the room before Baz focused his gaze on Evan. “If you don’t mind my saying, you look like shit.”

“I’m tired as well. Though I did getsomesleep, unlike Brian.”

Baz waved at him with one hand. “Go. Crash. Snore some siding off a barracks or something.”

“You do look fatigued,” Anna said, reaching up to cup his face with one hand.

“Ugh,” Baz said. “Please don’t get all lovey-dovey around me. It makes me want to barf.”

Anna rolled her eyes, then took Evan by the hand. “Come on, let’s go home and leave this grouchy boy-man alone.”

Evan followed her, one word echoing in his brain. Home. He had ahome. It wasn’t a place. It was a who.

Anna Breznik had become his home and he never planned to leave.

Chapter Fourteen

As Anna and Evan returnedto the hotel, a small knot of Chinese tourists were chatting in the lobby. As soon as she and Evan were visible, the ladies in the group waved enthusiastically at them.

“I’m surprised you aren’t worried aboutthem,” Anna said to Evan. “Those little old ladies are some of the most dangerous people I’ve ever met.”

“But they’re on our side, right?” he asked. “Besides, they’re not young. How much damage can they do?”

Anna took her time before replying. “Kublai Khan had many wives, but his favorite was Empress Chabi. She was a tiny woman, but intelligent and utterly ruthless in defense of her husband. Just as I am ruthless in my defense of my family.” She stopped walking to meet his gaze. “I would have thought those stories your grandfather told you would have taught you not to underestimate women with a mission.”

She smiled at him, then strode toward the ladies, bowing to them when she reached them. They bowed back and chattered at her in happy sounding voices with some fleeting glances his way. There was also giggling and whispering behind hands.

Evan stayed where he was for the moment. Had Anna known Kublai Khan’s wife?

Anna laughed out loud at something someone said and glanced at him with a considering expression on her face.

“Geez,” he muttered to himself. “I feel like I’m in a Jane Austin novel. All I’m missing is my cravat.” He turned to give the lobby a visual sweep, making sure no assholes had walked in.

“Evan,” Anna called out.

He spun back to her.

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