Page 81 of Owned By Shadows

“Hey, guys, listen to this,” Bubby says from across the aisle, and I turn to see him hit a button on his laptop, the sound of deep Russian voices filling the space.

My heart thuds, my hand squeezing Roman’s where he’s still holding it.

“We don’t speak Russian, Bubs,” Hunt drawls.

“According to the translation, they’re talking about how bored they are,” Bubby tells us, a grin on his boyish features. “While they wait for our plane at Heathrow.”

“It worked,” I whisper, blinking. Nik’s plan was to lead a trail of false information about us landing at Heathrow in the hope it would get back to Sergi and he would focus there, not on where we were actually landing.

“Nik’s plans often do,” Andrei states, packing his charts away and adjusting one of the monitors.

The plane dips more sharply, Bubby swallowing hard even as Hunt teases him for it. Poor kid. There’s a minor bump, then we’re slowing down, the noise loud but not unbearable as we land on the runway at Northolt military base, just outside of London.

I’ve no idea how Nik managed to secure it. He clearly has some friends in very high places. I’m grateful, because hopefully, those friends will also provide the protection we need as we leave. I cast a look at Hunt, whose eyes are on the window as he stares at everything happening outside, clearly still in surveillance mode and making sure we will not be ambushed.

I can’t see much out of my window, so I just sit there, waiting for the plane to do whatever it needs to do as we come to a gentle stop.

“I’ll unhook you from these for now, Iris. I have a small portable monitor we can use until we get you to a secure location,” Andrei tells me, getting up and finally, blessedly, taking off the monitors that I’ve been strapped to the whole time.

“Thank fuck, I need to pee,” I tell him, and Roman laughs next to me, bringing my hand up to his lips.

“You used to be such a well-spoken girl, my love.” He chuckles, and my lips twitch because he’s right. I have definitely cast aside most of my Wyndham’s training.

It takes a few minutes for us to be ready to leave, which is lucky because I get to pee, and the only reason Hunt doesn’t sweep me up into his arms is because there isn’t really room even if this is medical transport. It’s a different story when we reach the metal stairs that lead down to the tarmac though. No sooner have we stepped out than Hunt is picking me up, bridal style, and I can’t even be bothered to argue.

Butterflies erupt in my stomach as I spot Nik, Rowan, and Dima amid some guys in military uniform. Hunt takes a single step off the stairs before Nik is cupping my face in his palm, his hand trembling slightly.

“Moye Solntse,” he breathes out like he can barely get the words out. Then his lips are on mine and I’m sinking into his kiss while clinging onto Hunt, who doesn’t move, just lets us haveour reunion. A tightness inside me loosens at his touch. I can feel that he’s unharmed and still here.

“I’m okay, Nik,” I whisper against his lips when he gives me a moment to breathe. His forehead presses against mine, his hand still holding my face.

“I was so worried when I got Bubby’s message,Malyshka.” He places another kiss on my lips, then with great effort, takes a step back.

My eyes widen when I spot the grazes on his face, the hint of a black eye too, but before I can say anything, Rowan fills his spot in front of me.

“We spoke about you taking years off my life, Lamb,” he chides, like I had any control over the situation on the plane.

I go to tell him as much, but his lips slam onto mine, and I taste copper but don’t feel a sting, so he must have split his lip. I have a sinking feeling something happened while we were apart, but can’t dwell on it too much because he demands my attention with his brutal kiss. It’s a punishment and praise all at once. He tells me with his lips, tongue, and even teeth he’s missed me, that he’s glad I’m safe and that we’re back together again.

By the time he pulls away, I’m panting, almost squirming in Hunt’s arms as heat fills my core. Rowan gives me a satisfied, very male smirk as someone behind us clears his throat.

“I take it you are the Russian diplomats?” he asks, though I can tell by his blank expression that he’s playing a part. That perhaps he knows we’re not who we are saying we are, but has been instructed not to question it too deeply. Maybe this is how Nik managed to secure us a spot landing at a Royal Air Force base when we have no military connections that I know of.

“Da,” Nik replies, turning to face the man in a smart military uniform. “And we are so grateful for your help, Major.”

“Of course, Mr Petrov,” the man says, giving a sharp nod. “If you’ll follow me, your transport awaits with an escort, as requested.”

My brows furrow. “Why do we need a military escort?”

The man and a couple of others turn on their very polished heels and stride towards what I assume is the exit.

“It’s safer this way,Dorogaya,” Nik tells me over his shoulder, him and Roman in front, and Rowan behind us with Bubby, Dima, and Andrei.

I shrug, still in Hunt’s arms as we make our way through a silent building to the cars that are waiting outside for us. I forgot how bloody cold December in the UK is as a shiver works its way across my skin.

“We’ll be in the warm soon, Peaches,” Hunt says softly, and I snuggle closer into him, stealing some of his warmth. The man is in just a T-shirt, but still feels like a furnace. It’s at times like this I wish I could crawl inside his skin. He’s always so hot. He chuckles. “I’d let you if I could, baby.”

“I said the whole skin suit thing out loud, didn’t I?” I cringe. That medication is still clearly throwing me for a loop.

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