Page 63 of Bedazzled
I picked up on the first ring. “Hello?”
“I had a feeling you’d be hovering over your phone, Tania dear,” he said.
“Just like a fourteen-year-old waiting for her first crush to call,” I agreed flatly, watching Yuri’s fists tighten.
“Flattered, I’m sure,” he said, “though I imagine you’re interested in the comings and goings of a certain Irish Mob? I’m surprised the Morozov brothers didn’t figure it out on their own, they have several skilled spies infesting the streets of Dublin as we speak.”
“Apparently not that skilled,” I sighed, “so, what do you think? This is important. I know you’re already waist-deep and you know the Morozov Bratva will give you what you want.”
“True,” he allowed, “but even when you’re in bed with someone, a little extra courting never hurts.”
Rubbing my eyes to stave off the headache that was blooming, I impatiently said, “Oh, Nolan you’re my hero. You are the best, Nolan. What a guy. You have great hair. And I like your shoes.”
Yuri’s expression was thunderous.
“So gracious darling, thank you,” O’Rourke said, grinning as if he knew Yuri was sitting right across from me. “I suppose we are close enough to the grand event to coordinate our plans. Go ahead and give the phone to your husband.”
“Thank you Nolan,” I dutifully recited, ready to roll my eyes hard enough to see the back of my skull after I handed my phone to Yuri.
“Tania?”
I pulled the phone back to look at the screen. “Yes?”
He gave me a huge smile, every one of his perfectly straight, white teeth on display. “I will be calling your favor due, very soon.”
The cold sweat on my forehead and the back of my neck made me nauseous. “Yeah, I’ll be mainlining antacids until I know what you want.” Handing the phone to Yuri with relief, I ran my hand over my face. I really wish he hadn’t smiled at me. I shuddered, getting up to go change my silk shirt before I ruined it.
Yuri found me outside, tucked in one of the big wicker seats.
“Thank you, I didn’t want you speaking with him,” he grumbled, giving me a kiss.
“Did you get what you needed?” I asked.
“I did,” he admitted, not looking at all happy about it. “I do not like him taunting you about this favor. You need to let me know right away when he tells you what he wants from you. You should notowehim anything.”
“Well, I do. Owe him something, I mean,” I said seriously, “I could have screwed up things so badly between you and the other Bratva that people would have died because of my selfishness in wanting you back. I do owe him a debt and I will pay it.”
Kissing me, Yuri stroked my cheekbone with one thumb. “Whatever he asks, you and I will face it together.”
Yuri…
Two days later…
“Ella and Maksim are arriving today.”
Tania was attempting to fasten her dress, and I stepped behind her, trailing my knuckles on the soft skin of her back as I pulled the zipper up and enjoyed her little shiver.
“I’m so glad,” she said happily. “Ella and I talked last night but she wasn’t sure when they were flying in.”
“It’s important to have the two of you here, safe and together,” I said, resting my chin on the top of her head.
She stilled, looking at me in the mirror with her wide, golden eyes. “Does that mean your… uh… your mission to Dublin is on and you’re… what, consolidating us to coordinate security?”
Squeezing her arms gently, I said, “We leave tomorrow.”
“Are you going to be okay, babe?” She leaned against me. “This is… so much to deal with.”
I placed a kiss on her neck, and then one just under her ear.
