Page 53 of Damaged Princess

No, he most certainly would not. Markov Androff is a vile son of a bitch.

"I met with your father to discuss a few things," I say truthfully. "While he and his minions were busy with me, I had some old friends drop by your house."

Anastasia leans back and pulls the heart-shaped jewelry-box between us. She pops it open and there's a miniature urn inside. It has a hummingbird and a flower etched into the design. Ana runs her finger over it carefully.

"Thank you," she says softly. "I can't explain how much this means to me."

My forearm wraps around her head, pulling her back into my chest. Her warm breath puffs out against my throat, making my cock throb. Now isn't the time for that, but holy fucking shit, I missed the hell out of her.

"Did you know about the gold bars?" I ask because, yeah, my mind is still stuck on the fact the heavy-ass box has mini gold bars in different sizes filling the bottom drawer.

Anastasia didn't blink twice at them meaning it's highly likely she knew of their existence. Which is fucking nuts. I've seen powerful people horde riches, but Ana went for her mother's ashes not the thousands of dollars of gold.

"Yeah. They were birthday gifts from my mom. Some were gifts from her family pack that she passed down to me," Anastasia says, putting her mother's ashes back in the jewelry box and closing it up. "Thank you, did I even say that?"

"You did," I assure her.

I wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly to my chest. She sounds a little dazed and out of it.

"I can't really believe that you got me that box," Ana says. She stretches up and marks my cheek with her scent. "You're so fluffy I feel like I'm barely touching any skin."

My hands land on her hips as I stare into her eyes. "Do you forgive me for leaving?"

Anastasia blinks up at me. Her hand rubs over my chest and then she's pinching the ever-loving hell out of my nipple.

"Damn, princess," I grumble, swatting her hand away.

Anastasia laughs. "Sorry, I had to get that last bit of anger out. Do you know how badly I hurt, wondering why you left like that?"

"I'm sorry," I murmur, nuzzling my cheek to the top of her head. "I thought I was clear that I would be back as fast as possible and that…" I swallow.

The words are right on the tip of my tongue, but I chicken out.

I say, "I care about you, Ana."

Anastasia nods, licking her lips.

"Sorry to interrupt," Cas says, holding my phone out. He climbs up the stairs to the nest. "Your phone has been going off non-stop for the last fifteen minutes."

"Shit," I grumble. My lips brush hers and I gently lift her, placing her back on the nest mattress. "Stay with her. Let me see what's up."

Cas nods his agreement as I head down the stairs and out of the nest.

It takes about three seconds to realizethe shit just hit the fan in a big way.

Chapter Thirteen

Anastasia

"It's only a twenty-minute drive," Rafe says, buckling me into the seat belt. He wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his strong chest.

"It's snowing," I grumble, glaring out the window.

I've got no idea what's going on. All I do know is Rafe and Vik bundled me up along with a ton of supplies. Vik's truck is packed with crap and there's even more in the back.

Apparently things didn't go according to Vik's plan, and I'm trying not to let pure terror take over. Wolfe is meeting us wherever we're going, but I'm anxious as hell.

"You promised me details," I snap at Vik as he climbs into the driver's seat.

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