Page 38 of Heritage of Fire

“You could go stay with your parents?” I ask. “If you’re uncomfortable here, Frank or Lev could take you.”

As soon as the words “Lev” and “could take you” leave my mouth, I regret them. My grip tightens on my duffel, and my back teeth grind together.

“I, uh, would prefer not to go home. Is—is it okay if I stay here?”

I’d assumed going home would be a comfort to her, and I’m confused as to why a daughter would prefer to stay alone than with her flesh and blood. Her comments about a mother’s love, and the tears she’d blinked away that night poke at the back of my mind.

The gnawing on her lip is driving me insane, and I toss my duffel, opting to stride over to her. I cup the side of her face, my fingertips pressing lightly into her soft cheeks, the supple skin begging me to keep touching her. I thumb her bottom lip out from under her teeth. Her eyes widen with shock, but, as a bonus, her frown turns up.

“Luna, this is your place now. You can stay if you want.”

I force myself to step away. Hell, I shouldn’t have touched her.

I walk back to grab my duffel then head toward the door. My pace slows with each stride. Indecision wars within me, and I exhale heavily.

Screw it.

“Do you want to come?”

I’m going to be in so much shit. I’m equal parts relievedandangry that I asked the question. Part of me wants her to say no. To tell me to have a safe flight and that she’ll see me when I get home. But another part of me, one that’s growing terrifyingly strong, wants her to say yes. Towantto come. Plus, the thought of Lev here with her—nyet.

“Um, is that allowed?” she asks. It’s an excellent question, one I know the answer to ashell no, but I shrug.

“Probably not, but Luka would understand if you’d feel more comfortable.”

“Would you mind? I’ll stay out of your way, I just—” She glances around the apartment, a nervous twitch dotting her features. “I just—” She can’t finish her sentence. Although, there’s no reason for her to. I know what she needs.

“Get a bag packed.”

With Luna sitting in the seat next to me, I pull into the private airport and drive right to the jet on the tarmac. My heart beats faster as I come to terms with what I’m about to do.

I give her an easy smile, trying to mask my undoubtedly apparent nerves. Ready to get this over with, I open the door and step out.

Luka is on the phone with someone as he waits on the bottom steps of the plane. He looks over and lifts a hand to wave, his face instantly going stone cold. Luna’s door slams, and that infuriating scent of hers dangles like a carrot in front of me as she walks my way.

I lead her over to the steps and pause as Luka holds up a hand to me, finishing his phone call. “Love you, too, Kate.”

When he hangs up, his eyes glare at me, then he grabs my elbow pulling me to the side. Luna stays put, eyes lowered to the asphalt, her hands crumpled into fists around her small bag.

“What the hell is this?” Luka demands. At least he has the decency to ask in a hushed tone.

“Luka, I’m sorry, but when I told her I was leaving, she looked lost.”

“She isn’t a stray cat, Nikolai. She’s yourwife. She could’ve stayed with her parents or Kate if she was uncomfortable.”

He reprimands me, and it takes all my willpower and strength to just take it. This is the pakhan speaking to me, not Luka. I don’t have much more of an explanation to offer. In fact, I’m slightly concerned with the current state of my brain chemistry. What was I thinking?

“I mentioned her family. She said no. It was my idea to bring her, Boss.”

“It’s dangerous, Nik. Why do you think I leave Kate when we have these meets?”

A chill races through my veins. I hadn’t thought of that. Now I’m concerned for her safetyandannoyed at myself that I let her affect me so much.

“What do you want me to do? I can call Frank to come get her.” I take out my phone, but Luka reaches out and lowers it, looking me straight in the eye.

“She can come, Nik, but I need you focused.” Luka smirks. “Who knows, maybe she will be useful.”

A growl threatens to vibrate from my chest. I shove it back down.

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