Page 71 of The Counterfeit Lover

Once more, Michele rebelled at the thought that she might havethatmuch control over her.

No, it could never be that. It was merely the fact that he had sex on the mind twenty-four seven and the only thing that could give him some relief was out of bounds—momentarily.

But his luck changed the day he heard Vlad and Assisi talking about a potential mission outside of the country. The idea quickly materialized and they left instruction for the whole house to mange while they were away—including his pet.

The good girl she was, she didn't even argue.

She offered them a smile, wishing them safe travels and telling them they shouldn't worry about her because she would be at home all day, and thus unlikely to be in any danger.

Michele smiled at the screen, his hand moving softly over Lovely's head.

Did she just offer a challenge?

"You're sure you're going to be alright, Zia?" Assisi asked her for the millionth time. "The kids aren't here either, so it's going to be just you and the guards. We could take you with us," she turned to her husband who shook his head.

"No, no, Sisi. I'll be fine. Really. I'm old enough to be able to spend some time in my own company," his pet cracked a smile just as a chuckle escaped Michele.

He liked this side of her—the sarcastic,almostfunny one.

"Are you sure?" Assisi bit her lip in apprehension.

"Yes. I'll be perfectly fine. It's only two days, no? What can happen in two days?"

"Don't worry, hell girl. No one would dare come tomyhouse. You know that," Vlad came forward, throwing his arm over Assisi's shoulders and drawing her close to his body.

"You won't go out?" Assisi asked.

Damn it, but the woman wouldn't stop. Just as Michele was thinking the subject would be dropped and his pet would end up all alone, Assisi kept going in circles.

"I'll stay in to finish my homework. I have a bit to catch up," his pet assured her in a soft voice.

"I guess we could go then," she sighed.

Finally.

The moment Vlad and Assisi confirmed their trip, Michele started planning his break-in and how he'd get to his pet.

By God, but he was lucky. He'd have one entire night with her—watch her, touch her, simply be near her. And though that wasn't remotely enough, considering how much heneededher, it would have to do for now.

Besides, if he managed to get easy access to her room, then it wouldn't be the last time he paid her such a visit. Until he managed the logistics of stealing her away for good, it would have to do.

Vlad and Assisi departed later the following afternoon.

Michele had already scouted the area and Andreas had done an in-depth analysis of the security in place.

Kuznetsov may have a lot of guards, but that wasn't enough to keep Michele from his pet.

Learning the schedule of the guards as well as their placement made it easy for Michele to sneak in when the entire household went to sleep.

By that point, Michele had become so accustomed to the house and its layout that it didn't take him long to locate his pet's room.

His movements slow, quiet and stealthy, he opened her door without making the least of noise.

And when he was finally inside, he was stumped to realize just how small it was—certainly smaller than it had seemed on the monitor.

There was one twin bed on the wall to his left, a desk with books and her various items on the wall opposite it, and the untouched suitcase to his right.

At the end of the room there was a door that led to an even smaller bathroom.

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