God of Pain (Legacy of Gods #2)(87)

“A little.”

“A little is a start.”

We remain like that for a short moment as I attempt and partially fail to regulate my breathing. I honestly don’t know what would’ve become of me if I didn’t have a friend like Yan by my side.

He was the one who also convinced me that my fears about Annika sharing my fate with ballet are paranoia. That my daughter isn’t me and we won’t actually suffer the same things.

“You have exactly one second to remove your hands from my wife’s shoulders before I break them.”

Adrian’s closed-off voice reaches us first, then his larger-than-life presence follows.

I’ve known this man for over twenty-five years and I still crane my head to get a better look at him. I still go the extra mile to engrave every inch of him to memory.

It’s probably because of all the times I thought he was no longer part of my life.

His dark gaze falls on Yan, who has stepped back but still meets Adrian’s solemn expression with a smile.

“Don’t be jealous, Boss. It’s not my fault that I’m charming.”

“We’ll see how charming you actually are when you’re buried facedown six feet under.”

Yan pats his shoulder. “You and I both know that won’t be happening as long as Lia is alive. See you later, Boss.”

He leaves the house with a nonchalant stride, completely oblivious to Adrian’s deadly glare. I can’t help the smile that appears on my lips. Adrian and Yan’s relationship will never change.

I’ve got to admit that it’s entertaining. Yan can’t help provoking him, and Adrian is closed-minded enough to willingly fall for it every time.

“That fucker will meet his maker tonight. And stop smiling, Lenochka.”

My heart races like it does every time he calls me by that nickname. My fingers smooth the wrinkle on his black shirt and I flatten my palm against the rippling muscles of his hard chest.

The chest that serves as both my pillow and my anchor. The chest through which I can listen to his heartbeat.

I’ve known him for so long and he still causes my stomach to flutter upon seeing him. He’s still the most dangerously beautiful man alive.

I shake my head. “You’re being irrational.”

“Were you smiling at Yan in this way? With your eyes shining and your face brightening?”

“Adrian!”

“Were you?”

I release a sigh. “You’re seriously impossible sometimes.”

“Only sometimes?”

“I suppose.” I stare up at his unfairly handsome face—at the sharp features, hard lines, thick brows, and dark gray eyes.

A face so closed off that it used to frighten me but soon became my haven.

This man is both my calamity and my salvation.

His brows dip as he cups my face with his large palm. It always amazes me how a hard man like him only softens around me—and our children.

If anyone had come to the younger me and told her Adrian would be a family man, I would’ve laughed in their face.

But I’ve witnessed firsthand just how absolutely devoted he can be. Yes, he’s an important man in his organization, but nothing and no one comes before us for him.

“Is something the matter, Lenochka?”

It takes everything in me not to break down here and now. Just how can he be this attuned to my state of mind? Sometimes, more than I am.

“The kids left,” I choke out.

“Kolya told me. Want me to order the pilot to bring them back?”

That’s exactly what I want, but I’d be acting on paranoia as Yan said, so I shake my head. “I think we have a bigger problem.”

“Such as?”

“Anni…our daughter has a boyfriend.”

His expression darkens. “Jeremy informed me of that and mentioned he’s not to be trusted. I told him to keep them apart until I investigate the fucker who thinks he can have a relationship with my daughter.”

“You don’t have to. I saw his picture on her phone and he…he has familiar eyes.”

“Familiar eyes?”

“Richard Green’s eyes. Not the color, the look.”

He goes still, his muscles tightening against my hold. “What did you just say?”

“Richard, Adrian. I think…no, I’m sure he’s related to him somehow, probably his son. I thought we were done with that nightmare, but how come…how come it’s here again? How can that nightmare be unleashed on Anni this time? She’s so sweet and innocent and doesn’t deserve to suffer for any of our sins. She was devastated and absolutely disappointed in me when I told her to stop seeing him. What if…what if it’s too late to stop this?”

Adrian wraps an arm around my shoulder and half carries me to the sofa, where we sit down.

His hand strokes my shoulder slowly, soothingly, while his other hand wipes away the tears on my face. “Breathe, Lenochka, breathe…”

I dig my fingers into his shirt and stare up at him with blurry eyes. “Are we being punished? Is that why Anni fell for him of all people?”

“There’s nothing to be punished for. Richard was scum who deserved death, and we will not, under any circumstances, diverge the blame toward us.”

“How about Anni? I told her I’d cheer her on and back up any relationship she has, but I pulled the rug from beneath her feet at the first test.”