Page 3 of Daniil
“I don’t want to talk to him.I want to talk to you.I thought we were friends?”
“We are, but this is different.”
“Then at least tell me—is she safe?She didn’t die or anything?”
He hesitates.“No.She’s fine.”
“When will Grim get back?”
“No idea.This isn’t a mission he’s on for me.Something about a debt owed to an old friend.”
Dammit.I’m starting to get frustrated.
“I’m coming to the States,” I say after a moment.
“Dan—I can tell you one thing for sure—she doesn’t want to see you.”
That pisses me off.
“Me specifically?She told you that?”
“Daniil, you’re my friend but I’m bound by an NDA.”
“An NDA?”I demand in confusion.“Why would she need one of those?”
He doesn’t respond.
“Come on, man.Give me something.Please?Lennox is worried half to death, and frankly, so am I.”
“I did give you something—I told you she doesn’t want to see you.”
“I’m trying to understand, dammit!Does her disappearance have something to do with me specifically?”
“I’m sorry.I can’t say anything else.”
“Then I’m coming to Vegas.See you soon.”With that, I disconnect.
Then I head up to talk to Erik, the king, and get vacation time approved.Maybe I can throw in some meetings in D.C.in my role as a diplomat.Then I can stay longer.
But I’m not giving up until I find her and at least have a conversation.
If I did something wrong, I need to know.
I am many things, not all of them good, but I’d never hurt a woman.
Certainly not the one I pretty much fell in love with the first time I laid eyes on her.
Chapter2
Courtney
The soundof a crying baby wakes me.I turn over and stretch, taking a moment to gather myself before dealing with my five-month-old son, Micah.The plush carpet embraces my feet with softness as I pad into the nursery.
Micah’s on his back, kicking his little legs in annoyance, and I gently lift him into my arms.
“Good morning, sweet boy.”
He smiles when he sees me, immediately fisting a lock of my messy hair.
