At just twenty-four years old, Carey Madigan was made a widowâby the Russian MafiyaâŚ
Years after her husbandâs murder, Carey relocated from Russia back to U.S., where she works as an assistant curator for a prestigious museum. Her past seemingly left behind, she no longer looks over her shoulder or jumps at shadows. That is, until her boss is murderedâby the Russian Mafiya.
Careyâs past comes back to haunt herâŚ
When the police discover the nature of her husbandâs untimely demise, Carey becomes the prime suspect. But worse, the Mafiya is again pursuing her, and now that sheâs seen their faces, theyâre out to silence her for good. Frightened, she turns to an old friendâCIA agent Elena Gates.
Dmitry Ivanov is a tech legend in the hacker underworldâŚ
Russian born and raised, Dmitry uses his skills to help the CIA. Filling in for his sister Elena, he is intrigued when Carey walks through the door. When he sees her reluctance, he realizes he has to win her trust before he can help her. And if anyone has a chance of clearing her name, uncovering the motives behind her bossâ murder, and protecting her from the men determined to end her life, it’s him.
Together, Dmitry and Carey uncover a trail that leads them to the discovery of a priceless artifact. Now they must fight to keep itâand themselvesâout of harmâs way, and convince the authorities Carey is not a cold-blooded killer.
When the Mafiya is out for blood…No law will keep them safe.
Carey plopped her purse down on Dmitryâs kitchen counter as if sheâd always done so and carried her overnight tote into the open living area. She stopped short and took in the wall of computers and expensive equipment.
âHoly crap,â she whispered, moving over to the station. She was no expert, but what she saw looked like state of the art systems.
âWhat exactly do you do at the CIA?â she asked. Without waiting for an answer, she continued, âIâm almost afraid to know. It looks like a space shuttle in here. I have an overwhelming desire to say, âHouston, we have a problem.ââ She giggled and shook her head at her silliness. Even to her own ears her voice was a pitch too high, probably just short of hysteria.
Without warning, Dmitry drew her to him, holding her close. She closed her eyes at the sensation of being enveloped in his arms. Immediately, she began to feel lighter. It was amazing how much better she felt knowing she was no longer in this fight alone. That she had help and maybe she would get out on top, alive, and free of all charges. She breathed in his scent and her stomach fluttered. She could get used to this.
âIâm fine. Really.â
âLean on me, Carey. I can take it.â
She sighed, melting into his body, her head burrowing against his hard chest. Listening to the steady thump of his heart, she took the comfort he was offering, soaking it up. Goodness, he was solid. All muscle and male perfection. He smelled delicious too.
How had she ever believed this man to be affiliated with the mob? He was as steady as they came, kind and caring. Heâd been nothing but nice to her despite her obvious reservations back in Elenaâs office.
âThank you. I appreciate all your help.â
Dmitryâs arms tightened around her and he rested his cheek against the top of her head. âWhat are friends for?â
âWeâve only known each other for a few hours.â
âSometimes thatâs all it takes.â
Something inside her shifted. âWell, thank you anyway. Itâs nice not to be alone.â
âI know how you feel.â
Pressed against him, she felt every inch of his body. Her knees buckled as she imagined him naked. Thankfully, Dmitryâs arms around her waist kept her standing. She was much too dependent on him but right at that moment she didnât care. She allowed herself to enjoy the comfort he provided. His skin, like hers was pale. A hereditary gift. That and lack of sunlight. Something they had in common. They both seemed to hide away from the world. He with his computers, she with her job. Despite that, she felt the defined pectoral beneath her cheek and knew there would be some abs lower. If only she was game enough to run her hand over his abdomen and confirm her suspicions. Her clothes had become cumbersome, her nipples pebbling as desire zinged through her blood stream.
She pulled back, hoping her flushed face didnât give her away. She rubbed the back of her neck with her hand. A yawn surprised her and her jaw cracked from the intensity.
âYouâre exhausted. Iâm amazed youâre still standing. Come on.â He took her hand and led her down a short hall and stopped outside an open doorway that revealed a basic bedroom, with a queen sized bed covered with a plain black comforter, a four drawer bureau and two side tables, one with a lamp, the other a clock radio. To her, it was heavenly.
âItâs fine. Thank you.â
âThe bathroom is across the hall. Donât fall asleep. If youâre not out in twenty Iâm coming in after you,â he warned.
An image burst into her mind. Naked skin. Entwined limbs. Soapy suds sliding down an alabaster chest.
Sheâd never had an instant response to a man before, not even her husband. She trusted Dmitry, felt attracted to him. It was crazy and scary. Sheâd only known him a few hours but as heâd said earlier, sometimes thatâs all it took.
She resisted the urge to invite him into the shower with her, even though it was out of character for her, and Dmitry left. She took a shaky breath as he shut the door behind her. His presence was seriously detrimental to her mental health. She didnât need this right now.
Only the other night sheâd been thinking how nice it would be to have strong arms wrapped around her, providing comfort. She still felt the aftereffects of being so close to Dmitry. Was it simply attraction, a need not to be alone, or could it be the beginning of something more?
Forgetting about Dmitry for the moment, she looked within herself. Would her heart allow her to fall in love? Lust, yes. But love?
A cold sensation gripped her heart and squeezed. She wasnât sure that was possible. She was terrified of letting another get close, and it was one of the reasons she hadnât dated in all these years. Guilt for the hand she had in her husbandâs death was one. That, and she didnât believe she deserved a second chance at happiness. She might be in lust with Dmitry, but she could never love him. Even if he was so inclined to give it a try, there could be nothing between them.
She wasnât about to start something that would end in heartbreak for either of them. Resolved, yet feeling shattered, cold and teary-eyed she crossed the hall to the bathroom. It was better if she didnât give in to her desire to taste Dmitry and know what it felt like to lay beneath him. That was the safest course and she was always cautious.