I’d learned enough that it didn’t do me any good to linger.

We set off for the house the men shared with their woman and Nikolay’s boys.

It was a huge house set on the outskirts of the city, under heavy and constant guard.

I didn’t blame the men for having so many guards around the house, not with Catalina and the boys there.

About forty-five minutes later, we pulled up to the gate.

Mikhail and Nikolay got out of the car first.

I checked my phone before I left.

Raphael had stayed behind in New Mexico to take care of things and to keep an eye on Bianca. There was no other man I entrusted more with her safety than him.

I put a call to him.

He picked up on the first ring.

“How is she?” I asked by way of greeting.

“She’s doing good. She picked up a few more shifts here at the club. Looks like she’s trying to keep busy.”

My fingers clenched around my phone.

Once I made it known that she was mine, she wouldn’t have to fucking work another day in her life.

She would be waited on, hand and foot.

“She looks sad,” Raphael said.

I could guess why.

“Thank you. Just keep an eye on her.”

“You got it, boss,” he said, and something about his voice gave me pause.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Yes. Why wouldn’t I be?” he said unemotionally.

I shook my head. Something was up with Raphael, but I wouldn’t fucking find out what it was right now. The fucker could be closed-lipped when he wanted.

“I’ll be home soon,” I said and hung up.

I stayed in the car for a moment longer, looking out the window.

Nikolay and Mikhail were still outside. They stood side by side on the porch, talking, when the front door opened, and a small woman with big brown eyes and a sweet smile rushed out the door.

She wrapped one arm around Mikhail, then reached over and pulled Nikolay closer to them, kissing the other man’s cheek.

I watched as the two men I’d known for nearly two decades softened in her presence. They had been nothing but hard men for the majority of our friendship.

Did having a woman you loved in your arms do that to you?

I didn’t fucking know, and at this point, I wasn’t sure if I was a man capable of love.

Movement behind the three of them caught my attention. Damien stood by the door, the twin boys wrapped tightly on either side of him.