Page 81 of Scarred (Russian Sinners 2)

“Yes, yes, yes.” There was no doubt she was up for this trip.

I regretted letting go of Nikolai’s hand. It was silly but I loved his touch, feeling his strength.

“Want me to pack your stuff too?” I offered him. It was a small token of appreciation since it seemed I couldn’t offer him much else.

“Sure, that’d be great. Keep in mind, it will be chillier up north. Don’t worry if you forget anything, we’ll have it delivered.”

I nodded. “Okay, that means I can leave the jewelry behind,” I teased him, trying to lighten up the mood. Although I wasn’t sure for whose benefit.

When he chuckled, I was glad. “You can leave it behind and I’ll get you more.”

“I think Uncle Nikolai loves you,” Tasha gushed.

I laughed uncomfortably, hoping she was right at least a little bit.

“Kiddo, you have to stop listening to Katja’s love stories,” I answered instead as we went up the stairs. I threw a backward glance over my shoulder and found Nikolai’s eyes still lingering on me. My heart skipped a beat as he smiled and just like that, my day turned brighter again.

First, I ran to my bathroom to brush my teeth and then the next two hours were a whirlwind of packing everything we needed for Tasha to ensure her studies didn't fall behind. I ensured her tutors provided lessons and a schedule so I could help her with it for as long as we were away. It was decided I’d send in assignments via email to them. Then it was packing her clothes; after that, I went to pack Nikolai’s clothes, although I wasn’t quite sure what to pack for him. So I packed a little bit of everything, from jeans to crisp white shirts and suits that I usually saw him wearing. I dragged his suitcase to the hallway and immediately one of his guards came to grab it from me.

“Thank you,” I told him, slightly out of breath. The damn thing was heavy. “I might have overpacked.”

“Better over prepared than under prepared,” he retorted with a smile and I couldn’t agree more.

When it was time to pack my stuff, it was easy since I usually opted for comfortable wear. I quickly decided on a few dresses too, just in case. Just as I was pushing my running clothes and shoes into a bag, Nikolai strode into the bedroom.

“Ready?” Darn, he looked good. He must have taken a shower, cause his hair was damp and he changed into another pair of jeans paired with a black shirt and a blazer. I noted he had a holster underneath it. He looked dark and handsome.

“Yes,” I remembered to answer, peeling my eyes off his body. “Tasha is packing a few of her dolls she wanted to take along.”

He walked to me and wrapped his arms around me.

“Fuck, I want you in my bed right now,” he growled and instantly heat pooled between my thighs.

“Tonight,” I promised him softly and placed my palms against his chest, his strong heartbeat under my fingertips. It was amazing how much things have changed from the moment we met in his casino. “Did everything go okay with-” I struggled for words, then finally gave up, “-with the clean up?”

“Yes.” He pressed his lips hard against mine. I returned the kiss, enjoying his possessiveness and warmth. He stopped too soon, and it took me a moment to process his next words. “I have a plane ready for us. Ilya and Andrey are coming along with five other security guards. We’ll have more when we get there; it’s already secured.”

I knew he was trying to keep me informed to ensure I felt safe. But to me, the entire battalion of men wouldn’t compare to the safety I felt around him.

“I’m safe as long as I’m with you,” I told him. His blue gaze was the only safety for me.

Tasha stormed into the room, breaking the moment.

“I’m ready,” she proclaimed, and I couldn’t help but to smile.

“Perfect timing,” I announced. “Because your uncle just said it is time to go.”

Tasha rushed in front of us. She couldn’t wait to get out the door and start our adventure. Nikolai grabbed my bag and wrapped his arm around me protectively.

“Let’s go, beautiful.”

As we descended the stairs, I remembered what I forgot.

“Shit,” I muttered. Well, it wasn’t exactly that I forgot something but it would drive me crazy unless I could work on my painting a bit every day. It would twirl in my mind, like an unfinished book that you absolutely needed to find out the ending to.

“Did you forget something?” he glanced my way.

“It’s stupid,” I mumbled, glancing at him. Here we were in a ride or die situation, and I worried about painting. Except, it was as if a piece of my limb came back and I didn’t want to lose it again.

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