Page 81 of Frozen Heart

I nodded in thanks, then looked around at the mansion. “I’m not sure I’m ever going to get used to this.”

Hailey smiled. “I remember that feeling.”

I looked sideways at her. Started to ask...and then bit my tongue. And then thoughtscrew itand asked anyway. “I heard this story...about you and Konstantin.” I stared at her. Did she really used to look like someone else?Besomeone else? “Is it true?”

Hailey opened her mouth to speak but at that moment, Radimir and Konstantin returned, followed by six of Konstantin’s security team. Hailey gave me a teasing smile, then hugged me goodbye.“Next time,”she promised. I hugged her back, grinning. I felt like I’d made a friend.

Radimir and I climbed into our hire car. Konstantin’s security guys got into a big black SUV that would follow behind us. I suddenly felt a lot better about the drive back to the airport. I pried the five-inch heels off my feet and stretched my throbbing, aching legs. The confidence boost had been worth it, butoww.

I looked up and found Radimir looking at me. “Thank you,” he said solemnly.

I eyed the heels ruefully. “Yeah, well, don’t expect me to wear those except for emergencies. And maybe in the bedroom.”

His eyes flared with lust. Then, “Not just for putting yourself through pain. For everything. For the plan. We have a chance, now.” He shook his head, gazing at me in wonder. “I used to think doing this job meant being on my own. I was wrong: I neededyouby my side. And I used to think it was weak to feel things. Now, I can’t imaginenotfeeling the things I feel for you.”

That flame at the center of me, the one Nathan had snuffed out so completely? It flared and swelled, back to its full size, lighting me up from the inside. I bit my lip, feeling the emotion well up and choke any words. I threw my arms around him and kissed him instead.

Halfway to the airport, we stopped at an intersection. I saw a sign and suddenly put my hand on Radimir’s on the steering wheel. “Queens,” I said, pointing.

Radimir looked at me blankly. “So?”

“If we turn off now, we could be there in a few minutes. We have Konstantin’s men with us, we’ll be safe enough.” Radimir still looked blank. “Isn’t Queens where your old friend lives? Alexei?”

Radimir looked away. Then he looked at the sign. I waited, praying…

But he shook his head and turned towards the airport. “I told you. People like me don’t get to have friends.”

I watched him sadly. He’d changed so much since I met him, he’d letmeget close to him, but he wouldn’t let anyone else. Why? Because of what happened to him and his brothers in Vladivostok, whatever that was? I wanted to help him, but I couldn’t unless he let me. And I wasn’t sure he ever would.

57

BRONWYN

Back in Chicago,Gennadiy couldn’t decide whether he was overjoyed to see us safe or pissed at us for running off and making deals without telling him. He settled for a sort of grumpy relief. “Konstantin,” he muttered, walking out from behind his desk. “I wouldn’t have thought of that. Or offering him a pipeline into Chicago.”

“It was Bronwyn’s idea,” Radimir told him.

Gennadiy turned to me, and I inwardly winced. I’d been hoping Radimir would miss out that part. I’d happily have skipped taking the credit if it meant my new brother-in-law wouldn’t hate me.

But to my shock, Gennadiy stepped forward and embraced me, one of those full-on bear hugs Russians seemed to be so fond of. When he stepped back, he looked me in the eye. “Perhaps,” he said solemnly, “I underestimated you. Welcome to the family.”

I stared at him for a second, overcome. Then I pulledhiminto a hug and stared at Radimir over his shoulder, elated and almost teary. I felt part of something, in a way I hadn’t done in years.

“Konstantin’s men should be here late tonight,” said Radimir as I stepped back. “They have to drive: they couldn’t bring guns on a plane.”

“Just in time,” said Gennadiy. “Spartak took out three bars last night and…” He sat down on the edge of his desk and hung his head. “You haven’t seen the news yet, have you? Spartak burned the stables.” He glanced at me. “We own a few racehorses. Train them.” He looked at Gennadiy. “Josiah, the trainer, did his best to get them all out. He has pretty bad burns to his face.” His voice went tight. “Two horses are dead, and Heaven’s Tears will never race again.”

Radimir squeezed his brother’s shoulder and Gennadiy put his hand gratefully on top. As Radimir led me out of the room, he whispered sadly “Gennadiy would never admit it, but he likes the horses.”

I nodded and looked back through the doorway. Gennadiy had stood up and was busying himself making phone calls. It was worse, somehow, than if he’d just been sitting there sadly. Like Radimir, he wouldn’t let himself show weakness. Radimir still wouldn’t—couldn’t—share his past with me but at least he had me and could sometimes let me see him vulnerable. Gennadiy didn’t haveanyone. We need to find him someone.

“Let’s stop by the penthouse,” Radimir suggested. “I need to pick up some paperwork. We’ll take a couple of guys with us, just to be safe.”

We walked towards the main doors, holding hands. I’d noticed we were doing that a lot, now. When we got outside, a viciously cold wind was sweeping across the driveway and it felt like it cut straight through my coat, clothes and flesh and whistled right over my bones. I winced, sucking in my breath.

“Chyort,” muttered Radimir. “I forgot my phone.”

“Keys!” I said quickly, before he disappeared. “I’ll get the heater on.”