Chapter 13.

NORA CARUSO. The golden hour of Lake Como, the scent of the water, and the confusing, terrifying heat of Nikolai's body against mine felt like a fever dream the moment the gates of the Volkov estate slammed shut behind us. The "honeymoon" if one could even call it that was officially over. The car stopped, and a guard opened the door. Nikolai stepped out first, and I scrambled out after him, clutching my tote bag. "Niko!" A woman's voice rang out across the driveway. I looked up to see a woman walking down the front stone steps. She was stunning in a severe, intimidating way. Tall, with ice-blonde hair cut in a bob that swung around her jawline. She wore a tailored black jumpsuit heading straight for my husband. "Valerie," Nikolai said, nodding to her. He didn't smile, but he didn't pull away when she reached out and placed a hand on his forearm. "Welcome home, Kolya," she said, her voice dropping to a purr. "The trip was productive?" she asked, ignoring me completely. "Very," Nikolai