His mouth hardens. “She fucked me over. Literally. So yeah, I want to get my hands on the little bitch. But I also think she might have some useful info for us.”

I consider that for a moment, then nod. “In that case, go for it.” It would be hypocritical of me to deny Lucas some fun with the pretty blonde. If he wants to personally make her pay for the plane crash, I see no harm in that.

She would’ve been dead before long in Moscow anyway.

“Did you already negotiate this with the Russians?” I ask as we resume walking.

Lucas nods. “Initially, they tried to say they’d only deal with Sokolov, but I convinced them it wouldn’t be wise to get on your bad side. Buschekov saw the light when I reminded him of the recent troubles at Al-Quadar.”

“Good.” If even the Russians are inclined to accommodate me, then my vendetta against the terrorist organization achieved its intended effect. Not only is Al-Quadar utterly decimated, but my reputation is substantially enhanced. Few of my clients are likely to double-cross me now—a development that promises to be good for business.

“Yes, it’s helpful,” Lucas echoes my thoughts. “She’ll be arriving here tomorrow.”

I raise my eyebrows, but decide against commenting on the speed of this development. If he wants to play with the Russian girl this badly, it’s his business. “Where are you going to keep her?” I ask instead.

“In my quarters. I’ll be interrogating her there.”

I grin, picturing the interrogation in question. “All right. Enjoy.”

“Oh, I will,” he says grimly. “You can bet on it.”

After I take a shower, I go looking for Nora. Or, rather, I check my computer for the location of her embedded trackers and go directly to the library, where she must be studying for her finals.

I find her sitting at a desk facing away from me, typing furiously on her laptop. Her hair is tied up in a loose ponytail, and she’s wearing a huge T-shirt that falls down to her knees.

My T-shirt, from the looks of it.

She’s started doing that lately when she has to study. Claims my T-shirts are more comfortable than her dresses. I don’t mind in the least. Seeing her dressed in my clothes only emphasizes the fact that she’s mine.

Both she and the baby she’s carrying.

She doesn’t react as I step into the room and walk up to her. When I reach her, I see why.

She’s wearing headphones, her smooth forehead wrinkled in concentration as she pounds at the keyboard, her fingers flying over the keys with startling speed. For a second, I consider leaving her to it, but it’s too late. Nora must’ve seen me out of the corner of her eye, because she looks up and gives me a dazzling smile, removing her headphones.

“Hi.” Her voice is soft and a little husky. “Is it dinnertime already?”

“Not quite.” I smile back and place my hands on the nape of her neck. Her muscles feel tight, so I begin kneading them with my thumbs. “I just did a few rounds with my men and came here to take a shower before I go back to my office. Figured I’d check on you on the way.”