Chapter Eighteen 

Adrik 

We pulled up to the estate finally. It was close. Too close, considering we had Sephie with us. I already knew I would burn the entire city to the ground if something happened to her. She only just came into my life, but without her, the careful self–control I’d created since taking over from my father would be gone with her last breath. I would turn into him, and the city would pay. 

We stepped out of the vehicle. She immediately ran to the vehicle behind us, straight to Viktor. She slammed into him, hugging his neck tightly. He was taken aback by her gesture and looked to me before moving. I simply nodded. He wrapped his arms around her, like an older brother reuniting with his favorite sister after a long absence. She then went to both Misha and Stephen and gave them each a hug too. 

I couldn’t help but smile at her innocence. Her light shone so brightly that I was sure it could light the entire world. Even my men, who are normally quite grumpy and say very little, have all turned into little puppies around her. They will gladly follow her around, just to be near her. We all saw the good in her. 

She made her way back toward me and Andrei, who was standing next to me. He stretched his arms wide and asked, “do I get one too?” She beamed at him as she ran to him. He picked her up and swung her around, as she squealed. I made a mental note that she enjoyed that. I caught myself wondering what else would make her squeal. 

When Andrei set her down, he said “I could get used to that kind of appreciation.” She caught sight of Ivan and squared her shoulders as she walked to him. She extended her hand to him saying, “you don’t strike me as the hugging type.” He looked at her but was completely defenseless against how brightly her light shone on him. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into his bear arms, closing his eyes tightly like he was fighting back a flood of emotions. She said something to him, and I was shocked at his reaction. He laughed. Ivan has been working for me for ten years and I’ve rarely seen that man smile, much less laugh. 

I shook my head, watching her with my men. They were all trained killers, but in the span of about 2 days she had wrapped every single one of them around her finger. And she had no idea. 

She turned away from Ivan and made her way back to me. She wrapped her arms around me, placing her head on my chest. She whispered, just loud enough that only I could hear her, “I saved the best for last.” 

It was that moment that I knew, unequivocally, that I was madly in love with this woman. I would die to protect her. I 

would work every day of this life to keep her by my side. 

I kissed the top of her head, thinking about how happy I was in that moment. It didn’t make sense. We just escaped death, but we were all standing around smiling like idiots. 

Because of her. 

“Come, let me show you to your room,” I said, grabbing her hand and walking toward the steps to the front door. Her 

e took 

eyes were wide with wonderment as she took in the house. 

As we walked through the front door, she could see the grand staircase and the chandelier hanging from the high ceiling in the foyer. There were two wings off that main hallway. My men stayed in the east wing, while all the staff of the house stayed in the west wing. I had the top floor to myself. Sephie would be staying in a room right across from 

my bedroom, so I could be close to her while still giving her some space. 

Sephie looked around, eyes still wide. “Are you going to have someone stationed periodically through the house just to give me directions?” She pretended to have a British accent as she said, “yes, madam, if you will just walk down the grand hall, there will be a phone at the end. Pick that up. They will direct you to the restroom from there.” 

I just shook my head and led her to the stairs. “It’s really not that confusing. You’ll find your way around in no time. The important thing to remember is that the boys all have rooms to the right as you walk in the door. The kitchen is that way,” I said pointing to the left of the staircase. “I’ll show you to your room for now. I have some business to take care of, but if you like, I can show you around the rest of the house later.” 

She nodded eagerly. “I would very much like.” 

“How can I refuse then? I’ll give you the grand tour when I’m done. Come. Your room awaits,” I said, giving her my best butler impression. 

She giggled and followed me up the stairs. Even the way her laugh echoed on the marble floors was music to my ears. 

I stopped in front of her room, opening the double doors, and stepping aside for her to enter first. “Here we are, madam. Your suite.” She walked past me and gasped as she took in the room. 

All of this? For me? Shit. I’m gonna get lost just trying to find the bathroom in this one room.” She paused, turning around to take in the full 360–degree view. “My entire apartment could fit in this room.” 

I laughed. “Come, you haven’t even seen the best part yet,” I grabbed her hand and pulled her toward her private balcony. It overlooked the pool below, but she had the best view of the gardens, as well as the mountains in the distance. I would stand on this balcony during the summer nights, inhaling the sweet floral aroma from the hundreds of flowers below on nights when I couldn’t sleep. 

“This…this is beautiful,” she said, her hand covering mouth. 

“And that is why you will be staying in this room.” She was standing at the railing of the balcony, her hands now resting on the stone rail. I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. 

“I love this view,” she said, breathlessly. 

I turned her to face me, keeping my arms around her. “I love this one more,” I said as I gently kissed her. She responded by wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me closer to her. Without hesitating, I deepened the kiss. I had been holding back before, but after this afternoon and being that close to something potentially happening to her, I needed her to know how much I needed…her. 

I heard her moan softly and she faltered briefly, like her knees gave way. I grabbed her waist lower and picked her up off the ground so she wouldn’t have to stand. I felt her giggle against my lips. She stopped the kiss just long enough to look into my eyes. She put her hands on either side of my face and kissed me even more passionately than before. I couldn’t get enough of her, and she couldn’t get enough of me. 

After a moment, she broke free, breathing heavily. She gazed deeply in my eyes, almost like she was searching for something. Like she was reading my soul. She could have it all, as far as I was concerned. I’d never met anyorie like her, and I knew I never would again. She smiled sweetly at me and planted a chaste kiss on my lips. “You have business, remember?” 

I lowered her to the ground once again, not wanting to let her go. I groaned. “I’d much rather ignore that and stay with you.” 

She chuckled and tried to push me away. “The sooner you get it done, the sooner you can finish my tour of this castle. Or would you rather I explore on my own and remain lost for 3 years before I find my way out?” 

“You have excellent negotiation skills,” I said as I pulled her back to me for another quick kiss before turning to leave. “Rest and relax. The guys will be downstairs if you need anything. My bedroom is just across the hall and my office is 

at the end of the hall.” 

“I’ll be here. Maybe I’ll have a dance party since there’s so much floor space. You never know,” she said, raising one 

eyebrow at me. 

I sighed, “solnishko.” I couldn’t help myself. I stole one more kiss. I felt her moan again in my mouth, right before I felt her hands on my chest, pushing me away. 

“Go!” She said, pointing to the door. I laughed and turned toward the door. 

“End of the hall or across the hall if you need me. You can always come in my rooms, no matter what is happening. 

Always,” I said one more time, for emphasis. 

She nodded and watched me walk out of her room. 

As soon as the door closed behind me, I felt like I was already missing her. The more time I spent with her, the less I wanted to leave her. These would end up being the fastest business calls I’d made in a while, just so I could get back to 

her.