Second Assault — Bond And Treason — novel Chapter 35

Saturday, April 20th. Meeting room, 6:55 p.m.

ALEXEI

—Our man keeps in touch, any changes or developments in Dimitri's plan, he will inform me — Adrik notifies, with the same efficiency as always.

—Perfect — Yaakov nods in agreement —. All the preparations have been made and the men are more than ready — he confirms the time on his wristwatch —. If we want to be on time, we should leave now.

—Good — I stand and adjust my jacket —. Fred and Lev will stay with Xander. The rest of you know what to do.

—But why don't you ever let me go out and have fun now? — Lev squeals in anger, jumping out of the chair, arms crossed over his chest —. I'm perfectly capable of kicking a few asses, even more so if they're human.

—Please, Lev — my cousin pinches the bridge of his nose, and Xander giggles —. Don't start.

—Shut up if you know what's good for you — gives Yaakov a killer stare —. I'm going to rust from all this inactivity, I don't even remember how to aim anymore.

—I don't think that confession will help your cause much, Lev — Xander laughs harder.

—Oh, by the Moon. Alex, let me go. Please — joining hands like praying and with pleading eyes that do not affect me.

—No way, the decision's already been made. We're almost ready to go, Lev. You can't leave Xander unprotected.

—Well, no. But...

—But nothing — I cut him off before continuing —. We don't know how things will turn out. We must be prepared for any situation, and that includes you staying here and protecting my partner. Don't bother opening your mouth again, it won't do any good.

—It's your turn to look after the chicks, Mummy Lev — Nikon's mocking, standing up.

—I'm sorry, Lev — Xander whispers after noticing his annoying face. Lev sighs and his body loses some of its tension.

—It's all right, baby boy — smiles —. Orders are orders, after all. We'll find something to amuse ourselves or go and bother old Ewa again.

—She loves Xander and me — Fred says —. You're the only one who bothers her.

—Me? — Lev whines, outraged, and I'm already getting bored of this pointless discussion —. But if I'm adorable, everyone loves me.

—Well, that's enough. The clock is ticking, so everyone get to your posts.

—Alexei — my brother calls me when almost everyone's out —. Angelo told me he'd send some men to help protect us — his eyes don't meet mine and seems a bit insecure —. Do you have a problem with that? — Xander pinches me in the side, being careful that Fredek doesn't catch him.

I turn to look at him and he doesn't have to open the mouth to reveal a request for me to be rational and patient. Although, I don't know if it bothers me.

—No, tell him to send them — his gaze rises quickly to mine and a big smile is drawn on his face.

—Okay, I'll tell him — then heads for the door, but before exiting, watches me —. Thank you, Alex — mumbles, and leaves. Finally Xander and I are alone in the room, both standing in front of the desk.

—Don't forget your promise, Magnus — says in a shaky whisper once the door closes —. Come back to me, safe and sound.

—I always keep my word — I caress his cheek and he leans to the touch, his eyes moist and bright with tears that slowly run down his face —. Don't cry, my love — sobs and my heart compresses inside my chest —. Come here — I surround his waist to attract him to my body, he rests a wet cheek on my chest and his hands hold tightly the fabric of my shirt.

Tremors dominating his body.

—I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cry — his head tilts back to see me and I take the opportunity to wipe the thin tears from his face with my thumbs —. I couldn't help it.

—You don't have to apologize for anything, Xander — I put a kiss on his nose —. It'll be all right. We're ready for this. So I need you to be strong and trust me. Okay?

—Of course I trust you, Magnus — replies with determination and without hesitation.

—Then let me take care of everything. In a few hours, you'll have me back and you can take advantage of me any way you want — laughs softly and that's a relief —. I love you, Xander. My body, my heart, and my soul are yours.

—Magnus, all mine is also yours — bends and rubs his nose with mine —. And I love you, too, to the end of my days.

I kiss him. We lasted a long time like that, immersed in each other's arms, transmitting through that sweet and explosive kiss our emotions and feelings. Never wanting to part, even though we both knew that in the end, we would have to. And it was precisely the knock on the door of the big room that indicated that our time had run out.

—All ready, Magnus — my cousin's voice lowers, seems ashamed to have interrupted. I nod in his direction and he goes.

—I'll be waiting for you — promises, then kisses me again, albeit for a shorter duration this time and then separates.

From the expression on his face, I realize that it took him a great deal of strength to do it, I immediately feel the cold from the loss of his warmth. I want to tell him something, anything that will help ease the burden I know his heart has right now. But I'm afraid if I do, I'll fall apart myself. Unable to get away from him and hold on to his body as if it depended on my soul not leaving me. So I go.