Page 2 of Tied to Hope
“It was no trouble,” he muttered.
She broke away from him, laughing through her tears. “No trouble? You risked your life to save Rytsar because you were protecting our little girl. You are a hero.”
It was his turn to laugh. “A hero? No…”
“Yes!” she insisted. “I would do anything to thank you for making this happy reunion possible. Anything.”
His face turned beet red. “No need, Mrs. Davis.”
“I’m serious. Just name it.”
Frowning, he glanced over at Rytsar. “Idohave one request.”
“Yes, anything!” Brie encouraged him.
He looked back at her and said dryly, “Stay out of trouble.”
Brie said nothing at first, and then burst out laughing. She had no idea Titov had a sense of humor. No wonder Rytsar had been friends with him for years.
“I promise I’ll try,” she answered him.
Titov gave her one more awkward pat.
She turned back to Rytsar. “I trust you know what we can do to repay Titov?”
Rytsar stared at the man with a look of profound gratitude. “Radost moya, it is not your debt to pay, but mine.”
“Brie and I owe you as well, old friend,” Sir insisted.
“Nyet.You and I are brothers. There is no such thing as a debt between us.” Rytsar’s gaze moved to Brie, then Hope. “Knowing they’re safe is enough.”
Watching Rytsar holding their little girl again, Brie wanted to pinch herself. It was hard to believe this was real.
Turning to Sir, she asked, “How long have you known he was coming back?”
He shook his head. “I just found out today.” Eying the Russian, he added, “One of us enjoys keeping his closest friends in the dark.”
Rytsar gave him an innocent look. “I couldn’t stomach disappointing you in case I was delayed.”
“That…or your ego demands a grand entrance,” Titov muttered.
Sir pointed at Titov, stating, “You hit the nail on the head.”
Rytsar smirked, asking him with bravado, “What is the harm in that?”
“But, Rytsar, I’ve been sick with worry this entire time,” Brie protested, glancing at Sir. “We both have.”
Still cradling Hope, Rytsar held out an arm to her. “Come.”
Brie hesitated a moment, upset that he’d made them suffer longer than necessary, then grumbled, “You’re such a sadist.”
“Da,” he agreed with obvious pride. “Now, come to me.”
Pouting, Brie reluctantly walked into his embrace. However, she couldn’t stay mad at him when she looked down at Hope cradled in his arm.
They were both safe from the slavers because of him.
“You can rest easy,radost moya,” he assured her in a low voice. “No one is ever going to hurt you or the babe.”
