Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“And you’re okay? You didn’t have any trouble?”
Soren shook his head. “Not a bit.” He captured Alexei’s hand in both of his, holding it as if he couldn’t get enough of simply touching him. “I heard from Charlie. He and Kairo are good. They’ve met up with West and Ed, though he didn’t go into detail on where they are.”
“I’m glad they’re safe. I like your friends. They’re crazy.”
The low laugh that left Soren was music to his ears. He hadn’t realized how accustomed he’d become to hearing it until his world had grown silent again.
“That’s good. The feeling is mutual.”
“I found the bookstore,” Alexei said when they’d fallen silent.
“Yeah? What’d you think?”
“It’s an interesting place. Never expected to find books in a bathtub, but it makes sense for Venice. What made you think of it?”
Soren shrugged and looked at their hands. Was that a light blush to his cheeks? “I was thinking that Venice is supposed to be this incredibly romantic city.” He snorted. “We did meet in the City of Love. Venice was the next best thing I could think of, and the Libreria Acqua Alta is an interesting place off the beaten path. I thought you might get a kick out of it.”
Leaning in, Alexei stole another quick kiss. “I did. Thank you.”
“At the risk of ruining the mood, I want to ask how long I get to keep you before you have to leave for a job?”
Alexei’s lips twisted oddly as he weighed Soren’s question against the same inner turmoil he’d been struggling with for over a week now. “Already planning your exit?”
“You know that’s not it,” Soren countered sternly. “Look, I know being the world’s best assassin is important to you, and I respect that. You are amazing, and I believe you can do anything you set your mind to. But it’s not like you can have me tagging along after you.” He took a deep breath and released it as a heavy sigh, his fingers tightening almost to the point of being painful around Alexei’s hand. “I’ll be honest. I have no idea how to get our lives to line up. Right now, I’m trying to enjoy what time I have with you, but it’s nagging in the back of my mind that the clock is ticking until you leave.”
Emotions swirled in Alexei’s chest, and he bit on his bottom lip to hold in the first words that sprang to his tongue. The fact was, he’d worried about the same damn thing. Their lives were such that they were constantly on the move, and it would be incredibly rare that they’d be anywhere near each other at the same time unless they planned it carefully.
But they were both such free spirits, flitting off wherever the breeze may take them. Could they survive such rigorous planning and coordinating of schedules, or would it suck all the fun out of what they had?
There was another darker, more insidious thought in his head. He’d never said the words out loud, but the thought had been getting stuck in his brain more and more often since he’d met Soren. And now, in this beautiful city, with this amazing man, maybe he could finally say the words out loud.
“What if…what if I didn’t become the world’s best assassin?” Alexei said, his trembling voice barely more than a whisper.
From the corner of his eye, he watched a myriad of emotions flash across Soren’s face. He took a breath and opened his mouth, but no words came out. It was on the second try that he very carefully asked, “Are you saying that because you don’t think you’re capable or for another reason?”
Alexei gave him his best smirk, and Soren relaxed again. “It’s definitely not about skill.”
Soren released another heavy sigh of relief. “Oh good, because that’s a silly notion.”
“No, I was thinking what if I stopped…being…an assassin,” he continued haltingly. “I keep wondering if that makes me a failure.”
Reaching out, Soren captured Alexei’s chin with his thumb and forefinger, forcing him to meet his gaze. “Alexei Prescott, you are not a failure. We both know you are amazing. Everyone who has seen you work knows you’re amazing. It doesn’t make you a failure to walk away from something that isn’t a good fit any longer. Don’t make my mistake.”
“What mistake?”
“Staying too long at something that doesn’t make you happy. I had no business sticking with the CIA as long as I did. I should have walked away long before shit blew up in my face. But I was good at it and loved my team, so I stayed. Deep down, though, I was miserable.” Soren rubbed his thumb along the edge of Alexei’s bottom lip, sending the most delicious tingles through his body but he couldn’t look away from the worry in his eyes. “Are you worried about your uncles?”