“Caesar,” I recall. Kenzi’s eyebrows shoot up at the name. “You know that name.”
The brunette nods. “Anonymity is key with the society. No one knows who anyone is except one person.”
“I’ll give you one guess as to who,” Andrei deadpans. Kenzi smirks.
“Everyone knows what she sounds like, but no one knows who she is,” Kenzi explains. “I remember rumors flying around the Dollhouse about the great and mighty Caesar. In training, they teach you to worship her. That everything is because of her. That our lives were in her hands. But no one, including Madam Therese, has ever seen her.”
“Your lives have become a soap opera,” Andrei chuckles. “Complete with people coming back from the dead. At this point, I might never return to Russia. This is much more fun.”
“Speak for yourself,” Liam mutters. “I’m getting too old for this shit.”
“Speaking of too old.” Dante yawns. “Let’s take what we have for now and reconvene when we have more information. I’ll have my guys keep a lookout, but right now, I’ve got my sights set on Augustu. He’s up to something, and I don’t think we’re going to like what’s coming down the pipeline.”
I incline my head at him and shake his hand when he stands to leave. He glances back at Kenzi with a look of fatherly longing in his eyes, but she is steadfastly ignoring it. It will take time for that bond to heal, if it ever does. Kendra is a large obstacle in their way of truly mending, but there is nothing either of them can do about that.
“Come on, baby.” Taking Ava’s hand, I help her up from her chair, smirking when she winces slightly at the movement. I have fucked her hard enough that she will feel me for days.
“Do you think this will ever be over?” Ava yawns as we enter our room. Sighing, I close the door gently behind me.
“I don’t know, baby,” I answer her honestly as I follow her into the bedroom. We both go through our nightly routine in a comfortable silence. Ava snuggles down into the light feathered comforter with her back to my front. Snaking an arm around her waist, I pull her until she is flush against me. “But know I will never leave your side again.”
“Good,” she grumbles. “Because you still have so many more orgasms to give me before you’re forgiven.”
I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. How had I ever thought that loving Ava was a weakness when all I feel every day is lighter and stronger?
What a damn fool I have been.
fifty-one
Something was buzzing.
A phone maybe? The sound drills straight into my skull, sharp and insistent, dragging me up from the depths of sleep. Groaning, I crack my eyes open and squint toward the nightstand. My cell phone screen is lit up, vibrating against the wood like it’s possessed.
Yep. Definitely my phone.
I grab it, my fingers clumsy and heavy, and frown when I don’t recognize the number. My stomach gives a slow, uneasy roll. I swipe to answer and bring it to my ear.
“Hello?” My voice comes out thick, rough with sleep.
“It’s about time you answer your phone, Ava Dashkov,” a voice chirps brightly on the other end.
Female. Smooth. Too light. There’s a lilting accent woven through her words, one I can’t quite place, and it sets my teeth on edge.
“This was my third attempt to get a hold of you, and I was afraid my present would go to waste,” she continues, almost sing-song. “It would have been a pity if it had.”
My pulse spikes.
I sit up and nudge Matthias with my knee. He groans and shifts beside me, but the second he sees me upright, tension snaps through him. He bolts up, eyes sharp, already scanning the room.
I press a finger to my lips and lower the phone just long enough to tap the speaker button.
“Who is this?” I ask, forcing my voice steady.
The woman laughs. It’s light and musical, like a bell chiming in the distance.
“Oh, please,” she tuts. “Like you don’t know.”
“I don’t.” I grind my teeth. “That’s why I’m asking.”