The Other Man

ALEKSANDR

Kaia was out like a light the moment she settled into the back of the SUV. The night’s events, coupled with the alcohol, had taken their toll, and she could barely keep her eyes open.

I gently pulled her onto my lap, and she snuggled into me, wrapping her arms around me and burying her face into the crook of my neck like a contented kitten.

She felt so tiny in my arms. So delicate. It stirred my protective instincts.

“You smell nice,” she mumbled sleepily, nuzzling my neck and sighing contentedly.

Her innocent gesture made my body tense. I secretly wished she could be this uninhibited with me when she was sober.

“I’m glad you think so,” I responded, turning my head to plant a soft kiss on her temple.

Her hand rose to my cheek, caressing my beard, but when I glanced at her, her eyes were still closed. She probably thought she was dreaming.

“You looked like you wanted to kill me earlier, but now you’re being surprisingly gentle. I didn’t see that coming.”

I exhaled sharply when her fingers traced my lips, fighting the urge to playfully bite them.

“I’m waiting until you’re back in fighting shape before we talk about the repercussions of your actions tonight.”

She made a sound that was a cross between a huff and a groan.

“You’re going to punish me?”

Was it just me, or did she sound intrigued?

“Absolutely. That’s what happens to naughty girls who don’t know how to behave.”

I winced when she shifted in my lap, brushing against my rapidly hardening arousal.

“I’ve never been good at following rules, Aleksandr,” her voice dropped, reminding me of satin sheets and tangled bodies. “You should have realized that before you committed to me for a year.”

She playfully nipped my ear before whispering,

“But if you think I’m so bad, maybe I should leave my mark on you too.”

My fingers tightened around her hips, and I turned to see her eyes open and focused on me.

This woman was going to be the end of me.

“Go ahead, then.” I held her gaze, challenging her to make good on her words. I had no issue wearing her mark with pride. She couldn’t say the same.

Her bravado faded, and her expression turned pained as she pressed a hand to her stomach.

I grabbed a bottle of water from a small compartment in the back where I kept drinks, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to her.

She took a sip before passing the bottle back to me. I pushed it back into her hand, and she rolled her eyes before taking a larger gulp.

“You didn’t say anything about my outfit.”

When she handed me the bottle again, I put it back on the shelf, realizing she wore this outfit just to get my attention.

“Did you enjoy having other men’s eyes on you, kotik?”

She snuggled closer, resting her cheek against my chest and stroking me.

“I don’t care about other men. Just one man.”

My heart pounded under her fingers.

“You won’t even remember this conversation in the morning,” I whispered into her hair.

“Yes, I will.”

Her breathing became shallow before evening out as she drifted back to sleep.

A few minutes later, the steady rise and fall of her chest confirmed she was sound asleep.

Niko asked from the driver’s seat, “Do you want me to assign Savva to be her bodyguard?”

I was still gazing at Kaia’s peaceful face when I answered.

“You read my mind.”

Savva was one of my most feared enforcers. Kaia wouldn’t be able to charm him like Stasya did with Kir and Feliks. I was confident he could keep her safe. Clearly, Niko felt the same since he suggested him.

I finally tore my gaze away from Kaia to ask Niko.

“Did you get any leads?”

He shook his head.

“Nothing yet. The guy was alone, dressed in black with no identifiable prints or symbols. He wore a balaclava, so most of his face was hidden,” Niko reported. “He also seemed to know where all the cameras were because he was careful to avoid them. It’s a shame Kaia didn’t get a good look at him. It would have helped.”

Kaia lay there, looking as pure as an angel. Her innocence was as vast as the sky, yet she held secrets just as wide.

“She did,” I said.

Niko’s gaze met mine in the mirror, confusion etched on his face.

“What?”

I gently traced the curve of Kaia’s cheek with my knuckle, a small smile playing on my lips as her nose crinkled in response.

“She saw him,” I explained to Niko. “Kir told me he removed his mask right before he left through the exit. He wanted her to see his face.”

Niko let out a low curse under his breath.

“Why didn’t she say anything?” he asked.

I could only think of one reason.

“Because she’s protecting him.”

And just like that, I had the answer I’d been searching for.