Page 32 of Bound by Blood

“And… and… I would really appreciate it if you could keep to yourself for a few days. Maybe don’t spread it around that you’re still alive. I’ll do my best to get to Japan quickly and do what I need to do,” she said, rushing the words past the lump in her throat.

Despair at walking away from Boris just when their insane chemistry had finally exploded into fireworks was causing her chest to ache. Even worse, fear for Jin’s future was distracting her every thought, making her feel weak and ineffective. How could she possibly get into the Osaka Yakuza compound and rescue Jin when she could barely think past the terror?

He nodded and reached past her, causing her to jump out of his way. He lifted his hands to show her that he was holding two water bottles. “You need to relax, my love,” he said sympathetically. “We are still few hours away from dock. Please sit down and try to be calm. I am worried about you.”

His dark eyes searched hers, the sincerity in them convincing her that he spoke the truth. Though definitely a possessive, alpha male with a serious jealous streak, Boris had never been anything but kind to her. Not even once she had confessed to being an assassin sent to kill him. Now, if ever a man was a keeper…

She couldn’t think that way. She had to let Boris go. She’d let him live and that was enough. Her conscience and her heart were clear. Now she just hoped they wouldn’t be at the expense of Jin’s life. If she had to, she would go to the Master and offer her own life in exchange. Just not Jin. Never Jin.

Laney allowed Boris to seat her on the bed once more and hand her the bottle of water. Planning his murder, having crazy intense sex with him, nearly executing him and then frantically packing her belongings worked up a thirst. She watched him devour her with his eyes and sighed. After all of these months his obsession with her never waned. Not even after finally possessing her body. It was like each time he made love to her, he wanted her even more. She was amazed that he was willing to let her go to Japan now that he finally had her.

He’d been good to her. How patient he had been as he’d wooed her. Though he’d shown much less patience once they’d boarded the ship, he had also brought her body to stunning life in a way she didn’t know she was capable of. He professed his love and promised to follow her in death as he would in life. How could she resist him? Perhaps she should tell him the truth. Tell him who Jin really was and beg him to help. He was a powerful man. If any person could help her get Jin back in once piece, it might be this one.

She touched his hand, tracing her small nails over the tattoos on his knuckles. These ones were more faded, less professional, as though they had been inked in his youth. These hands had undoubtedly done terrible things. But they’d also held her with love and tenderness. Her eyes flickered up to meet his. She saw something there. Pain? Determination? She frowned. Was he worried about her leaving for Japan? He worried too much. She reached out to smooth the frown line that bit deep between his eyes. Her fingers landed on his shoulder instead. She frowned and lifted her hand to his face.

“Never noticed… how rich your eyes are, like liquid bronze,” she whispered looking into his eyes as though she’d never seen them properly before. They were trustworthy eyes, weren’t they? She blinked several times as they began to blur.

“Have to tell you some… something…” she murmured, swaying on the spot. The room titled and spun around her. She put a hand up to her head and frowned in consternation. Was she getting sick? She shook her head. She was about to tell him something, but she couldn’t remember what. She blinked and tried to clear her gaze.

He reached for her, sliding one broad hand around her narrow shoulders and one under her hips. Lifting her up, he placed her in his lap, cradling her in his arms. She rested her head against his shoulder and yawned, placing her hand against his chest, feeling the beat of his heart against her fingertips.

“You… you’ve drugged me, haven’t you?” she murmured tiredly, her eyelids fluttering shut.

“Sleep now, my love,” he said into her hair, his chest rumbling against her cheek as he spoke, “and wake up in Russia with me at your side.”

“Boris… you’ve killed Jin,” Laney whispered, tilting her head back, her hair streaming over his arm. Her bright blue eyes stared up at him accusingly before fluttering closed.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Guilt ate at Boris and he did not know why. He didn’t care about this mysterious Jin that lived in Japan and intended on taking Laney away from him. In fact, first chance Boris got, he intended to find the man and dispose of him. He didn’t need a competitor for Laney’s affections wandering around out there. He suspected she would object to his plan, but he didn’t intend to tell her. He had enough to contend with once she woke up.

Glancing down at her slumbering form, he decided she was going to be pissed when she woke up in Russia. Certainly, that last look she gave him with those gorgeous jewel-like eyes had been anything but loving as they’d drifted shut. He held her against his chest and watched the clouds drift below the window of his airplane. And it washisairplane. Now that he was back in Russia, he could reclaim all of his assets, including this private jet. It might have meant more to him, except Boris rarely felt much beyond duty. A brutal and bloody childhood, multiple incarcerations and the bounty on his head had beaten a weary numbness into him.

Until her.

Now that he finally had her where he wanted her, he was never letting her go. He didn’t care if it took her another six months to forgive him for the death of her Jin. She would eventually get over it. He was keeping her. He needed her too badly to let her go. He needed her by his side to face the unknown enemies that would come at him in Russia. He needed her to determine what kind of shit his own brother intended to throw at him.

He loved her. He was too selfish to let her go. She would learn to love him, too. They would have a lifetime together. He held her tighter, his eyes devouring her delicate features. Even in repose she looked sad. He brought a finger up and traced her lips and cheeks, loving the near obscenity of his thick tattooed hand against her smooth, flawless features. Her pointed chin, her sharp cheeks and long lips. Her slanted eyes and long lashes. He touched everything, knowing she would struggle and jerk away from him once she was awake. Or shoot him the first chance she got her hands on a weapon.

“Mr. Grekov?” the flight attendant interrupted his silent exploration.

He glanced up with a frown and a growl of annoyance, uncaring that he might frighten the girl with his sinister, scarred visage. She backed up a few steps and swallowed visibly.

“We are approaching Moscow,” she said in Russian. “Y-your companion should have her own seat if she is able.”

The girl did not wait to see if he complied, but hurried quickly away to take her own seat. Boris gently placed Laney’s slumped form in the seat next to his and belted her in. He took her hand and kept his eyes on her to make sure she was comfortable during their entire descent.

***

Laney came awake slowly, confusion and headache merging to cloud her brain. She was incredibly thirsty and reached out for one of the water bottles that Boris always seemed to provide. A strong arm reached around her and helped tilt her head until her lips reached the edge of a glass. She sipped gratefully until her thirst was quenched and she relaxed once more with a sigh. The headache immediately began to recede until she was able to open her eyes and greet the man hovering over her prone body.

Dark, intense eyes and a bearded face greeted her. Massive arms crossed over a huge chest. He stood arrogantly, with legs spread apart. His whole body language screamed cruelty and dominance. He was exactly like his brother in every way, except for the eyes. Though he watched her with the same possessive longing, there was something different about this man… something missing. Though she could tell he wanted her, he didn’t feel for her what Boris did. She shivered.

“Who are you?” she demanded, her voice still weak from sleeping for so long. She wondered how long she had been out.

“Dimitri Grekov,” he said.

“Brother,” she murmured.

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