Page 80 of Crimson Oath
“And not because she is terrified of me,” Oleg added. “Because she knows that what I am asking is important for our organization.”
“I’m not going to ask.”
“You should.” He propped his chin on his fist and stared at the small black rectangle where his lover was speaking.
“I don’t work for you anymore,” she said. “It’s none of my business.”
“But it could be. I would actually like to have your opinion on this, but considering I know where you’re hiding?—”
“I’m not hiding,” she said. “I’m taking a very luxurious vacation with interesting people.”
“Camping for six months is not a luxurious vacation, volchitsa. Not when you could be spending your summer on a yacht in the Mediterranean with me.”
She was silent.
“Would you like to change your plans?” He smiled. “I have a lovely, light-safe vessel docked in Portofino. Give me the word and?—”
“I love it here actually.”
He barely suppressed his sigh. He was both relieved and irritated. “Well… good. Radu isn’t a bad sort, and he will keep you safe.”
Because if he does not, I will hunt him down, pull his heart from his chest, and feed his innards to my wolfhounds while hewatches.
Oleg didn’t say that aloud.
And he wouldn’t have to feed Radu to his wolfhounds. Despite his irritation with Tatyana’s second disappearance, the creeping fear he’d been enduring for over a year while she resided in the Fire King’s court had eased. Living with the Poshani was the safest she could be outside his own aegis.
“There is something very precious here.” She spoke softly. “Something… sort of wonderful.” Her voice was even more addictive when it was soft.
“What is it?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“Tatyana—”
“Have you visited the farm lately? My mother said workers came and fixed the roof of the barn. She hadn’t even told anyone it was leaking.”
“I told you I’d take care of your mother.” He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back, closing his eyes as he pictured Tatyana curled up somewhere. She would have her feet up in her chair because she was small and didn’t like her legs dangling. “I’ve been busy in the city,” he continued. “But I’ll try to visit her soon.”
“You don’t have to visit her.”
“I know you call, but she misses you. You should?—”
“Don’t ask me to come back again.” Her voice was nearly a whisper. “Please don’t, Oleg.”
He felt his fangs aching in his jaw, but he kept his eyes closed and pictured Tatyana as if she were sitting in front of him. Sitting on his lap, her head resting on his chest. He could wrap his arms around her and listen to her slow heartbeat. Her long hair might tangle in his beard.
Such an odd, domestic image. The ache was twisting in his chest again, and he curled his hand into a fist. “I want you back.”
“Please, Oleg. Don’t?—”
“I miss you.” He reached out, slammed his hand on the phone, and the plastic device sizzled and melted underhis flaming hand.
Mika raised an eyebrow.“You broke another phone?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
