Page 46 of Owned By Shadows

“Won’t that be uncomfortable for you, having to support my weight?” I ask as he pulls my top off, leaving me in just my damp bikini, then Nik hands him a towel to wrap around me.

“Are you comfortable?” Hunt asks me instead of answering, and I nod. “Well then, I’m fine.”

Roman settles next to us, reaching into the cool box and pulling out a bottle of this fruity fizzy drink that I love. He opens it, then hands it over to me before taking out a beer and passing that to Hunt before he grabs one for himself.

I settle back against Hunt, the warmth from his body and the towel around me helping to dry me off. His arm comes around me as Nik and Rowan flop down on the blanket, all of us quiet as we just take in the lush surroundings.

“One day, when this is all over, can we come back here?” I ask no one in particular, my eyes closed as I relax back against Hunt.

“Sure, we can have all the adventures, Peaches,” Hunt assures me, stroking my hair in a gesture that has me relaxing into him even more.

“We will have everything fun and more, especially with our baby,” Roman adds as I crack an eye open to find him lying next to us.

Wanting to do the same thing, I shuffle down the blanket until my head is in Hunt’s lap and I’m facing Roman.

“Promise?” The word is a soft plea, a need for him to reassure me that this is temporary. That one day we will be able to do what we like with no fear.

“I swear it, Princess,” Roman states, reaching out and trailing his fingers down my cheek.

“As do I, Peaches,” Hunt murmurs, his hand resting on my shoulder and giving a light squeeze.

“I swear too, Lamb.” Rowan’s voice is firm, unyielding.

“I will make this world safe for you and our family,Moye Solntse,” Nik tells me, and my eyes drift closed with theirpromises like a cocoon, my hand resting on my stomach, over our baby.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

“I SEE FIRE” BY ED SHEERAN

NIKOLAI

The setting sun casts the entire island in stunning shades of pink and orange, like the sky itself is ablaze. I’m alone on the beach, trying to establish a secure connection on my phone, needing to call Alexei and update him. Though knowing the bastard, he already knows.

I glance back at the villa where Iris is resting, Roman with her as they take a late afternoon nap. I move farther down the beach, ensuring privacy because this is a call that requires it.

Bringing the phone up to my ear, Alexei answers on the third ring. “I was beginning to think you were dead.”

I huff a rueful laugh. “Not for lack of trying on my father’s part.” I sigh, allowing my shoulders to slump for just a moment. “We had to evacuate quickly. He found out. About the baby, I mean.”

“I know,” Alexei answers, his tone almost sympathetic, and I can hear the faint sound of papers rustling in the background.“My sources tell me Sergi has mobilised practically every asset he has. There’s a substantial bounty on your head…and on your pregnant girlfriend’s.”

My jaw tightens, a Russian curse falling from my lips. “Did your sources tell you that part too?” I don’t mean to sound petulant, but the whole situation is beyond frustrating. I didn’t know how many resources my father still had, which would have been useful. My gut twists, thinking about how I share blood with this monster. That part of his ire is directed towards me and he will take it out on those that are close to me, my chosen family.

“I make it my business to know everything, Nikolai. It’s why I’m still alive.” He pauses. “Your father is monitoring hospitals in six countries.”

“Tvoyu mat bliad!” Motherfucker! I pace along the shoreline, the beautiful scenery forgotten, my mind racing. “The New Year’s timeline—is it still viable?”

“More than viable. My preparations are on schedule. The question is yours.” Alexei’s voice takes on a harder edge. Here is the ruthless heir of the Volkov Bratva, one-third of The Fallen. “Can you still deliver your end without compromising our operation? Can you keep your father from discovering you until then?”

“I’ll be there,” I state firmly. “But I need to secure some things first.”

“Such as?” Alexei questions, and I can picture his raised brow.

“We’ll clean and secure transport from Southeast Asia to London. I need Iris close but removed from the conflict. We also require documentation that would pass scrutiny, and medical supplies, just in case Iris’s condition changes while we’re here.”

“Okay, done.” As simple as that, and some of the tension drains from my shoulders. “I need your access to the securityprotocols your father has implemented, and confirmation of which allies can still be trusted.”

“I’m surprised you can’t just hack your way in, or have one of your brethren do it,” I tease, and he swears at me in Russian.

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