Page 52 of The Brigadier

I pulled her as close as possible, wondering if I was holding a grenade, my finger where the pin used to be.

My brother also knew something, which was just as disconcerting as everything else. Him purposely lying to me was something I didn’t remember occurring before. I would remind him that he’d be nothing without my assistance, including a loan I’d provided years before. Sure, I’d told myself I’d never remind him of it, his payment in return substantial, but I had a feeling a reminder now would be prudent.

She murmured in her sleep, even pressing kisses against my neck. The bed smelled of sex, round two just as vigorous as what had occurred in the kitchen. We’d laughed our way through attempting to make it look as if nothing had occurred. However, the crack in the wooden bowl was definitely something my little boy would eventually see.

He was perhaps the most observant person I’d ever met in my life. I rubbed my jaw as I thought about how many changes had occurred in my life and his in a short period of time. I hadn’t allowed a woman to spend the night since he’d arrived. Even before that, I’d shied away from allowing any female into my private worlds, including the beach house in Sagaponack. That place was special to me, a getaway only two people knew about: Vadim and Aleksander.

Sighing, I couldn’t help myself, pulling away and rolling over just enough I could kiss her lips while she slept. As well as have my way with her still perky little nipples. God, they were rock hard. I sucked first one then the other, once against relishing her soft purrs and the way her lips twisted.

After she let off an intense sigh seconds later, I found myself grinning like a kid. I returned to my back, folding my arm behindmy head. It wasn’t long until the first small rays of morning light filtered in through the open blinds. It was funny how I’d made certain all blinds were closed prior to the darkness settling in.

Last night, nothing else had mattered but being with her. And she adored staring at the stars. I chuckled, doing my best not to wake her. I doubted I’d achieve extra sleep. I might as well go back to the beginning of what all three of us had learned, which seemed abysmal at this point. There were some days I wished for the good ole days I’d heard about. Men with guns, not sophisticated computers and modern technology.

However, I couldn’t lie; without the significant changes made to our profession, it wouldn’t have been as easy to legitimize.

Emails.

Texting.

Internet banking.

Hell, even using the dark web and hiring the best hackers in the world had seemed prudent. Just the new norm of doing business.

Maybe the Chernoff Empire had tried too hard to become legitimate, including giving to charities. We hadn’t been watching our backs well enough.

I carefully eased from the bed, ensuring she was covered by the sheets and comforter. After grabbing a pair of sweatpants from my dresser drawer and sliding into them, I stood at the bedroom window for a few seconds. How often had I bothered to pay any attention to the sunrise, the beautiful colors adding a shimmer on the ocean water?

Hell, I couldn’t remember. Wasn’t that the way of the world? You worked so hard you could never appreciate what you had.

That had to end.

Yawning, I headed for my suit jacket I’d at least remembered to retrieve, yanking the weapon into my hand, my phone next. This one belonged in my locked desk drawer. I also had one in this room, taped to the underside of the nightstand drawer.

And of course, I had a complete weapons cubbyhole secured where no one could find it.

I slipped from the room, taking one last longing look that made my cock swell. Maybe she could get more of a good night’s sleep. After everything she’d been through, she certainly needed it.

My ears remained perked as they always did as I padded downstairs, heading to the kitchen for coffee. That came first on a morning like this.

All because I’d finally allowed my guard to fall. The grin remained as I walked into the kitchen, stopping short when I could swear that I could still gather a whiff of our sexual escapade. I couldn’t help but laugh as I searched the bottom cabinets for an air freshener of any kind. Thankfully, the amazing woman who cleaned my house usually made certain the household had everything.

I sprayed a generous amount into the air, enough so I coughed more than once. That should do it. The coffee had strange new choices including blueberry and raspberry chocolate. Chantel’s influence no doubt.

What the heck. Blueberry might be good for a change. I popped the pod into the machine and within seconds, the scent filling the air was delicious. Incredible.

I was half laughing as I took my coffee cup to the back. The taste was better than I’d expected, fresh with the aroma sliding up my nostrils. Yes, perhaps her influence in many things was something I needed.

The ringing of my phone so early instantly put me on edge. It wasn’t even seven in the morning.

“Vadim.”

It was all I needed to say.

“Some fuckers attempted to break into the house about an hour ago. They cut the electricity and scaled the walls. That they weren’t noticed by my men indicates they were military trained.” He was exasperated, more so than I’d heard him be in a long time.

“Fuck. Please tell me they didn’t break through the security system.”

“No. I had a different series of trip wires, the generator kicking in about the same time. The exterior lights did their job. My men crushed down on them like flies on honey. One of the assailants, and there had to be eight, was shot but the fucker got away. They all did. How the fuck could that happen? Who the hell is this asshole?”