Ivan(30)

Ivan's stomach clenched. "The drugs?"

"And the money and piles of stolen electronics," Dimitri added. "It's all there plus more."

"I can't believe she used our parents' house like this," Erin whispered, her voice laced with pain. "Doesn’t she realize it can be seized?"

"I don't think she cared," Ivan replied bluntly. "But you bring up a good point. I don't want you to be any part of this."

"But—"

"No." He spoke firmly but gently took her hand to lead her a few feet away. Frustration radiated from her in waves. Running his fingers down her cheek, he said, "This is tricky business, Erin. I need to concentrate. I can't do that if I'm worrying about you."

"Oh." Her annoyance with him fled. "I didn't think of it that way."

"I want you to go back to the hotel and get a room there." He withdrew his wallet and discreetly slipped her a large sum of money. She started to argue with him but he silenced her with a demanding kiss. He plundered her mouth, stabbing his tongue between her lips, and tasting her until she whimpered in his arms.

She sighed softly and pressed her cheek to his chest. "Is that the way it's going to be? Every time I want to argue about something, you're just going to kiss me until I'm dizzy?"

He laughed. "It sounds like a good plan."

She rose on tiptoes and brushed her mouth against his. "A very good plan." Then, more seriously, she begged, "Please be careful, Ivan."

"I will. Text me the hotel room number. I'll be sliding into bed with you in no time."

"Promise?"

He kissed her forehead. "Promise."

Reluctantly, she made her way back to Kostya. He shared a look with his longtime employee. Kostya would protect Erin with the same vigor he had, if the need arose. Standing next to Dimitri, he watched the SUV until the tail lights disappeared from view.

Ivan turned to Dimitri. "Do you have a way to contact Besian?"

"Yes."

"And the Hermanos?"

He hesitated before nodding. "I can use Johnny to get a message through."

"Then do it and let's finish this."



CHAPTER EIGHT



Five Weeks Later



"We're having breakfast here?" Lena wrinkled her nose. "I'd hoped we were going someplace with mimosas on the menu."

I shot her a knowing look. She looked rumpled and worse for the wear this morning. "I think maybe you had enough to drink last night."

"I wish I'd had time to kick back a few shots last night," she grumbled. "This is exhaustion."

"You're a PR girl for one of the hottest clubs in Houston," Vivi replied. "How hard can that be?"

Lena shot her the finger. "That hard."

I snorted with amusement and shoved open the door to the bakery/café I'd come to love. "Dimitri introduced me to this place. The breakfast tacos and pastries here are to die for!"

"I'm not so sure about all these carbs," Lena said as she tucked her sunglasses into her oversized and ridiculously expensive purse. "I had to suck it in just to get into these jeans this morning."

"Then maybe you should try buying jeans in your actual size," Vivi suggested. "No one else sees the number but you, Lena."

She smacked Vivian's tiny butt and made her yelp. "When you finally get out of the toddler section, you can tell me all about buying jeans to fit a donkey booty."

I laughed but gave the pair a hand gesture to tell them to tone it down. The patrons of Benny's bakery weren't the type of crowd who would enjoy talk of big butts and skinny jeans.

As Vivian and Lena talked in hushed tones behind me, I glanced around the bakery. The Saturday morning breakfast rush seemed like good business. Most of the tables were full and the line to order was a decent size. Still, I knew from the little bit I'd pried from Dimitri that the place was struggling.

I caught sight of Benny coming out of the kitchen area. She balanced a huge tray of pastries one hand. Back behind the counter, she handed them off to one of her employees and moved down the line. She noticed me and smiled. Her bright grin infected me with happiness. I don't know that I'd ever met anyone as spunky or fun as Benny.

Before I could turn to tell Lena and Vivi about her, Lena made a strange sound. "Benny Burkhart?"

Laughing, Benny hurried out from behind the counter to hug Lena. "Oh my gosh! How long has it been?"

"Sophomore year at college," Lena said and hugged her back. "I heard you'd left school to help out with the family business. I had no idea it was a bakery!"

"This is it." Benny motioned around the cozy place. "I'm going to school part-time now. I need two semesters before I graduate."