Chapter Seventy-One

Chapter Seventy-One
Morning arrived wrapped in golden sunlight.

The storm that had rolled through overnight had scrubbed the sky clean, leaving the Blue Ridge Mountains sharp against the horizon. Dew clung to the grass surrounding the estate, sparkling beneath the early sun while handlers moved through their morning routines.

Everything felt...
Normal.
Almost suspiciously so.

Anika stepped onto the back patio balancing two mugs of coffee.

Well...
One coffee.
One cup of hot tea.

She smiled to herself as she looked down at the steaming mug.

One day.
Just one more day.

Tomorrow she wouldn't need to hide little changes anymore.

Nikolai was already outside, sleeves rolled to his forearms, studying something on his tablet while Ghost rested beneath the table and Ares sat only a few feet away.

The big Cane Corso immediately stood as Anika approached.

"Ares," she laughed.

The dog ignored her entirely.
Instead, he walked directly to her side before looking toward Nikolai.
Nikolai watched him with narrowed eyes.

"He has become possessive."

"He loves me more."

"I noticed."

There wasn't jealousy in his voice.
Only curiosity.

Anika handed him his coffee before settling beside him.

He glanced at her mug.

"No coffee?"

"I wasn't in the mood."

"Hm."

That tiny sound almost made her heart skip.
Did he know?
No.
He couldn't.

He simply took a sip of his own coffee before reaching for her hand beneath the table.

"So."

"So?"

"You've been smiling since you woke up."

She looked away to hide her grin.

"Maybe I had a nice dream."

"I wasn't in your dream?"

"You were."

"And?"

"You behaved yourself."

Nikolai actually laughed.

"I know you're lying."

"I absolutely am."

His thumb brushed over the back of her hand.

"I like this version of you."

She tilted her head.

"What version?"

"The one who smiles when she thinks no one is watching."

Emotion caught unexpectedly in her throat.

Tonight.
Tonight, she promised herself again.

Across the yard, Lizzy loaded medical supplies into the back of the SUV while pretending not to notice someone approaching.

"You missed a compartment."

Maksim.

Without looking up she answered, "I left it empty."

"For what?"

"The things you're inevitably going to insist we pack at the last minute."

Silence.
Then—

"I already put them in."

She looked inside.
Extra trauma kit.
Additional radio batteries.
Emergency blankets.
A second tourniquet.
She sighed dramatically.

"You are impossible."
"So I've been told."

She closed the hatch before turning toward him.

"You barely slept."
"I slept."
"You worked."
"I slept eventually."
"You know those aren't the same thing."
"No."

For a moment they simply stood there.
No teasing.
No barriers.
Just comfortable silence.

Finally Lizzy spoke.
"I meant what I said."
His brow lifted slightly.
"Last night."
Understanding settled across his face.
"So did I."

No hesitation.
No qualification.
Just certainty.
Her heartbeat sped up.

"I don't know where this goes."
"I know."
"But..."
She stepped closer.
"I'd like to find out."
Something softened behind his eyes.
"I would too."

He reached for her almost cautiously, as though afraid moving too quickly might shatter something fragile.

His hand found hers.
Their fingers intertwined naturally.
Comfortably.
Like they'd been doing it for years.

Neither of them noticed Anika watching from the patio.

"Oh, thank God," Anika whispered.
Nikolai looked toward the pair.
"They finally stopped arguing with themselves."
"They're adorable."
"They're exhausting."
She laughed.
"You love him."
"I trust him."
"You avoided my statement."
"I answered the important one."

Anika leaned against his shoulder.
"You know..." she said quietly.
"Hm?"
"I've been thinking about the future."
He looked down at her.
"What part?"
She smiled.
"All of it."
His expression grew thoughtful.
"So have I."

Neither realized how differently they meant those words.

By midmorning the vehicles were ready.

Nyx leapt easily into the rear kennel compartment.

Ares hesitated.
Completely unlike him.

Instead of loading immediately, he stood pressed against Anika's leg, eyes fixed somewhere beyond the tree line.

She rubbed his neck.
"What is with you today?"
The dog's ears remained forward.

Ghost, several yards away, had also stopped moving.
Both dogs stared toward the woods.

Maksim noticed.
So did Nikolai.

The silence stretched just long enough to feel strange.

Then a squirrel burst from the brush and sprinted across the yard.

Ghost relaxed immediately.
Ares finally climbed into the SUV.
Everyone exhaled.

"False alarm," one handler muttered.

Nikolai wasn't convinced.

He walked to the driver's door where Anika adjusted her mirrors.
"Check in every thirty minutes."
She smiled.
"Every thirty?"
"Twenty."
She laughed.
"That's not compromising."
"You're correct."

He rested one hand against the open window frame.
"You know I'd keep you here if I thought there was reason."
"I know."
"I don't."
She reached up, curling her fingers around his wrist.
"I'll be home before dinner."

Home.
The word lingered between them.
He leaned down, kissing her gently.
Not rushed.
Not possessive.
Just... home.
"I'll see you tonight."
"You will."
She almost said it.

The words rose so quickly she nearly couldn't stop them.

There's something I need to tell you.

Instead...
She smiled.
"Don't work too hard."
His grin appeared instantly.
"No promises."

She pulled away before she could change her mind.

The SUV rolled slowly toward the estate gates.
Behind them, Maksim started his vehicle, maintaining the agreed distance.

Professional.
Routine.
Exactly like every successful trip before.

Inside the SUV, Lizzy glanced sideways.
"You almost told him."
Anika's fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel.
"Was it that obvious?"
"Only because I know."
She smiled nervously.
"I was so close."
"You still can tonight."
"I will."
"You promise?"
Anika nodded.
"I promise."

Outside, the morning sun climbed higher over the mountains.

Birds scattered across open fields.
Traffic remained light.

The radio crackled once with Maksim's calm voice.
"Escort in position."
Anika answered automatically.
"Primary copies."

Everything sounded exactly as it always had.
Exactly as it should.

Behind them, nearly half a mile back, an unmarked gray pickup eased onto the highway.

Far enough away to avoid attention.
Close enough not to lose them.

Inside, a man touched the small radio clipped beneath his jacket.
"They've departed."

A single voice answered through the static.
"Maintain visual."

The pickup never gained ground.
It didn't need to.

Ahead, the road narrowed beneath towering pines, winding toward the mountains exactly as it had a hundred times before.

Routine.
Predictable.
Safe.

Exactly as Dmitri intended.