Page 110 of Scarred Ruin

“You need to get that,” I whispered.

“Yes. Nothing to worry about.” He moved back, ripping down his beard before answering. “Yes.”

Within seconds, I knew something was wrong. Not only was he even stiffer than before, but he oozed rage. I’d seen him this way before. I’d also experienced his sleepless nights and times when he’d seemed so lost in his thoughts that when I’d walked into the room, he’d almost reached for his weapon.

I knew he was hoping for revenge, the need keeping the darkness just below the surface, which was why the times like tonight were so special. For just a little while he wasn’t the man tortured by the murder of his wife or the father of a child who’d almost been abducted.

I got off the desk, standing in front of it with my arms crossed.

We’d had weeks of being almost normal, although I’d always questioned what that meant in a world where danger could occur at any time. How had I sold myself on wanting to be with him other than the obvious?

By reminding myself that bad things happened to good people all the time.

When he was like this, he was the man I was falling in love with. Now I sensed at least for a little while everything was about to change.

He spoke in Russian and his entire face was clenched while doing so. When he issued orders, and I knew that’s exactly what he was doing, his hand motions indicated his fury.

As soon as he ended the call, the low and husky growl he uttered sent an icy shiver down my spine.

“What happened?”

“One of our warehouses was hit.”

“What do you mean hit?”

“It’s burning, Isabel. Three of my men are dead, two more injured.”

“What? Who?”

“That’s what I’m going to find out.” He took long strides toward me, pulling me toward him. “You are not going to fight me on this, Isabel. The man you saw at the school was seen at the docks. I’m not taking any chances. My men will take you to my house where they will stand guard. Get your things.”

“Maxsim.” Wait. What? The man at the school months ago?

He placed his finger over my lips. “I need to do this. I need to discover once and for all the person responsible and I will. Once I do, I’ll finish this.”

I pulled one arm free, placing it against his chest. “You’re not that man any longer, Maxsim.”

“What man is that?”

“A killer.”

He rubbed the back of his hand down my cheek. “That’s where you’re wrong, Isabel. I am that man. I will always be that man. But I promise I will return. Take care of my daughter for me.” When he backed away, I was pulled into a dozen emotional spaces, all of which were filled with fear and anger. For him. For the men whose lives were lost.

And for us.

I could already see the change, a tumultuous burning need that would never let him go.

He walked to the door, stopping just before unlocking and opening it, all while ripping off parts of his costume. “Whatever happens, keep Mina close. She thinks of you as her mother.”

His words hit me hard, so much so a moan slipped free.

In the next seconds, he was gone.

And I was terrified that I’d never see him again.

CHAPTER 23

Maxsim