“I thought you might like the rest of the series. Just remember with each one, they do get better. I thought so anyway, and I also found at the end one, I still craved more, but I don’t think the author will be doing another.”

His jaw clenched. He breathed roughly, causing his nostrils to flare.

“Ty tak dobr. Spasibo za etot dobryy podarok.”

“Sorry?” I asked, not understanding a word since I hadn’t magically learned Russian. Okay, I had started to study it online, but he spoke so quickly I didn’t pick up on one word.

“Thank you,” he said. I was sure that wasn’t all he’d said, but I wasn’t going to ask again.

“You’re welcome.” I smiled. When he didn’t say anything and he wouldn’t stop looking at the books, I asked, “Where are we going for dinner?”

“Somewhere.”

“Okay,” I drew out. “Way to be cryptic.”

His grin clutched my heart and warmed my body completely. Not good.

“Come,” he ordered, and turned. We made our way to the elevator, where he pressed the button, and since I hadn’t long arrived, the doors opened straightaway.

Stepping in, I queried, “Am I wearing the appropriate clothes for this mystery place?”

“Da” was all he said before typing something in his phone. Okay then, I guess where we were going wasn’t too fancy.

Panic took me, and I pulled my own phone free. West: We’re on the move. He’s taking me out to dinner.

Death: Where?

West: I don’t know. I think he wants it to be a surprise.

“Tell your guard he can follow. It will be safe where we are going,” Adrik said.

“Um… you know about him?”

He stared down at me. “Da. My men have seen him. It is good to know they take care of their people.”

I nodded with a warm smile. “They do. They’re great like that.” I glanced back down to the phone. Death: This is not good. I’ll call in more people.

I quickly typed out: No need. Adrik said you can follow, and it’s safe where we’re going.

The doors dinged just as Death replied with: Since he knows about me, I want clearance to wherever we’re going.

“Adrik?”

He glanced over his shoulder as we made our way to the guards waiting by the front doors. “Um, my guard would like clearance to wherever we’re going.”

He nodded. “He will have it.”

“Sir, are you sure about taking—”

“Do not ask question again, Leonid.”

Leonid dropped his gaze. “Yes, sir.”

They scrambled to open the doors when Adrik started for them. We went outside, and I saw Death already sitting and waiting in his car. Adrik slipped into the back of a damn limousine. I refrained from clapping in glee at my first ride and climbed in after him.