Time Stood Still (Volkov Bratva #3.5)(8)

Even if she had, he wouldn’t tell her that, not when it came to Klaus. Though he didn’t want her interfering with him either, Mishca knew that when it came to others, she wouldn’t approach them without coming to him first.

“Of course not. You might have done me a favor. Knowing Niklaus, he would have never agreed if not for you.”

She frowned at that as she followed him back into their bedroom, making a stop in the closet for him to get dressed.

“But there was no guarantee that he would have said yes just because I asked. He likes me just as much as he likes you.”

“Difference is,” Mishca started, buttoning the front of his shirt, reaching for a black tie once he finished, “you remind him of Sarah. I still remind him of someone he hates.”

She was quiet as he finished getting dressed. When she was still silent once he shrugged on his jacket he faced her.

“You knew I would ask him about it, didn’t you?” Her eyes were narrowed on him, and despite the fact that he knew she would be upset by his admission, he elected to tell the truth.

“Yes.”

Her arms went across her chest. “So you exploited a weakness of his to get what you wanted?”

“Not in so many words.”

Throwing her hands up, Lauren scoffed. “If you’re supposed to be mending bridges, or whatever the hell it is you two are doing, shouldn’t you be more honest? I’m just going to assume, if Klaus is anything like you, you would hate if someone did that to you.”

Lauren batted his hands away as he tried to knot his tie, finishing it for him and smoothing it into place. After she finished, she smoother her hands over his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“True, but you have to understand that you are a vulnerability of mine, and while I have no regrets about us, the only way I sleep at night is knowing that you’re safe. I will do anything to make sure you stay that way, understand?”

The tension drained out of her, even as she shook her head ruefully. “I know, Mish.”

He brought her hand up, pressing his lips to her knuckles for several seconds before moving his kiss to her lips, taking his time, savoring the moment, making sure he conveyed exactly how he felt.

“Besides, he went on after pulling away. “He’ll probably thank me since this move will make him more local.”

Frowning, she asked, “Why does that matter?”

“The girl. Reagan.”

“Jesus, Mish. Should I even ask how you know about someone he might be talking to?”

“Whatever happens in this city, I will more than likely know about.”

Shaking her head, she kissed his cheek. “You’ll be careful today, won’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Come home to me, Mish.”

Those words were as much a part of their routine as her fixing his tie, but no matter how often it happened, he was grateful to hear them.

“I always will.” He gave her another quick kiss. “Thank you for breakfast.”

“Of course. Maybe you’ll let me cook for you more often?”

He smiled, heading for the elevator. “Yes, maybe.”

***

Since Mishca would be gone most of the day, Lauren had some time to kill before she was meant to go out shopping with Alex and Amber for something to wear for Susan’s wedding. It had been a while since she had last seen her friend, and definitely wanted to catch up, but she was more worried about Alex and not just because of what happened the day before. Usually, Alex came around a lot, if only just to hang out, but since the trial, Lauren could count on one hand the number of times Alex had been by.

And most of those times were only because Luka was there too.

Lauren hoped to at least talk to her, see whether there was anything she could do to help—though she doubted there would be since what she assumed was bothering her, Lauren wouldn’t be able to help anyway—but she did want to gauge whether or not Mishca should talk to her. Lauren knew what it was like to let wounds fester, and she didn’t want that for Alex.

Washing the dishes Mishca had used, Lauren straightened back up the kitchen, going to take a shower next. By the time she finished, and was dressed, she was no longer alone in the apartment. Since you couldn’t actually reach the penthouse without a special key, she knew it was Alex—or even Luka since they both owned a key.

Amber was out there too, Lauren noticed when she came out of the room, but there was a noticeable tension between Luka and Alex who were sitting on opposite ends of the couch. The farther in she walked, the more curious she felt.

“Everything okay?”

Amber glanced back at her, eyes wide, and it was easy enough for Lauren to read the question she didn’t ask aloud.

What the hell was up with them?

Her eyes shielded by a pair of mirrored sunglasses, Alex put on a tight smile, nodding once, turning back to the phone she’d been typing on. Luka, who shoved a hand through his damp hair, glared over at her, mumbling something beneath his breath.

Turning his attention from her, he smiled over at Amber. “I think I left a shirt at your place back—”

“Why were you at her place?”

Amber, obviously reaching her own conclusion as to why they were acting weird around each other, tried to explain. “It wasn’t—”