Page 61 of Devious Obsession
He could have been handled this entire time if it was just a matter of paying a bounty. This cabin hasn’t been a hideout from Janis. It’s been me hiding from myself.
So afraid to face everything I’ve done wrong, all the selfish decisions I made, I just kept making them. And this time, I’ve dragged Artem along with me.
When I stay silent, his dark eyebrow lifts into a sharp peek. “I will drag you there myself. But I don’t want to do it that way.”
“You won’t have to that.” I raise my chin. “You’re right. It’s past time to go home. When should we leave?”
His eyes narrow slightly, like he’s not entirely sure he trusts what I’m saying. I can’t blame him. How many times have I pretended to do one thing in order to do another?
“I mean it,” I say solemnly. “Kaz needs me. He needs us. We should go.”
“I have a plane waiting for us at a small airport forty-five minutes from here.”
“Now? You want to go now?” I’m not changing my mind, but really, a little bit of time would have been appreciated.
He lifts a shoulder “No time like the present.”
“You knew. You’ve been planning this the entire day. You didn’t just call up the airport; you had this worked out already.”
He stares at me blankly.
“Artem, I’m right, aren’t I?”
“I needed to be sure I’d be able to get you onto a plane quickly if you decided to give me trouble.” He shrugs casually. “I’ve already packed your clothes.”
“Seriously?” I deadpan. “You really thought you were going to have caveman me out of here?”
“If by that you mean I was going to have to drag you out of here, then I will admit I thought there might be a possibility.”
His little smirk soothes the edges of my irritation. Why wouldn’t he think that? It’s not like I’ve been open to the idea of leaving this place.
“Can I at least use the bathroom before we leave, or do you have backup plan for that too?”
He laughs. “No. You can use the bathroom.”
“Thank you.” I stick my tongue at him as I round the couch and head to the bathroom so I can wash up before I’m forced to face humanity again.
“Two minutes, then I break down the door,” he warns just as I shut the door.
An hour later, we’re in the air, and three hours later we’re in the car headed to Kaz’s townhouse. My stomach is in shambles, rolling over and trembling harder the closer to his place we get.
Artem reaches across the center console and squeezes my hand. “It’s going to be all right.”
I squeeze him back. “I’ve been gone a long time. I know they don’t blame me for what happened with Tony and his brothers, but running away—I’m sure they’re a little pissed about that.”
“You’ve survived worse than Alexander blowing hot air at you.”
“Is he going to be there? I thought it would just be Kaz.”
“I let them know we were coming. Alexander and Ivan are waiting.”
I groan. “That’s a lot to spring on me.”
He pulls through the gates of Kaz’s drive and parks beside Alexander’s SUV. Ivan’s already here, too.
I put my hand to my stomach and close my eyes, taking in a long slow breath.
“You okay?” He eyes me.
