Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
“Most of them,” I reply as I walk to the front door. “I always try to stay as far away as possible from other people.”
The cabin is on a lake and is pretty secluded, which is why I like it. I have a couple of apartments in cities across the world, but I mainly use them when I’m busy with a job.
I unlock the door, and pushing it open, dust motes dance in the air.
“I haven’t been here in a while,” I say as I open windows so fresh air can come in.
“It’s bigger than the other one,” Cami mentions while glancing around.
I head to the bedroom and place the duffle bag by the bed. When I hear Cami behind me, I say, “I’ll do another supply run before it gets dark.”
“Can you please get me underwear and a bra?”
The corner of my mouth lifts as I shake my head. I turn around to face her. “I like knowing there’s nothing underneath your clothes.” I step closer to her and slip my hand beneath her T-shirt. Cupping her breast, my smile grows. “Easy access.”
Cami tilts her head to the side and narrows her eyes at me. “My vagina is closed for business until you bring me some underwear and bras.”
Just as she playfully pulls away from me, my phone starts to ring. Pulling out the device, I see Nikolai’s name flashing on the screen.
“None of what I’m about to say is the truth,” I tell Cami before I answer, “Hey, I’m starting to think you hate me.”
Nikolai lets out a chuckle, “Why?”
I wink at my woman, then answer, “Cami is a fucking headache.”
She places her hand on her hip and lifts an eyebrow at me. I step closer and press a kiss to her forehead.
“Cami?” He asks. “You already have a nickname for Camilla?”
I’m pretty sure we’ve had this conversation before. Just goes to show how fucking rattled he was when we last spoke.
“Shut up,” I grumble, then my tone softens because I’m worried about my friend, “How are you?”
I pull away from Cami and glance out the bedroom window.
“I’m getting married,” Nikolai drops a bomb on me.
“What?” I bark, stunned out of my mind. It takes me a moment to comprehend what he said, then I ask, “To Abigail?”
“Yes. She’s the one.”
Finally, Nikolai’s found someone who makes him happy. My eyes flick to Cami as I let out a chuckle. “Damn, brother. That’s great. When’s the wedding?”
“This Sunday. Please tell me you can get the day off. I’ll send the private jet for you.”
Fuck. There’s no way I’m leaving Cami alone. My mind races, but not wanting to have this conversation over the phone with Nikolai, I lie, “Let me speak to Mr. DuBois. I’m sure one of the other guards can babysit Cami for the day.”
My friend clears his throat, “I’m asking my father to be my best man. You understand, right?”
“Of course,” I reply. It’s a given that Mr. Vetrov will be his son’s best man. “I’m just fucking happy you met the love of your life. You deserve it, Nikolai.”
He sounds emotional when he says, “It means a lot coming from you.”
My heart squeezes as my sister, Anja, flits through my mind. A wave of emotion hits. “Listen, I have to go, but I’ll be in touch regarding Sunday. What time is the wedding?”
“Ten in the morning,” he answers.
“Okay. I’ll talk to you soon.”
I end the call and toss the cell phone on the bed.
“Are you okay?” Cami asks, her gaze searching my face.
I close my eyes as I nod, letting the wave of sadness pass through me. “My best friend’s getting married this Saturday.”
“Are you upset about it?”
I shake my head. “No, it just feels like he called to ask my permission because he was married to Anja.”
“Oh.” She comes closer and wraps her arms around my waist.
I engulf her against my chest and press my face to her hair. Taking a breath, I admit, “It’s been fifteen years since Anja passed, but sometimes it feels like it just happened. We were really close.”
Cami presses a kiss to my chest but doesn’t offer me empty words of comfort.
“I’m happy for Nikolai, though. He deserves this more than anyone I know.”
She pulls back and gives me a stern look. “I’m a headache?” There’s no bite to her tone, so I know she’s joking. “And you’re getting me a babysitter?”
“I didn’t want to get into it over the phone. I want to tell Nikolai in person, so I told a white lie.”
“Why in person? He just told you he’s getting married via a call.”
I pull her back to my chest before I answer, “He’s been worried about me because I live a reclusive life, and I want to see his expression when I tell him about you.”
She gives me a beautiful smile. “So you’re going to a wedding this Sunday?”