Page 64 of The Watcher's Bride

“As much as I’d enjoy fucking you all night too, it’s your first time, you’ll be sore. We’ve got every day for the rest of our lives to make up for it,” he promises.

I’d almost forgotten that he’s my husband, that we’re married. The thought no longer fills me with dread, quite the opposite.

I grin up at him and kiss him back. “I’ll hold you to that promise.”

Chapter 39

Leo

Nora never ceases to surprise me. After the revelation that I was the one who had been watching her, I thought she would hate me, that it would ruin the small tentative connection we’d formed. Yet instead, she threw herself into my arms and finally gave herself to me.

If that wasn’t confirmation that we’re meant to be together, I don’t know what is. My perfect, beautiful, strong wife.

In the week since, we’ve hardly left the bedroom other than to eat. I can’t get enough of her. From that first night, she has slept beside me, officially moving into my room. Some nights I find myself watching her sleep like I used to back in New York. It feels like a world away now.

I wish we could remain in this bubble forever, but I can’t shirk my responsibilities to the family and my Pakhan. The honeymoon period he granted me is officially over. As of today, I must resume my duties.

I can only imagine the type of mundane and humiliating tasks Dimitri has in store for me. Either that or I’ll be on execution duty. I know how Dimitri’s mind works. He’s seen that I have feelings for Nora, feelings he believes make me weak. He’ll want to toughen me up again, get my hands dirty, and bring back the attack dog that kills on command.

I have no qualms about killing, I’m good at it. It doesn’t cause me sleepless nights, and I don’t regret murdering our enemies. But I do wonder how Nora will react. I don’t want to hide this side of me, though she’s seen it before, but will she believe killing is justified if no one is in immediate danger, if I’m killing a man I don’t know simply because my Pakhan told me to? I believe she’ll understand. Nora not only accepts but embraces the darkness inside me.

I take one last lingering look at her peacefully sleeping beside me before I reluctantly climb out of bed and get ready. My uncle has called for an early meeting, and I can’t risk being late. I kiss her cheek and leave a note for her, letting her know when I’ll be back.

***

The sun is just peeking above the horizon as I leave, opting to take my sports car instead of the driver—just because I have to be up early doesn’t mean the poor bastard does.

I drive with the roof down, enjoying the breeze and enjoying how few other cars are out this early. If there’s one thing I hate about LA, it’s the traffic. I drive fast but not recklessly, enjoying the feel of the powerful engine under my control. It’s not often I get to go on drives. I decide that Nora and I should take a trip, driving along the coast. Now that she’s embraced being my wife, I can finally start to spoil her and show her that being a part of a Bratva family doesn’t mean it’s all danger and duty. I can show her that there are some perks, not least that being filthy rich means you can enjoy the finer things in life.

I’m so lost in thought, planning all of the vacations I want to take Nora on, that I’m not as vigilant as usual. I fail to fullynotice the blacked-out SUV that’s been following me for a couple of miles. As we near a particularly deserted stretch of road on the outskirts of sleepy suburbs, the SUV pulls up alongside me to overtake me. My instincts kick in just seconds before it rams into my side, and I manage to swerve to avoid the brunt of the impact. But the car doesn’t relent, it stays beside me, preparing for another attack.

I press my foot down hard on the gas, accelerating ahead of it, but they follow close behind, ramming me from behind. I can’t see the driver and have no idea which enemy is hot on my heels, I simply focus on getting away. But the SUV manages to keep up with me.

I don’t doubt that if they manage to run me off the road, I’m dead. With the roof off, I’m fucked if they roll the car. And if the crash doesn’t kill me, gunmen will come out and finish the job. This isn’t a warning, this is an assassination attempt.

We continue our game of deadly cat and mouse, getting nearer and nearer to civilization. If I can make it, then I’m home free. They won’t risk too many witnesses or a police chase, not if they’re smart.

As we round a bend, I can see taillights up ahead. Almost there.

There’s the sound of crushing metal as the SUV manages to make contact, hitting the back of me. I lose control of my car and suddenly, I’m headed right for a tree. There’s the bright flash of lights and the blaring of a horn—there’s a moment of the impact, a flash of pain.

Then everything goes black.

***

I awake in a hospital bed, confused for a moment before I recall the events of what happened.

How the fuck am I still alive?

“Leo? Oh, thank god, you’re awake!” Nora’s voice pulls me into full consciousness, and I look up at her tear-stained face.

“What happened?” I ask, hoping she might be able to shed some light on why they didn’t finish the job.

“The man who found you saw the whole thing, said some car crashed into the back of you then drove off without stopping, a hit and run. The doctors said you’re lucky to be alive. If you weren’t wearing your seatbelt or if the car had rolled…” She trails off at the thought of what might have happened.

A lucky escape. If there hadn’t been witnesses, I’d be dead.

“My injuries?” I ask.

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