I watch as he pulls the door shut and then turn to look at the place I used to call home. Now it just feels empty.

Walking to the bedroom, I crawl onto the bed and slump down on top of the covers, and then I cry for the love I had to give up.

There are no words to describe what I’m feeling. It’s like cancer is ravaging every happy feeling I’ve ever had.

Demitri became my life, and without him, it will be near impossible to simply exist.

DEMITRI

Two days after Ariana left, I step off the jet. Alexei sat with me until I was calm enough to start thinking clearly.

I still don’t know why she left, but it’s definitely not because she doesn’t know how she feels about me. The day she left, I believed her because it made sense that staying with me would be hard for any normal person. I don’t live an easy life.

But then I got to thinking of how well Ariana handled everything during our time together. I remember the way she looked at me before I got shot – like I was her life.

When I woke up, that’s when she was different. So either the shootout and me getting hurt scared the living shit out of her, or there’s something I’m missing.

Nikhil meets me with a frown. “I thought Sacha was coming.”

“He’s staying with Alexei. Give me an update.”

“She hasn’t left the apartment since I dropped her off.”

I instantly frown. Knowing there’s no food at her place, I ask, “Did she have food delivered?”

“No.”

My worry grows as I stop by the passenger door of the SUV. “Did you check on her?”

“Yes. She replies to the messages.”

“But you haven’t actually seen her?” I ask, anger shimmering through in my voice.

“No. You said not to smother her. I figured she wanted to be alone.”

Taking a calming breath, I climb into the car. When Nikhil pulls away from the landing strip, I say, “You’ll take the day shift, and I’ll take the night shift.”

“Okay. Where to?”

“Ariana’s place,” I mutter as I open the bag I brought along. I take out a couple of surveillance cameras. “You’ll check on her and plant these so I can see what’s going on in that apartment.”

“Okay.” Nikhil drives us through the city, and as we stop across the road from Ariana’s building, I breathe a little easier, knowing how close I am to her.

“Don’t let her see you plant the cameras,” I remind him, even though I don’t have to.

“Okay.” Nikhil gets out of the car, and I watch as he crosses the road and disappears inside the apartment building.

Pulling the laptop out, I open it and bring up the screen that shows me the cameras. All three remain static, and then finally, one comes on, and I get a view of the living room, front door, and kitchen.