Page 58 of The Enemy Protector
“You actually think he will be?”
“I don’t know. I’m going home.”
The woman is infuriating. But somehow, I expected nothing less. She called me, I remind myself. The decision is already made even if she hasn’t accepted it.
“Kirill, give me your weapon.”
“The Glock or the Sig?”
I look at Sofia who’s now staring at me with wide eyes.
Good. Let her be afraid. She needs to learn I’m not one to be defied.
“Glock,” I say with my gaze still locked on Sofia.
Her chin rises. She’s not backing down.
Kirill places the gun in my hand. I don’t bother checking the magazine. He wouldn’t carry it if it wasn’t loaded.
I take a few seconds, letting her sit with her panic.
And then I spin it around, the barrel pointing at the ground. “I know you know how to use it. That little thirty-eight won’t do much. This will. Shoot to kill. No hesitation. And then you call me. My men will be to you in thirty seconds.”
She hesitates.
I wait.
And then she reaches for it, checking the safety and popping the magazine out before popping it back in.
“Thank you.”
I’ve watched her at the range. She’s a good shot. The Glock is a little bigger than she’s used to, but I know she’ll handle it fine.
“You’ll have protection—realprotection—starting tomorrow. Tomorrow, we’ll also discuss terms.”
“I haven’t agreed to anything.”
“You will.”
I turn to leave, but her voice stops me.
“Sergei.”
She says my name, and I feel it in places I don’t like admitting exist. I’ve imagined it before. Hearing it is worse.
I have to fight the urge to touch her.
She knows I’m here. I’m her only option. This will happen, and I’ll be ready for it.
“Yes?”
“Thank you. For coming.”
I look at her over my shoulder. She looks young. Vulnerable. Nothing like the fierce woman who walked away from my proposal the first time.
“Don’t thank me yet,” I say. “You haven’t seen my terms.”
I leave before she can respond.
