Chapter 48.

NORA CARUSO "We need to talk." I stood frozen against the dresser, my hands gripping the edge of the wood behind me so hard my knuckles turned white. I braced myself, I expected him to demand why I had fled his bed like a thief this morning, instead, Nikolai put his hands in his trouser pockets. "I have to travel," he stated flatly. "Tonight." I blinked, my heart which had been hammering against my ribs, stumbled."Travel?" I repeated, my voice sounding thin. "Where?" "Chicago," he said. "There are... complications with the supply lines that require my personal attention." "Oh," I breathed. I didn't know whether to feel relieved or crushed, he was here to talk about what happened between us which I had been dreading but beneath the relief, disappointment sliced through me. Last night, we shared breath, sweat, and fused. He had looked at me as if I were the center of his universe and now? Now he was standing ten feet away, dressed in a suit talking about supply lines and Chicago as if I