Second Assault — Bond And Treason —

ALEXEI

—Follow me, and I'll explain everything you need to know — Angelo guides, his voice low and cautious, turns around, and goes back down the corridor.

I'm about to lose my temper, to send everything to hell, pull out my gun and give Angelo a ticket straight to hell, but then I feel a hand on my cheek and Xander sweetly moves my face toward him. His eyes are still crystalline and a little red from crying, but he still looks beautiful.

He shakes his head slightly and leans up to leave such a delicate kiss on my lips that I barely feel. He must have realized that I was seconds away from exploding through the sudden tension in my body. My breath is shaky by the time he separates from me.

—All right — I whisper and kiss his forehead, taking care not to press any visible wounds —. I will control myself — he smiles at me, but the expression does not reach his eyes. He holds my hand, interlaces our fingers, and begins to walk towards the door where Angelo was before.

His steps are a little hesitant and slow, yet he continues to move forward decisively. By the time we reach the living room, Angelo is sitting on one of the chairs, and Yaakov is standing by the fireplace, with a somber expression on the face, until he realizes who is accompanying me. His eyes open so wide with surprise, that if I wasn't still stunned by the situation myself, I'd find it funny.

—Fucking hell! — he exclaims in shock, his jaw almost hit the floor —. Xander!

He rushes up to us and holds Xander in a tight embrace. I'm capable enough to hold back a grunt that threatened to leave my mouth, but I still have to admit that the scene is touching. That is, until I hear a groan of pain.

Yaakov quickly breaks away, Xander bends over, resting the hands on the knees and breathing heavily.

—Shit, I'm sorry! — My cousin tries to help him, but Xander's reaction leaves me completely unsettled.

He knocks my cousin's help away and rushes back, curling up with hands-on his head on the floor, shaking violently and crying again, whimpering and wrapping my heart in a fist that threatens to squeeze and pulverize it until there is nothing left. Yaakov and I looked at each other not knowing what to do. When I manage to force my body to move, I slowly kneel beside him.

—Xander? — I ask unsure, not knowing what I'm supposed to do or say —. Kitty, can you hear me? — He nods but doesn't look up or stop sobbing. But what the hell does this mean? —. Can I touch you? — I ask him in a whisper.

Finally he raises the eyes and what I can decipher in them, feels like a direct kick in the guts. Fear... A deep, heart-rending terror is transmitted to me by his gaze and my protective side rises to the surface with overwhelming speed.

—Come here, kitty — I extend my arms and to my relief, he answers my call.

His shaky body slips into my embrace and then sinks his head in my neck, sniffing my scent in the area below my ear. The moisture from his cheeks leaves a trace on my suit and wrinkles begin to form from his strong grip on the fabric.

—Shh... Breathe, Xander— I whisper, stroking his hair with one hand and his back with the other —. I'm here, I'm not going anywhere. Come on, kitty... Breathe for me.

Gradually his chest begins to work more slowly, his hurtful panting and moaning stops. His body falls laxly in my arms and I realize that he has fallen asleep. I hold and gently carry him, in princess style. Rocking him, I sit on the leather couch.

that hard— Yaakov rushes to clear up, with a tone of amazement and nerves mixed in —. I don't know... But what the fuck?— the phrase stays floating in the air as he tries, as

leg over the other —. Don't worry, his reaction has nothing to do with anything you've done — he

he backed away from me as if I were on fire and had killed his cat in the process — my cousin looks a little hysterical, his eyes

— Angelo raises a hand in his direction and points to the other chair —. Sit

can and I sure as hell won't be able to

a few days now — he nods to his assistant, she comes and hands him a briefcase —. These are the medical reports of his condition. I assure you that the doctor who took care of him is one of the best in Russia — he starts taking out a

— My cousin's demanding, approaching, and taking a look at the

actually found him by

low my voice comes out —. Did you go for tea at Dimitri Zhukovski's house and "by accident"... — I make the gesture of the quotes with my fingers, trying not to move too much so as not to disturb Xander —.My partner was chained to the living room table? —

know it was Dimitri who kidnapped him?

place, but without looking away from the documents —. The bastard managed to get one of our employees to pass on information about our activities, that's how he was able to find Xander. One of our men died trying to

really sorry — Angelo says,

anything to do

just that... Dimitri Zhukovski and I share blood ties... We're cousins — If I was angry before, now I'm completely furious. Yaakov quickly

a hand inside his vest, where he keeps the gun. Xander moves restlessly in my arms because of the noise and I rapidly start stroking his hair to calm him down. He lets out a deep sigh, settling closer to

sounds bad — Angelo raises the hands in the air, trying not to look like a menace to Yaakov —. But I swear to God, I had nothing to do with this. Besides, if I did, why would I put my life on the line to get Xander out of that place and bring

his assistant intervenes, keeping a careful distance from all this commotion —. Mr.

handle it — Angelo looks at me again —. Magnus, if I were involved, do you think I'd call so you could meet with him?— The silence that falls in the room is suddenly

only seen two of Angelo's men on the property. And I haven't been able to detect any others. But if Dimitri really is his

from Angelo and sits back in the chair where he was, picking up the mess of papers on the floor —. What do you want,

do you mean?

rescuing

all — pats strongly his knees, I never thought my question would bother him —. I was just

case, why did

dead! — screams, pointing exasperatedly to the man in my arms.

embrace suggests that he is under a lot

The thing is, I couldn't risk it. Not only was my life in danger, but Xander's as well. I don't think I have to tell you the degree of evil that Dimitri possesses.

not being able to communicate

suppressors. I didn't know he kept in touch with you, Magnus. Otherwise, I would never

or how much of the conversation he heard, but I am relieved that he is now relaxed. He gives me a faint smile, points to his chest with the right hand, just at the level of his heart. I smile when I realize what he is doing. Then he points at mine, also at the