With the setup we had installed on the island, I’ll be able to help Alexei keep track of the underground chatter.

It takes a couple of hours before I steer us into the natural harbor, where I dock the boat.

We’ll be able to lie low for as long as it takes. The island has a windmill, providing water from a pond, and an underwater electric cable supplies all the power we’ll need.

I look over to the mansion Alexei had built. My friend has a fondness for luxury. The double-story house has five bedrooms on the upper level, and the ground floor consists of the living room, kitchen, gym, entertainment room, and dining room. The basement has been converted into an armory and security room. A deck surrounds the house with a hot tub out back. Half of the island’s surface consists of rocks and a helipad, and the other half is covered with pine trees.

Even though you can see the mainland, we’re secluded enough.

Slipping my arms beneath Ariana, I lift her body to my chest and step off the boat. Reaching the front door, I key in the code, and then it swings open. As I walk into the entrance, lights begin to flicker on from the movement.

I take Ariana to one of the guest rooms, and after laying her down on the bed, I remove the blanket and untie her wrists and ankles.

My eyes drift over her, and reaching for her neck, I brush the blond strands of hair away and frown at the red marks I left on her pale skin. Again it strikes me that she looks nothing like Sergei and Yuri.

I take in her feminine features, the bow of her eyebrows, the straight line of her nose, and her full lips. High cheekbones add to her stunning beauty.

She’s easily half my size, and as my gaze drifts over her slender arms and torso, red abrasions on her arm remind me of the fall.

Walking out of the bedroom, I head to the room that’s rigged with our medical supplies. I grab some antiseptic wipes and balm, then go back to Ariana. Sitting down on the side of the bed, I take hold of her arm and gently wipe the dirt from the wound. I dab on the balm then lower her arm back to the bed. Checking the rest of her body, I find more abrasions peeking from beneath the waistband of her leggings. Tugging the fabric slightly down her hip, I quickly clean the scrapes.

My eyes drift over her body again, and I can’t ignore the swells of her breasts that are clearly visible under the thin fabric of her shirt.

She’s just another woman.

I use the other half of the bedding to cover her, then leave the room. I pull the door shut behind me as I take my phone from my pocket. All our devices are encrypted, even though it would be stupid for someone to try and hack or trace us. Rather safe than having to deal with an unwelcome problem.