IRIS
I wake up from a dreamless slumber, my head facing the window, to find the night sky outside, city lights twinkling below us as we make our descent. We must be here, back in the UK and getting ready to land in Northolt, which is just outside London.
The hair lifts on my nape and arms, my thoughts going to returning to the place that Sergi operates from. He feels closer, his presence like tendrils of dark miasma reaching out for me.
I set my jaw in a firm line, my muscles tightening as if in readiness. I won’t let him take me, or take my baby from me. Never again will I be in his loathsome clutches, and I have all my guys to help ensure that doesn’t happen.
Well, I will have them once we land. I feel a little breathless at the idea of seeing Nik and Rowan again. It’s only been two weeks, but it feels like a lifetime. I don’t want us parted again, can’t stand it.
“Hey, Princess.” Roman’s soft voice draws my gaze away from the lights below, and I get lost in his beautiful brown eyes. They’re more serious than they used to be, and I reach out, smoothing my thumb down between them. “Do you feel better?”
“Yes,” I answer, stretching a little in my chair.
“Your vitals are looking good, Iris,” Andrei tells me from the seat opposite mine. “The baby is too.” I smile, feeling lighter knowing that I’m okay. That my baby is okay.
There’s a lightness inside my chest that feels a little foreign because there’s just been so much to worry about recently.
“Hey, guys, listen to this,” Bubby says from across the aisle, and I turn to see him hit a button on his laptop, the sound of deep Russian voices filling the space.
My heart thuds, my hand squeezing Roman’s where he’s still holding it.
“We don’t speak Russian, Bubs,” Hunt drawls.
“According to the translation, they’re talking about how bored they are,” Bubby tells us, a grin on his boyish features. “While they wait for our plane at Heathrow.”
“It worked,” I whisper, blinking. Nik’s plan was to lead a trail of false information about us landing at Heathrow in the hope it would get back to Sergi and he would focus there, not on where we were actually landing.
“Nik’s plans often do,” Andrei states, packing his charts away and adjusting one of the monitors.
The plane dips more sharply, Bubby swallowing hard even as Hunt teases him for it. Poor kid. There’s a minor bump, then we’re slowing down, the noise loud but not unbearable as we land on the runway at Northolt military base, just outside of London.
I’ve no idea how Nik managed to secure it. He clearly has some friends in very high places. I’m grateful, because hopefully, those friends will also provide the protection we need as we leave. I cast a look at Hunt, whose eyes are on the window as he stares at everything happening outside, clearly still in surveillance mode and making sure we will not be ambushed.
I can’t see much out of my window, so I just sit there, waiting for the plane to do whatever it needs to do as we come to a gentle stop.
“I’ll unhook you from these for now, Iris. I have a small portable monitor we can use until we get you to a secure location,” Andrei tells me, getting up and finally, blessedly, taking off the monitors that I’ve been strapped to the whole time.
“Thank fuck, I need to pee,” I tell him, and Roman laughs next to me, bringing my hand up to his lips.
“You used to be such a well-spoken girl, my love.” He chuckles, and my lips twitch because he’s right. I have definitely cast aside most of my Wyndham’s training.
It takes a few minutes for us to be ready to leave, which is lucky because I get to pee, and the only reason Hunt doesn’t sweep me up into his arms is because there isn’t really room even if this is medical transport. It’s a different story when we reach the metal stairs that lead down to the tarmac though. No sooner have we stepped out than Hunt is picking me up, bridal style, and I can’t even be bothered to argue.
Butterflies erupt in my stomach as I spot Nik, Rowan, and Dima amid some guys in military uniform. Hunt takes a single step off the stairs before Nik is cupping my face in his palm, his hand trembling slightly.
“Moye Solntse,” he breathes out like he can barely get the words out. Then his lips are on mine and I’m sinking into his kiss while clinging onto Hunt, who doesn’t move, just lets us have our reunion. A tightness inside me loosens at his touch. I can feel that he’s unharmed and still here.
“I’m okay, Nik,” I whisper against his lips when he gives me a moment to breathe. His forehead presses against mine, his hand still holding my face.
“I was so worried when I got Bubby’s message, Malyshka.” He places another kiss on my lips, then with great effort, takes a step back.
My eyes widen when I spot the grazes on his face, the hint of a black eye too, but before I can say anything, Rowan fills his spot in front of me.
“We spoke about you taking years off my life, Lamb,” he chides, like I had any control over the situation on the plane.
I go to tell him as much, but his lips slam onto mine, and I taste copper but don’t feel a sting, so he must have split his lip. I have a sinking feeling something happened while we were apart, but can’t dwell on it too much because he demands my attention with his brutal kiss. It’s a punishment and praise all at once. He tells me with his lips, tongue, and even teeth he’s missed me, that he’s glad I’m safe and that we’re back together again.
By the time he pulls away, I’m panting, almost squirming in Hunt’s arms as heat fills my core. Rowan gives me a satisfied, very male smirk as someone behind us clears his throat.
“I take it you are the Russian diplomats?” he asks, though I can tell by his blank expression that he’s playing a part. That perhaps he knows we’re not who we are saying we are, but has been instructed not to question it too deeply. Maybe this is how Nik managed to secure us a spot landing at a Royal Air Force base when we have no military connections that I know of.
“Da,” Nik replies, turning to face the man in a smart military uniform. “And we are so grateful for your help, Major.”
“Of course, Mr Petrov,” the man says, giving a sharp nod. “If you’ll follow me, your transport awaits with an escort, as requested.”
My brows furrow. “Why do we need a military escort?”
The man and a couple of others turn on their very polished heels and stride towards what I assume is the exit.
“It’s safer this way, Dorogaya,” Nik tells me over his shoulder, him and Roman in front, and Rowan behind us with Bubby, Dima, and Andrei.
I shrug, still in Hunt’s arms as we make our way through a silent building to the cars that are waiting outside for us. I forgot how bloody cold December in the UK is as a shiver works its way across my skin.
“We’ll be in the warm soon, Peaches,” Hunt says softly, and I snuggle closer into him, stealing some of his warmth. The man is in just a T-shirt, but still feels like a furnace. It’s at times like this I wish I could crawl inside his skin. He’s always so hot. He chuckles. “I’d let you if I could, baby.”
“I said the whole skin suit thing out loud, didn’t I?” I cringe. That medication is still clearly throwing me for a loop.
“Yes, but it’s kinda sweet in a serial killer way,” he tells me, and Rowan scoffs behind us.
“I don’t think there’s anything unreasonable about a skin suit,” he remarks casually. “I’d offer to get you one, but no one else touches you, and if I took Hunt’s, he’d be dead, so…”
“Nice to know you’ve given it some thought,” Hunt drawls, and I giggle. I love my dark twin.
“Love you, Roo,” I say, looking past Hunt’s broad shoulder and blowing Rowan a kiss.
“Love you too, Lamb.”
“So, are you going to tell me what happened to leave those marks on yours and Nik’s faces?” I know something was up. Not only is Rowan’s lip swollen and bleeding, he also has several cuts on his face and a nasty bruise on his jaw.
“Later,” Hunt commands, a pointed look at the people around us. People we don’t know or trust.
We reach the exit and find several vehicles waiting. Two black SUVs and two military jeeps.
“We go in one,” Hunt orders. “Dima, Andrei, and Bubby, you go in the other.”
No one argues, and we find ourselves lucky in a seven-seater, with me in the centre, Nik and Rowan on either side of me, Hunt in the front passenger, and Roman in the back. We have a uniformed guy driving. He introduced himself as Corporal Rimes.
We’re silent for the forty minutes or so it takes to arrive at the apartment Nik and Rowan have rented for us, my lids still a little heavy, so I rest my head on Nik’s shoulder for most of it and doze, Rowan’s hand on my thigh.
“What’s the date?” I ask as we pull up outside of the converted warehouse, which I think they said looks out over the Thames.
“Fifteenth of December, why, Peaches?” Hunt asks, and I sit up, blinking the sleep from my eyes.
“Did I ever tell you my birthday was on Christmas Eve?” I say, and they all turn to look at me. “Dad always said I was the best Christmas present.”
There’s a dull throb inside my chest as I say the words. It’s a weird sort of situation. If my dad hadn’t left and sold me to Sergi, I wouldn’t have gone through everything I have in the past eleven months, but then also it’s unlikely that I would be with them all right now, and that hurts more than his betrayal. Though I’m still unsure what I would say, how I would feel if he turned up one day.
“Yes, you are,” Nik states, bringing my hand up to his lips and placing a kiss on my knuckles. “And we will celebrate it, and Christmas too.”
I swallow, realising that I didn’t think we’d be able to do any celebrating of anything before Sergi is dealt with. And then there’s the baby, which isn’t due until the second of January, but there’s the very real likelihood I’ll go into labour before then.
“Let’s get inside,” Hunt says gently, and after thanking the Corporal, we all get out, back into the frozen mid-December air.
A warm wool coat is draped over my shoulders as soon as I exit the car, smelling of juniper, black pepper, and vetiver. “Thank you, Nik.”
“I’ll always take care of you, Solnishko,” he tells me, wrapping his arm around me and leading me towards the large warehouse doors. “Welcome home.”
“Is this where you’ve been staying?” I ask as Rowan opens a smaller door that’s cut into the original large wooden doors, which were obviously used for goods given we’re in an old industrial part of the city.
“No, this place Sergi has no idea about,” Nik replies, quickly ushering me in as the cars drive off into the night.
“Our penthouse on the other side of the river is where he thinks we’re staying, where we have been staying,” Rowan adds, flicking a switch, and I have to hold in a gasp at the stunning space before me.
It’s all metal beams and old weathered wood, and although the ceilings are high and there are lots of windows that overlook the river, it feels homey and is full of the exotic soft finishings that I love.
“Do you like it, Solnishko?” Nik’s voice is hesitant, and I look up at him with tears in my eyes.
“It’s perfect. Our first home.”
My throat tightens at that. This is our first home, for all of us. The flat Hunt and the twins have is lovely, but it’s not Nik’s, whereas this is. I can see it in the touches of Russian culture around us. There’s a set of colourful Russian dolls on the bookcases that span an entire wall and have an honest-to-god ladder on a rail against them with an icon in an elaborate gold frame, and an old shop sign in Cyrillic mounted on one of the exposed brick walls.
There are also touches that speak of my Shadows. A gleaming stainless steel and wood kitchen for Hunt to cook in, a desk with what looks like a DJ setup for Roman, and another desk with monitors for Rowan.
“We’ve started to make it baby-safe,” Hunt tells me, and I turn my watery gaze to him. “And there’s a beautiful enclosed garden, but we can change anything you want.”
“I love it,” I tell him, tearing my gaze away from his beautiful emerald eyes to look at our house once more. “How long have you been working on it?”
Roman comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me into the heat of his body. “We bought it when you told us you were pregnant. The estate is great, but…” He sighs. “It’s not the best place to raise a family, and well, we’re thinking of our retirement too.”
I laugh, sinking into his hold. “A bit young to retire, aren’t you? Even Daddy.”
“Brat,” Hunt huffs, and he walks over to us, a smile on his lips as he cups my face in both his hot palms. “The Shadows are everything I’ve ever known, but it’s not safe, and now that we are to become fathers, we don’t want our kid—or kids to grow up without us.” I swallow hard, my heart fluttering inside my chest. “We have others who can take over for us, and although you can never fully leave the life, we can take a step back.”
“You’d do that? For me?” My voice trembles because this is just so big. They’re the Shadows.
“We’d do so much more, Lamb,” Rowan states, coming to stand by Hunt. “Plus, someone has got to keep Niky boy here out of trouble, seeing as he’ll be a big important mafia boss and all.”
“Still not my name,” Nik sighs, using his fingers to gently turn my face towards him. “But he’s right. Running the Bratva won’t be completely safe, and I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have at my back.”
“But they’re not Russian,” I blurt, and his lips tip up as he chuckles.
“They can still be made men, Malyshka.”
“I’m not wearing a fucking suit all the time,” Hunt declares, his enormous arms crossed over his broad chest. I gaze up and down his body, licking my lips at all the muscles he doesn’t bother to hide. He raises a brow when I get back to his face, and I blush at being caught so blatantly checking him out.
“I don’t know, Daddy,” I purr, Roman nuzzling my neck and making heat zap down my spine. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you in one more often.”
I let my gaze wander again as Ro places soft kisses against my skin. An image of Hunt in a suit, his trousers undone, and me on my knees in front of him flashes in my mind, and a small moan leaves my lips.
“What did you just think about, Peaches?” Hunt asks, his voice low and husky as he closes the small distance between us. His scent of rosemary and mint overwhelms me, along with a male musk because we’ve been travelling all day, and it should be off-putting, but it’s not. Instead, it makes my head spin with need.
“How I’d like you in a suit so I could get on my knees for you, Daddy,” I confess, Roman sucking lightly on my neck. My eyelids flutter at the pleasure that rolls through me before I remember we are not alone.
“Don’t worry, Peaches. The others went upstairs to their rooms. Ours is on the ground floor,” Hunt assures me, no doubt seeing my slight panic that I was about to get hot and heavy with my guys regardless of Andrei, Dima, and Bubby. “And we don’t need me in a suit for that, though I thought I was still under an Iris ban?”
“No bans tonight,” I whisper, licking my dry lips. “I need you all tonight. Please.”
