I dial Alexei’s number.

“Talk to me,” he answers.

“We’re safe.”

“How did it go?” he asks.

I let out a huff. “That favor you owe me? It’s going to be fucking big,” I mutter as I walk to the security room.

Alexei lets out a burst of laughter, clearly entertained by me. “Come on. One little woman. How hard can it be?”

“That little woman has a healthy set of lungs on her.” I turn on the systems. “Did you found out anything new?”

“No. Not yet.”

“It’s not too late for me to take the girl back to her apartment. Are you sure you want to go up against Yuri?”

Alexei lets out a chuckle. “What? And deprive you of your vacation. What kind of friend would I be then?”

“Fuck you,” I mutter. Still, the corner of my mouth lifts because it’s impossible to get angry with Alexei.

“You know I love you, but you’re not my type,” he jokes.

“Thank God,” I chuckle.

Getting back to the problem, Alexei says, “We’ll hear what Sergei wants.”

“And if he wants her dead?” I ask.

“We’ll deal with that when it happens. Relax and enjoy the break.”

“What fucking break? I’m stuck with a girl who’s freaking out.”

“She’ll calm down. Give her time to adjust,” Alexei says.

I let out a dissatisfied huff. “One day, I’ll cash in the favor, and it won’t be something you like, and you better do it.”

Alexei begins to laugh. “I look forward to the challenge.”

“I’m going to leave my phone in the security room so she can’t call for help. I’ll check it three times a day.”

“Okay. Try to relax while you’re there.”

“Not gonna happen,” I chuckle. “Watch your back.”

“I will.”

After we end the call, I dial Damien’s number. My brother got married a couple of years ago and lives on a private island near Finland. I don’t see him as much as I’d like to, but we keep in touch.

“Hey, how are you?” he answers.

“Good. Just wanted to let you know I’m disappearing for a while. If you need something, call Alexei.”

“Why won’t you be with Alexei?” Damien asks, concern instantly creeping into his voice. He knows I’m always by Alexei’s side.

“I’m guarding an innocent. If anyone, and I mean anyone, calls you to ask where I am, just say you haven’t heard from me in a while. Watch your back.”

“Okay, but let me know if you need back up.”

Hearing how worried my brother is, I say, “I’ll be fine. I’m laying low in a safe house. Only Alexei knows where it is.”

“Good. Call me as soon as you can.”

“I will.”

Ending the conversation, I set the phone down on the desk and glance over all the monitors before heading to the bedroom I’ll be using. After taking a quick shower, I dress in a black pair of cargo pants and a white t-shirt.

I stop by Ariana’s room to check on her, and seeing she’s still unconscious, I go downstairs to the kitchen.