“We should get cleaned up and get out of here. We can have a shower and get some sleep,” I say as she climbs off my lap. I reach to the back and bring out a box of tissues. We clean up as best we can, trying to look as normal as possible for when we enter the house.

I take her hand and walk with her, passing through the kitchen toward the entrance hall. I stop her.

Something is wrong. There should be a guard here.

“What’s…”

“Hush,” I say quietly. “Stay close.”

I lead her to the end of the kitchen and peek out. Two guards lie in the entrance hall, a pool of blood around their heads.

Before Penny can see it, I pull her back and toward the garage. “What’s going on?” she asks worriedly.

“We need to get out of here. Get in. Buckle up.” I get into the car and get it started. I don’t wait for her to fully buckle up as I reverse out of the garage and back down the drive. I turn into the street and drive, not looking back. Who knows how many of my men are dead?

I reach the gate to Danil’s house, and the guard takes one look at my license plate and then my face before he opens up. He is on his radio, and I’m sure he’s letting someone know to get Danil.

Penny hasn’t said a word. She’s sitting in her seat, shaking in fear. I hate that. I hate that our perfect night was ruined.

I pull up to the house, and several guards surround us, escorting us in. “Someone take Penny up to a quiet room,” I say. “Penny, I’ll be up now.”

She nods and follows the guards as Danil comes downstairs. “What’s happened?” he asks.

“There’s been an attack at my house. The attacker might still be there. Send the men as quickly as you can.” I take out my phone and message Luka to tell him what happened. “I found at least two dead guards. I don’t know how many more are injured or dead.”

Danil starts shouting at his men in Russian, and I dial my mother to make sure she’s okay.

Chapter 16 - Penny

I sit up. It’s pitch dark, and I’m in a room I’m unfamiliar with. I pull on the robe Danil has loaned me over the pants and shirt I’m sleeping in. I walk out of the room, and I’m startled to see two guards there.

“Uh, where is Kervyn?” I ask quietly.

One guard nods down the hall. “Kitchen. I’ll take you.”

“Okay.” I walk hesitantly, and won’t lie, I really wish it was Leon with me. I wonder if he’s okay or if he’s one of the injured or dead at our own home.

It was chaos once we got here. I heard so many voices downstairs shouting commands in Russian and a few in English. I can’t believe someone broke into our home and just attacked our guards like that. I feel so unsafe.

My thoughts immediately went to Zakhar, but I don’t know if he would have that kind of manpower. I realize I don’t know a lot of the inner workings of my soon-to-be family.

I walk ahead of the guard into the kitchen and find Kervyn smoking and a glass of what looks like whiskey in front of him.

“Wish I could join you and have a smoke and a whiskey…” I say quietly as I move toward him.

He stands straight and looks at me. He doesn’t even look tired or bothered, so I ask. “Why aren’t you in bed?”

“Thinking. Thinking way too much, and I was tossing and turning and didn’t want to disturb you.” He gets up and pours me a glass of milk. “You can do everything you want as soon as you’ve had the baby.”

“Except get out of our marriage,” I point out as I take the milk from him.

He gives me a strange look, and I feel as though I’ve hurt his feelings. I sit at the island beside him. “When can we go home?”

“Everything will be cleaned by the morning so we can get you home. There’ll be more guards, and Leon won’t leave your side.”

“Oh, so Leon is okay?” I ask, looking at him.

“Were you worried?” he asks.

“He’s nice,” I say simply.

He downs his drink and puts out his cigarette. “Finish your milk. Let’s go to bed.”

I drink my milk and set the glass down. He reaches for my hand but seems to think better of it and instead places his hand on the small of my back to guide me out of the room.

I let him because now I understand that he has to be perceived in a certain way to be the stoic, strong leader that the families need. I might not completely understand everything, but I appreciate his image is vital to maintain.

I wake up in his arms as the morning light streams in. He’s already awake, simply staring at the ceiling as he absently strokes my back.

“Good morning,” I murmur, pulling away from him. It feels like such an intimate moment, but I don’t know. I am confused about my feelings. The sex is fantastic. I’ve never been pleasured, ever. Period. What he does to me drives me absolutely insane.

But he abducted me from my life, and there’s a part of me that won’t let that go.

“We need to get going. I’ll have a car take you home,” he says as he gets up, unresponsive to my retreat. “There will be more guards. You’ll be safe, I promise. They brought you clothes from the store.” He motions to a chair in the corner.

I look over, and there are fresh clothes there for me. I get up and get changed, keeping my back to him. When I’m finished, I turn to him. “Thank you. Is it safe for Asher to come over to plan the wedding?”

“Yes, it’s fine, but I would prefer for a car to collect her rather than have some random cab drop her off,” he says, putting on his work shirt and buttoning it up.

I nod. “I’ll see you later then.”

“Have a good day,” he says quietly.

I leave, and Leon is standing outside. “It’s good to see you, ma’am,” he says. “Let’s get you home.”

“Can we stop and pick up Asher, please?” I ask.

“I will send a driver for her if you’ll let her know. His name is Currie.” Leon motions for me to walk, and I realize this is what happens all the time. I’m being led everywhere. I sigh and walk back downstairs. I don’t see Danil to thank him for having me, so I leave with Leon and get into the car that’s waiting outside.

I text Asher and then sit back. It’s not a long trip home, though it felt like we couldn’t get away fast enough last night. I didn’t see anything, but I smelt the blood. It’s a distinct smell, and I am worried it will still be about when I enter the house.

I need not have worried, though. I walk into the entrance hall, and everything is as it was, except there are more guards than usual. I didn’t even know that Kervyn had this many men. The kind of manpower he must command is a little sexy, but I would never admit that to anyone.

I have a whole guest room I’ve decided to dedicate to wedding planning, and when Asher gets to the house, Leon has a guard bring her to the room. She smiles and gives me a hug.

“I thought we were only meeting tomorrow,” she says.

“Life is short,” I say, but I don’t want to scare her with what’s happened. I realize now there’s going to be a lot I’m going to have to keep from my best friend. That makes me kind of sad, but I want to protect her. “But I want to plan a wedding, and I think today we’re going to try to start finding samples.”