Page 31 of Brutal Loyalty

He couldn’t explain why, but being with Elena was bliss in the simplest, least complicated way. He was sure if anyone heard him share that, he’d be laughed at. Elena Popov was one big complication and not just thanks to her father. To an observer, she was feisty to the point of being argumentative. But once he’d managed to peel back the layers, what he’d found underneath was a passionate woman who was also a little bit lost. And Roman was willing to admit that he wanted to help her. To wipe away all the hurt she’d experienced and fill her life with joy. They hadn’t talked about it, but he hoped she planned to stick around because when the time came that she no longer needed the protection of staying with Viktor and Alexandra, he wasn’t sure he would be able to give her up.

Roman gave up on bed and eased himself to his feet. He checked his phone for messages before going to shower. Afterward, he got dressed at a leisurely pace. It was unusual that Viktor would be out of touch for so long, but Roman also knew that Viktor had set aside time to spend with Alexandra. He found them both seated in the dining room.

Viktor lifted his chin to look at Roman as he entered. “Good morning, Roman.”

Roman nodded politely. “Good morning, Viktor. Alexandra.”

“Hey, Roman,” Alexandra said with a smile. “It’s funny you’d show up right now. We were just talking about you.”

Roman arched a brow. “In a positive context, I hope.”

“Of course.” Viktor laughed, grinning slyly. “I was just mentioning to Alexandra how odd it is that, since Elena has come to stay with us, you’ve been so quiet and distant…and how much louder your bedroom is at night.”

Alexandra giggled. Embarrassment burned up Roman’s neck, but he kept his face impartial.

“You know, Roman, Elena can be very persuasive,” Alexandra said. She folded her arms on the table and leaned forward, looking up at him in amusement. “I had a feeling that she’d end up in your company once she came to live here—something about the two of you made sense to me. I’m glad to see I wasn’t wrong. I think you’re good for her.”

“I just can’t believe that she could convince our chaste monk, of all people, to take her to bed.” Viktor grinned, and Roman finally clued into the look he was giving him—it was teasing congratulations. “It’s good to see you’re finally living, Roman.”

Roman nodded tersely. The heat of embarrassment made it across his face. “Thank you. I think.” Alexandra’s giggle helped him relax, but he was glad Elena wasn’t here to hear this conversation. She might not appreciate the teasing, even if it was coming from her best friend.

“Now.” Viktor sat up straight and let the humor ebb from his face. “Was there something you wanted to discuss?”

“Yes.” Roman stepped toward the table, closing some of the space between himself and Viktor. There was no one else in the room, but there were ears everywhere, and if Viktor had something to tell him, he didn’t want it to spread. “I haven’t been available as much as I usually am, and you have my apologies for that. It won’t happen again.”

Viktor stopped him before he could say more. “It’s fine. The info you got from Ruslan has been confirmed, and I’ve reached out to a contact to arrange a meeting. I’ll expect you by my side when that takes place. Meanwhile, given your rather terse text last night, I assumed you’ve been busy.” The smirk returned to his face. “By the way, where is Elena? Did you wear her out?”

“Viktor!” Alexandra attempted to sound shocked, but then she started laughing and Roman couldn’t help smiling as he shook his head. It was good to see the both of them happy. He really hoped that the same might be said of him and Elena. Eventually. He owed Viktor, for everything. The last thing Roman wanted was to allow Viktor to think his loyalty had strayed.

“Is there anything else you wanted to talk about, Roman?” Viktor asked.

Roman shook his head. “No.”

“Then, I suppose, you’re free until tomorrow.” The good humor in Viktor’s eyes never changed. “Alexandra and I plan to be occupied with each other for the rest of the day. We would appreciate privacy, as I imagine you might.”

“Of course.” Roman nodded. He straightened his posture. “Thank you. Enjoy your time with each other.”

“We will.” Alexandra winked. “Thanks for checking in on us, Roman. Have fun with your day off—and tell Elena I look forward to spending some time with her, when she has the energy again.”

Roman chuckled, wishing that that was the case—that his need for privacy with Elena the night before had been solely so they could be intimate together. But that hadn’t been it at all. Still, he wasn’t about to mention Raisa Popov to either of them unless it was a matter of life or death, which it currently wasn’t. Giving them both a wave, he left the dining room to return to his bedroom. As he passed through his door, he pushed a hand through his hair and let out a sigh. When he’d started working for Viktor, he’d requested that he never have days off—his job had been his passion—the force that allowed him to drown out the lack of anything else in his life. But so much had changed in so short a time, and he was left floundering when it came to what he truly wanted.

He was appreciative of the time off, certainly, but at the same time, he was startled by it. The prospect of enjoying time outside of work was new to him…and the idea of spending it with a woman, even newer. He glanced out the bedroom window as he crossed the room, wanting to check on the current state of the sky to see if the weather would allow him to take Elena somewhere outside, when he noticed her on the grounds…with a man who stood near the street. Roman approached the window and peered out, narrowing his eyes to try to see more clearly. The man turned to face Elena, allowing Roman to see him in full. To his surprise, he recognized who it was.

Mikhail.

Mikhail had served with Roman in the same tactical group in the army. The man had been in and out of trouble and had eventually been transferred. Roman had been certain he’d never see the man again.

What was he doing here, on the Sokolov estate? And what was he doing with Elena?

Roman watched Mikhail nod at Elena, then lead her out of sight of the frontward-facing windows of the house. Once she was out of his line of sight, Roman grabbed his phone and dialed an old mutual friend of his and Mikhail’s, Maksim. The phone rang, and Roman grimaced as he waited for it to connect. He needed answers.

“Roman,” Maksim greeted him.

“Maksim,” Roman said, emoting far more than he usually would. The joy in his voice served a purpose—he wanted to put Maksim at ease. “It’s been a long time. You remember me, don’t you?” he joked.

“How could I forget?” Maksim laughed. “What are you up to these days, old friend?”

“I’ve taken on chauffeur work,” Roman said simply, leaving out everything else. Maksim didn’t need to know the details. “Nothing too exciting. It pays the bills.”

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