Reign (The Syndicate_ Crime and Passion Book 2)(39)

“I know,” he replied. “And know that I’ll do the same for Daniela,” he said.





Sixteen





Daniela



“Where are we going?” I asked as we settled in the car and then Sergei pulled off.

Sergei kept his hands on the wheel but lifted one corner of his mouth. “It’s a surprise,” he said.

I thrilled at the sound of his deep voice in the cabin of the car, so silky smooth, reminiscent of how his voice sounded within the walls of our bedroom. And the bathroom. The living room. And just this morning, the kitchen.

“You sure we need to go somewhere?” I asked, letting my own voice lower.

He laughed. “You’re making me reconsider. But this will be worth it. I think,” he added a moment later, voice sobering.

The added words at the end of the sentence gave me pause. Sergei so rarely displayed anything other than complete confidence that I didn’t know what to make of the slight hesitation. But I also knew if he found it important, I was more than happy to be a part of it.

I went quiet and focused on the passing streets, thinking about how far we’d come. From my fear and near hatred of him, to this. Almost gleeful excitement and pure joy simply from being with him. I didn’t know what to make of it, but I did know that I wouldn’t question it.

I reached for him, entwined my fingers with his, and nearly swooned when he gave me yet another one of those one-sided smiles.

“Fancy. And odd,” I said as he pulled to a stop at a small gatehouse.

I knew this neighborhood. It was one that was nice but not one of the city’s wealthier. Sergei nodded at the man in the gatehouse and then drove on after the gates opened.

Realization began to come over me, and the moments of joy I had felt started to dissipate. I’d heard the rumors about this compound, and in an instant, I knew where we were going.

Sergei hadn’t looked at me, but he squeezed my fingers, which made me look over at him.

I’d said nothing, so how did he know that I was feeling such trepidation?

I didn’t know how he knew, but he did, and I would steal his strength.

I’d need it.

He parked and a moment later, he let go of my hand and then circled the car. I used the few seconds alone to breath deep and gather myself. He pulled the door open and then extended a hand.

For a moment, I was transfixed, and though he was dressed casually, a pair of cargo pants and T-shirt, I found him impossibly handsome, even more so than he had been in that tuxedo on the day of our wedding.

Again I realized this was who he was. Not the man in the suits who left each day to do things I didn’t want to think about. No, this was him, strong, confident, but also easy, good-natured. He was sharing his true nature with me, and I instinctively knew that not many got to see it.

I was flattered, excited, and those emotions propelled me out of the car and up the front steps.

The door opened before we reached it, and if I had been surprised and worried before, I was even more so now.

And confused.

“Sergei!”

The short, brown-skinned woman greeted Sergei with the warmth of an old friend, and his bright smile in response gave the same feeling.

“Se, there’s someone I’d like you to meet,” he said.

He put an arm around me, and my shock slackened as I automatically reached out. She did the same and we shook hands, the movement somewhat awkward because of my own surprise. But the smile on her face and in her eyes continued to convey that same warmth she’d shown Sergei.

“Pleased to meet you…”

“Senna. I’m Senna, and I’m pleased to meet you as well, Daniela,” she said. “Please, come in.”

I looked at Sergei skeptically, but between Senna’s smile and his comforting hand on my shoulder, I swallowed my trepidation and entered.

The home was small, and, well, homey.

I’d never lived in a place like this before, one that appeared to be inhabited by normal people. Mine had always been large, a showy palace designed to convey Santo Carmelli’s power, his status.

I would have expected the same from Maxim, who I knew lurked somewhere inside, but so far, I was being proven wrong.

I stood awkwardly in the entryway, but then Sergei patted my arm again, and when I looked into Senna’s eyes, I saw a knowing expression that made me smile.

“Sorry,” I said, laughing at myself.

“It’s all right. We usually have dinner in the kitchen. Is that okay?” she asked.

“Um, sure,” I finally said.

Then I followed behind her, finding this experience surreal. I looked back at Sergei, who was grinning like crazy. He knew exactly how disorientating this was for me, and he was enjoying it.

I’d get my comeuppance later. But now, I would break bread over the table of a sworn enemy.