He swept his arm around her and took her with him to the door. Bending down, he cupped her face in his hands. “I’ve got to go, malyutka, but I’m assured this won’t take very long. Jake and Eli will be in here with you. There will be two of my men just outside the door. If you need me for anything at all, you tell them and one will come get me.”

His blue eyes moved over her face, and her heart clenched. He was certainly giving away the fact that he cared about her now. He kept his voice very low, but there was no mistaking body language.

“I mean what I say, Evangeline. Any reason at all. You’re uncomfortable, you need to send for me. Understand?”

She knew she would be all right. Just knowing he was leaving two men behind in case she needed him meant the world. She’d wondered why he’d brought along Kirill and Matvei. She was getting to know them. She knew Kirill and Sevastyan had been childhood friends. Matvei was also from the same lair. He’d followed Kirill and Sevastyan to the United States and then to San Antonio.

“I will,” she agreed.

“Kiss me.”

His order shocked her. If he was trying to play it cool, he wasn’t succeeding. She didn’t hesitate. Her arms went around his neck, she leaned her body into his and brought his head down even as she went up on her toes. He tasted like love to her. Like everything sensual. Dark, dangerous and wholly wonderful. Her tongue tangled and danced with his, and then he took over, the way he often did when he was kissing her, sweeping every sane thought away until there was only feeling. Only Alonzo.

“I’ll hurry,” he said, lifting his head slowly, taking his time in the same way he had with his kisses. “Enjoy yourself.”

“I will.” She watched him leave with Elijah. He was so beautiful, that fluid, easy way he moved in silence. When she turned back, all three women were staring at her.

“Oh. My. God.” Siena immediately was out of her chair and coming across the room toward Evangeline. “That was so beautiful. The way he looked at you. The way he touched you. I wanted that for him.” She kept coming until she had Evangeline enveloped in her arms. “I think of him like my brother. I never had any siblings, so I’ve claimed Alonzo. Thank you. Thank you for giving him that.”

Evangeline was terrified Siena would get hurt just walking around. “Are you supposed to be up?”