Chapter 19
The house looked just as they’d found it by the time dawn broke. Lev reactivated the alarm before he and Reyna set out. Dawn had yet to break when they started walking.
The air coming off the water was cool, and Lev would have preferred staying in the warm bed with Reyna to being back out in the weather. But neither wanted to chance remaining and being found by the Saints.
Of course, the Saints could find them at any time. But it was harder to do when they were on the move versus sitting in one place, waiting to be located.
Lev took Reyna’s hand in his. She looked his way and smiled. The few blissful hours he’d had last night were the best of his life. And he wasn’t just talking about the sex.
Holding Reyna, talking to her, listening to her, had formed a bond he’d never had before. One that had begun when they fought to stay alive together. Now, he was closer to her than he’d been to any other human in his life. It was shocking to feel so...connected to another.
And yet, it felt right at the same time.
He hadn’t wanted to sleep, but his body hadn’t given him a choice. Besides, he needed to be rested and focused for the day ahead. He hated that he’d lost those hours in sleep when they could have been spent talking to Reyna or enjoying holding her.
Oddly enough, he’d slept peacefully. He wished he could say that it was because they were in a house where the Saints couldn’t easily find them, but he knew the reason—Reyna.
“You okay?” she asked.
He nodded. “Better than okay.”
“Me, too.”
To anyone who looked at them, they appeared to be a normal couple starting their day. If only things were that simple. Lev found himself envying Cullen and his brothers the ease with which they could be with their women.
Sure, the Saints were after the Loughmans, but they weren’t running for their lives. The entire lot of them were on their ranch in Texas where they could see the Saints coming at them from miles away.
That wasn’t the only reason Lev was jealous—an emotion he detested with every fiber of his being. Cullen had a home with Mia. They had a life together.
The same couldn’t be said for him and Reyna. Even if they were together, with the Saints breathing down their necks, every minute was a gift. And they spent it trying to make it to the next hour.
“You look worried,” Reyna said.
He met her dark brown eyes and forced a smile. “Just thinking.”
“I know the feeling. It’s going to take about four hours to cross Sweden. Then another three or more to get through Norway. I know where to cross into Norway where the few checks the border patrol does won’t affect us.”
“That’s good news. I think we should steal a car here and then another across the border.”
She nodded. “Agreed. Better to keep everyone on their toes. We should also get another phone.”
“Not until we need it. I don’t like holding onto them longer than we need to.”
Suddenly, she smiled at him.
He frowned, worried about what had brought on the grin. “What?”
“I haven’t held anyone’s hand in ages. I like it.”
That had him smiling like an idiot. “I can’t remember the last time I held anyone’s hand either. I think it might have been my mom’s.”
“Not a girlfriend’s?”
He thought for a moment and shrugged. “Maybe. I’m sure I probably did, but it’s been a while.”
She snorted and shook her head, causing her hair to move against her back. “We should be planning for attacks and where to go next instead of talking about holding hands.”
“I’d rather be talking like we are. The other will always be there.”
She leaned her head against his arm for a moment. “It’s easy to pretend that the part of our lives that has us going across Sweden is just a dream.”
“We’re here. Alive and together. That’s enough for me. For now, at least.”
“For now?” Reyna asked teasingly as she gazed up at him.
He nodded and looked ahead. “I’m not the kind of man who gives up easily. If the Saints want to catch us, they’ll have to come at us with everything.”
“You’re looking ahead,” she said softly.
“To life in the States? I sure am.”
She lowered her eyes to the ground. “I’ve not dared allow myself to think like that.”
“Why not?”
“It’s dangerous. You can lose focus on what’s important.”
“Life is important.”
She tightened her fingers on his. “I’m coming to realize that. When you think about the future, what do you think about?”
“Walking down a street just like this while holding your hand. Except I’m not worried about the Saints. I’m more concerned about finding the perfect restaurant to take you to.”
He spotted her soft smile. His words pleased her, which made him happy. It was such an epiphany that he nearly stumbled on the sidewalk. As long as Reyna was happy, then Lev was, as well.
Could it be that simple? That...straightforward?
“I’m not picky about food,” Reyna told him. “I should warn you that every so often I want a reason to get dressed up and be taken out to the symphony or theatre.”
“Or a ballet?” he asked with a grin.
She busted out laughing and met his gaze. “I actually like the ballet. So, yes. Though I don’t think I’ll ever look at another without thinking of you.”
He loved hearing her laugh. It was soft and easy, as if the sound couldn’t wait to be released and touch everyone near. “I think I can handle such a request. How are you with gifts?”
“Meaning?” she asked with a frown.
“Are you the type that finds the perfect gift for someone easily? Or do you struggle?”
She shook her head as she chuckled. “I’m the type who sends gift cards.”
“Oh. Then I’m not sure this can work,” Lev teased.
She feigned shock, her eyes widening. “You mean, you buy gifts? Actual gifts?”
“Absolutely. I put in a lot of thought when I purchase something for someone.”
Reyna halted and faced him. He was a half-step behind her, but he stopped and looked her way. “What?” he asked.
“I’m having fun.”
He raised a brow, skeptical. “By the frown on your face, I wouldn’t agree.”
“I’m frowning because I’m having fun.”
“I don’t understand.”
She smiled sadly. “I don’t want to have fun with you. I don’t want to wish we could return to the house and continue on with our lives as if nothing over the past few days has happened. I don’t want to dream of a life with you. But I am.”
“And it scares you,” he guessed.
Her head bobbed up and down. “It terrifies me. I’ve lost one man in my life. I can’t l—”
“Don’t say it,” Lev said over her. “We’ve a long road ahead of us. Anything can happen, both good and bad. We have each other. That’s not something the Saints have.”
He pulled her into his arms and held her as he closed his eyes. He too wanted a life with her. They had been thrown together by Fate, but it would be their skills that kept them alive. It was a long shot, he knew, but one he was very willing to take.
They remained there for another few minutes before they once more linked hands and continued walking. Thirty minutes later, they found a car. This time, Reyna got behind the wheel while he navigated.
The miles quickly fell away behind them, but neither spoke of the future again. Or their feelings for each other. Lev wasn’t even sure how to put his into words. He knew he wanted Reyna by his side. And for now, that was good enough for him.
Dover Port, Maryland
Sergei was glad he’d gotten to talk to Lev for a few minutes yesterday. He missed his Brigadier, but not because Lev was good at his job. He wished Lev were here because he was the son Sergei never had.
He leaned back in his office chair and looked over to the corner where Lev usually stood. Sergei would’ve given up his position years ago if Lev had taken over, but Lev had been adamant about not wanting it. Sergei had hoped the years would change Lev’s mind.
Perhaps it was time to broach the subject again when Lev returned. Sergei was getting tired. Besides, Lev took on so much of the duties, he was all but the boss anyway—though Lev didn’t know it. Sergei had been sneaky in how he’d gotten Lev to begin taking on more duties.
Sergei downed his shot of vodka and looked at his phone where he had a picture of him and Lev together. It was a rare instance when Lev was smiling. The same photo was framed in Sergei’s house.
He frowned as he worried about Lev’s return to the States. He knew from his communications with Mia and the Loughmans that things had not gone well for Lev despite Lev telling him that everything was fine. The Loughmans were worried about Lev, but Sergei wasn’t.
None of them knew his Brigadier like he did. If anyone could get out of Europe and away from the Saints, it was Lev. He had what his father never did—drive. An inner force that had Lev reaching for the stars—and knowing he could obtain them if he worked hard enough.
Lev didn’t know the meaning of quit. While he navigated life in the gray area, he was innately noble and fair. It’s why he commanded respect quickly and easily. And why he was the only one who could take over Sergei’s business.
There was a knock on Sergei’s office door. He bid the person to enter.
One of the Byki, the bodyguards, poked his head around the door. “Your car is ready to take you home.”
“I’ll be right there. Did Alexi get our cut from the most recent arrival to the docks this afternoon?”
The man grinned, showing a missing front tooth. “He did. It’s in our warehouse and being distributed between our men.”
Sergei pushed himself up and walked around the desk. “That’s good news.”
“Any word on when Lev might return?”
“Soon,” Sergei replied with a grin.
The man gave a nod. “It’s not the same without him.”
“No, it isn’t.”
Sergei reached the door, and they walked out together. He nodded to the others who worked for him. He knew all their names, but it was getting harder and harder to remember them each time. Age had a way of affecting minds that way.
He walked out of the building and drew in a breath as he looked at the moon. It was three in the morning halfway around the world. He wondered what Lev was doing.
“Be safe, my son,” he murmured.
Sergei got into the back of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan. The Byki shut the door and turned to walk away.
“Ready, sir?” his driver asked.
“Take me home, Teddy.”
The moment Teddy pushed the ignition button, Sergei heard the click. His last thought before the car blew up was that he hadn’t gotten to tell Lev everything.
Wyatt was talking to his father when he glanced into the control room and saw Callie’s face go white. He rushed to her as she slowly turned in her chair to face him.
“What is it?” he asked. “Are you feeling unwell?”
Tears glistened for a heartbeat before one fell down her cheek. “I just got a call from one of Sergei’s men. Sergei’s car blew up. He’s...dead.”
Wyatt had wondered when the Saints would strike back. It looked like they had. And against an old man.
“I feel sorry for the Saints now,” Orrin said.
Wyatt nodded, knowing that his father was right. Because when Lev found out about Sergei, he was going to stop running from the Saints and go right for them.