Chapter Fifteen

FIFTEEN

The club Maestro took Azelie to was small and intimate. He liked it because it was classy and the music was always great. He appreciated good music. He had a surprise for his woman, and he hoped she would get the message he was trying to get across to her. He was taking a big chance tonight, mainly because his woman was extremely intelligent.

Several of his Torpedo Ink brethren would be at the club. He wanted them to see Azelie, even if from a distance, but he was certain Lana would pull off the meeting while he was at the piano. Lana would be there with her brother, Preacher. Of course, he would be introduced by his given name, Kasimir Popov.

Other members—Keys, Master and Player—would be there as well. Maestro was in the band, Crows Flying, with the three men. He considered each of the men brilliant when it came to music. Seychelle, Savage's woman, often sang with them when they played at the Torpedo Ink Roadhouse, the bar the club owned.

They had rehearsed what they would say to make the meeting seem natural so they could sell the idea that they barely knew Lana. If Maestro and Lana were too close, Azelie would know Lana was part of a team. That would hurt and upset Azelie because he wouldn't be able to offer much in the way of an explanation.

At the moment, Azelie believed she met Lana through the college. They were becoming friends. Lana genuinely liked Azelie, but if she felt betrayed because neither Maestro nor Lana told her the truth, she might walk away from him. There was always that possibility hanging over his head.

Three times he'd brought it up to the club that he should just simply tell Azelie the truth. Unfortunately, running life-or-death missions, they'd learned the hard way not to take on anyone untrained. One slipup could cause a number of deaths. Azelie had acting skills when it came to Billows, but that didn't mean she wouldn't mess up. Each of this crew knew all about torture and how to hold out, if necessary, until their brethren came for them—and they would come. They would be certain the others would find them and get them free. Azelie wouldn't have that faith in them.

Maestro understood the necessity of keeping the truth from his woman, but he didn't like it. He refused to outright lie to her. That would be the one thing he could claim later when he was giving her the facts of their mission. After they'd found the women or at least shut down this link in the trafficking ring and gotten information to lead them to the next one.

Azelie looked beautiful, even more so than usual. She rarely wore a lot of makeup, but she'd given her eyes a smoky, exotic look. Her lips had a soft color on them, drawing his attention immediately. Her auburn hair tumbled down her back in long spirals and waves, so when the light caught it, copper and shades of red shone through. Her hair looked a little wild, adding to her striking, glamorous appearance.

The clothes were perfect for her, that skirt and fitted camisole accenting her very feminine figure. The camisole hugged her lush curves lovingly and showed off her small, tucked-in waist. The way the skirt fit over her hips and dropped to her ankles, moving with every step, added to her allure. He found himself proud to be walking into the club with Azelie on his arm.

More than one man turned to look at her as they walked in. Glancing down, he was pleased to see she was looking up at him as if he were the only man in the room. She smiled at him with that amazing smile she reserved for him. Her eyes were bright. Her expression was not just adoring but held a hint of developing love. He could see it, and it set his heart soaring.

He followed the hostess to their small table and pulled out Azelie's chair for her. He found he enjoyed doing little things for her. Opening doors. Seating her. Ordering for her. Hanging up her coat. Taking care of her after sex. All of it. He loved everything he did for her.

He knew he was already way too invested. If he lost her, he wouldn't recover. One of the things he knew about Azelie's character was that she was all or nothing. The moment she truly trusted him, he would have her devotion for life, but he had to earn it. He was on shaky ground. Each time he thought he was close, he remembered earthquakes.

Sea Haven and Caspar, where he resided, were right on a fault line. Earthquakes could turn things upside down if they were strong enough. They could damage property or completely destroy it. The things he was forced to hide from Azelie could not only damage but utterly and irrevocably annihilate their relationship. It was fragile. Just beginning. And she'd known betrayal the same as he had. If she had been using him to get to Czar or for any other reason and she lied, even by the sin of omission, he was certain he wouldn't forgive her, yet somehow he expected her to understand.

"You're doing it again, Andrii."

Her soft voice startled him, he'd been that deep in his thoughts. She leaned her chin into the heel of her hand, propping up her arm with her elbow on the table. Her eyes were filled with concern for him. That made his heart ache.

"What am I doing?"

"Frowning. Inside. Going quiet on me, which means you're worried about something." She made a little moue with her lips and then shook her head. "Not something. Me. Us. You're worried about us."

He wrapped his fingers around her hand, connecting them. "Baby." He kept his voice low and compelling so that she leaned forward to catch every word. "It's traditional for the woman to fall for the man and want to be with him. She might pretend she doesn't care if she's a game player, but she chases him and falls at his feet."

Her eyebrow shot up and a hint of amusement crept into her eyes.

"The man may or may not be interested, but he's the one with the power in the relationship because she wants him. He can take it or leave it. Traditionally, he couldn't care less about permanency, just the sex."

"That's tradition?"

He nodded solemnly. "You've got this entire thing backward. You're supposed to worry and be nervous I might run. Men run from the relationship word."

"Traditionally." She definitely sounded amused.

"Pay attention, Solnyshkuh . This is important information I'm giving you." He kept his expression solemn, as if he were imparting something life-changing. "There are certain rules we follow as men and women in a relationship, and we aren't supposed to mix them up."

The waiter came to the table to take their order. He sent her a small smile. "Do you want me to order for you, or do you have something in mind?"

As always, Azelie was thoughtful before she answered. "You order. I loved what you got for me last time. It's always fun to have a surprise."

"You don't like it, baby, we'll just order something else." He knew the menu without looking at it. He ordered her water without ice to start. "Azelie will have the khao soi soup and the shaved brussels sprout and Jonathan apple salad with avocado. I'll have the same salad and the ravioli." He flashed a smile at Azelie. "You up for trying wine? The club is famous for pairing wines with their food."

"I don't know the first thing about wine," she admitted.

"Neither did I until I started coming here. Great music and excellent food. I took a chance on the wine and found I liked it."

"You'll have to order," Azelie said, turning the decision over to him.

He ordered her the wine suggestion that would be paired with her soup and then ordered himself a glass that paired with his ravioli.

Azelie gave him her bright smile, the one that lit up his world. He tightened his hold on her hand. "Getting back to what we were discussing, it's imperative you understand your role so I can be in mine. Right now, the roles are reversed."

He could see that he'd surprised her. She thought he'd been going for humor, and maybe he had been, but that was only because she'd asked him a question he didn't want to have to answer.

"Our roles are reversed?"

He nodded. "It pains me to say this, Zelie, but I seem to be the one who fell hard and fast. I jumped right over that proverbial cliff and I'm still falling, with no landing in sight. You, however, have reservations."

"I've fallen," she admitted, her fingers tightening in his.

Her voice was soft but carried a hint of anxiety, as if she had let him down. That was the last thing he wanted her to feel. He brought her hand to his mouth to run his lips along her inner wrist, right over her accelerated pulse. She didn't like him upset in any way. He'd known she would be like that, but seeing the proof right in front of him shook him.

"You have to go at your own pace, baby. I don't want you to ever feel as if you aren't sure about me. I don't like to feel as if you're slipping through my fingers, but those are my emotions, and I'm not used to having any feelings, so it's uncomfortable. The good news is, I feel like I can keep trying to be better for you."

"You're good enough," Azelie said.

"But you have doubts."

"Not about you exactly," she admitted. "It's more me and whether I'm capable of being what you need. Two people can be very different, but fundamentally, they should fit. I think it's good if we have differing points of view. I like hearing what others have to say. I don't want someone agreeing with me all the time, and I would hope you feel that way. Most of the time I think you do, but then you say things that can be alarming."

"Punishments," he said, knowing she really wasn't in the least on board with that.

She nodded slowly, thoughtfully. "That's a big one. If that's something you need to do because it's important to who you are, I wouldn't want you to change. Having said that, I don't want to be punished. It would be hard enough knowing I disappointed you without you treating me like a child, incapable of making my own decisions."

He fought down panic, but his expression didn't change. He knew he needed her. She was the one. There wasn't any doubt in his mind. How could there be doubt in hers? Was he being unreasonable?

"You're very fixated on punishments. What other things about my personality do you find difficult?" He didn't know if he could change, although she'd said she didn't want him to and he believed her. He'd asked the others to come, the ones who meant something to him. The ones who knew him. They couldn't bring their women, because it was a mission and no one ever took chances, but those coming would see him stripped bare. Would know he was all in, completely gone on this woman.

What did it matter if they knew he was making a complete fool of himself? Azelie was worth taking the risk.

She leaned her chin into the heel of her hand. "I don't find you difficult. You think you're far more difficult than you are. I like that you take the lead. Are you aware you always ask me first? You just did it here. You asked if you could order for me. Then you reassured me that if I didn't like what you ordered, we could order something else. Not that I would want to throw away the food. I know a few people who go hungry sometimes."

Of course she would know people who went hungry. He was beginning to realize Azelie would make it her business to watch over street people. "How often do you feed them?" The sincerity in her voice when she said she didn't find him difficult went a long way toward making him feel better about what he had planned for her.

Color swept up her neck to turn her face that rose color he liked. He found everything about her adorable. Azelie pushed at the hair tumbling around her face, tucking wild strands behind her ear. They were never going to stay, but he thought it was sexy. And cute.

"I don't cook for other people that much. If I have extra, I take it down the street to some of the kids. It would be silly to throw it away when others need to eat." She sounded defiant, as if she expected him to judge her harshly.

"Baby, I love that you do that. Did someone make fun of you for helping others? You sound as if you expected me to think you were being silly. It's admirable. One of my brothers from the school in Russia is with a woman who was raised in homeless shelters. She really looks after the homeless and has made all of us aware of how to take care of those living in bad situations. I admire the fact that you give what aid you can."

"I don't know why I always expect the worst from everyone." She sent him a look from under her eyelashes. "See? I'm not an angel. I think the worst of people."

"You don't, Zelie. You look for the best in others, and because you do, you find it. You have a sunny personality and people gravitate toward you."

That soft flush was back in her cheeks. "You have a way of saying the loveliest things to me. I'm not used to it, so I never know what to say, except thank you."

" Thank you is perfect."

"But it doesn't convey how I feel about you. Or the way you make me feel. Like bringing me here. This is such a cool place." She looked around her. "It's packed," Azelie pointed out. "Crazy packed. Like all the cool people come here. How did you find this club? Is it just the fact that you're hot as hell and cool as they come? Do they have a secret message they send out to the cool kids to invite them? Do you have a code to get in? A secret handshake?"

He found himself laughing. She made life fun. He'd sat in the club dozens of times and enjoyed the music and food, but he hadn't laughed. He hadn't looked around and noted the celebrities or the couples whispering to one another over their drinks. He just hadn't been alive.

Lana and her brother, Preacher, had come in. Master, Keys and Player followed. His three bandmates were seated at a table near the bar. Lana and Preacher were given a table for four in the shadows but close to the piano, exactly where they had asked to be seated when they made the reservations. Management was very aware one of the Crows Flying members had a special surprise for his lady. They were being extremely cooperative. It wasn't often they were able to get the band to come in and play.

Crows Flying stayed close to home. They were an internet sensation thanks to modern technology, but they didn't often take gigs outside of the roadhouse. They recorded, but only for themselves. Since Seychelle had been with them, lending her gorgeous voice, they'd made several new recordings, and all of them had ended up on the internet. For sale. Maestro suspected Code had something to do with it, but he never asked.

"I love music, and good musicians come here to play. I'm in a band called Crows Flying. We'll be playing tonight; that's your surprise. Part of it, anyway."

Her eyes went wide with shock and excitement. "Seriously? You're going to play here tonight?" She looked around the room again. "Did all these people come to hear you play?"

"We have a small following."

"Why haven't I heard of you?"

"We don't take gigs in too many places. Mostly, the music is online." He wasn't lying to her. He was determined to give her as much of himself as he could. There was the sin of omission, but he was certain she would understand once he was able to give her full disclosure.

Her eyes had gone soft, nearly liquid. He loved how she looked at him. He sent up a silent prayer to whatever gods there were in the universe to never take that from him. He craved that look. Needed it. He went to sleep thinking about her and woke up with her on his mind. Always, when he imagined her, she had that look on her face.

"If I forget to tell you, in all the excitement of hearing you play, thank you for the wonderful and unique surprises you give to me. You're such an amazing man, and the way you treat me is unlike anything I've ever experienced. I love being with you."

Before he could answer her the waiter arrived, setting their salads on the table. He had already given them both water and told them the wine would be served during the main course. He engaged with the waiter for a moment, giving him time he wanted to give only to Azelie, but he recognized the waiter was a fan of his music. He appreciated those who enjoyed the band's music, and he wasn't about to let them down.

He wasn't a man who easily shared himself with outsiders, but it was important to him to do his part for the band. He knew being friendly and talking to people outside their club wasn't easy for the others either. Unless they were playing roles, each of them stayed away from outsiders. Their music wasn't a role they played. Their world was the music. Opening themselves up where they were so vulnerable was disconcerting.

Once the waiter left their table, he picked up his fork and indicated her salad with it. The way she gave him honesty was refreshing. Something he wasn't used to in women. He'd found that the ones he knew outside of the club had a motive for being with him. It wasn't about him—it was about them and what he could do for them. He had money. He played in a band. He had massive sex appeal.

"You give back to me more than you could ever know, Zelie. There is a reason I call you my little sunshine. You've brought life to me. I feel alive when I'm with you. I swear I didn't know there was anything but cold and darkness until you came into my life."

Her eyes had that softness to them he'd come to rely on. She gave a little shake of her head, as if she couldn't quite believe him. He continued before she could protest.

"I had my music, my woodworking and the men and women that survived the school of horrors. I know that's far more than other people are gifted with, but I also have so many demons. I just couldn't trust anyone outside my immediate circle. At first, when I watched you, I couldn't believe you were true. I kept waiting to see you betray someone. Take a dig at them. Be ugly when the light wasn't on you. It was difficult to allow myself to believe you were the real deal. That's why you're my sunshine. You brought light to me. Hope. Most of all, you made a believer out of me."

He took a bite of the salad, which he always liked. With her sharing the table and eating the same salad, the flavors were even better. He enjoyed the food much more sharing it with her.

"I didn't even enjoy sex that much. It was more of a release than anything else. With the kind of work I did, I never turned to drugs, but I did drink in an effort to sleep at night without nightmares. It didn't work. I just woke up with a hangover and empty bottles strewn around my room. Fortunately, I wasn't an alcoholic, because it looked like I tried to be. That period didn't last long, but I'm ashamed to say I did my best to drown my sorrows."

He got those eyes again. She gave a little shake of her head. "Self-medicating is very common when you suffer trauma."

He arched one eyebrow. "Did you self-medicate?"

"My mother was an alcoholic," she reminded him. "Quentin used drugs. I didn't want any part of either one. I separated myself from the rest of the world as best I could and poured myself into college and the books I was writing."

"Baby, I just want to point out that you did a crap job of separating yourself from the rest of the world. You have single parents and their children, street kids, three of the funniest older women I've ever encountered and two older men who all dote on you."

She sent him a small smile. "Yes, well, I doted on them but had no idea they returned the feeling."

She took a deep breath, her gaze clinging to his. He knew her so well now that it was apparent to him she was going to give him another revelation about herself. That was her way. He gave up information and she responded in kind, not wanting him to feel vulnerable. Looking out for him. Bog , he loved that about her.

"I never feel like anyone can love the real me. Or even see the real me. It makes me feel like a fraud. I had to hide my dislike of my brother-in-law once I was old enough to realize he was cheating on my sister, doing drugs, and living off the money she made. Then there's Billows. I'm working for a man who is part of some criminal ring. He isn't the only one involved. He has businesses, people who pay into his accounts. Most of them are not legitimate, but I'm doing his books and not telling a soul." She flashed a little self-deprecating smile at him. "Until you. I have no idea why or how I managed to give you the real me. I don't know how you see me under all the layers of guilt and survival instincts I have. Of course, I think you do have a tendency to glamorize me. I'm definitely not an angel, and I don't want you to be disappointed."

"You don't have to be everyone else's version of an angel. Only mine. My angel can have a bit of a temper, not that I see many signs of it. But it's all right with me. If you were society's standard of perfect, you never would be able to live with me."

"You always say the perfect thing to me."

He was grateful she thought so. At least she didn't think he was a controlling dictator. He spent the rest of dinner laughing with her. He was convinced she could make the mundane fun. Time was running out on him. It would be time to play with his band soon. He could see Player, Master and Keys making their way to the table.

"I'm going to give you a gift tonight," he said. "I wrote a song for you. It's yours. I'll be playing it on the piano at some point."

Her head went up, and again he got those shiny, liquid eyes. Eyes shining for him. "You wrote a song for me?"

He nodded. "Music is my way of expressing myself. I don't want you to have any misgivings at all about the way I feel about you. I've never written a song for anyone else. I write music and play it, but I'm no lyricist. This is my first time writing words to express my feelings. Usually, it's all about the music with me."

"You're too good to me, Andrii. I have no idea how to keep us equal in giving. I don't have any creative talent like you do with music."

He flashed her a grin to cover the real reaction to her genuine response. She was giving him so much already, she just didn't know. "It could be a disaster. You might hate it."

"I'll love it because you wrote it for me."

His three Torpedo Ink brothers made it to their table. He stood to meet them. "Let me introduce my lady, Azelie, to you. Babe, these are the men who own the construction company with me and are crazy music fiends, just like me."

He indicated the man she would be familiar with. Keys gave off the impression of a stalking jungle cat, with his fluid muscles, dark hair and piercing hazel eyes.

"This is Lazar Alexeev. Do you remember him coming into the coffeehouse with me that first time? Lazar is the man who knew about the place." He had known because he'd followed Azelie there.

Keys sent her a grin and gave her a little courtly bow. "Nice to finally meet the woman who captured Andrii."

That sweet color slid up her neck into her face, flushing her skin a wild rose. "I don't know that I've captured him, but I love being with him."

"You took him prisoner, woman. I'm Kir Vasiliev. Known your man a long time, and I've got a wife who manages to twist me around her little finger. Don't know how she does it, but I see that same look on Andrii's face that stares back at me in the mirror when I'm trying to figure out how I got so damn lucky."

Kir Vasiliev could be a very intimidating man. He was big with a great deal of muscle. Scarred and tattooed. He looked as if he'd been to prison, which he had, many times. Azelie didn't look intimidated. She laughed at Kir's—Master's—comment. The tone was low and soft but sounded like a melody running through Maestro's head. He reached for her hand and brought it to his chest.

"Yeah, you did, babe. I think you cast a spell."

She laughed again, the sound inviting. "First he calls me an angel, and now I'm a witch."

"Love the way you laugh," the third man said. "Name's Gedeon Lazaroff. You have that same perfect pitch Seychelle has. Do you sing?"

Gedeon, aka Player, had striking blue eyes, was tall and muscular. He had light brown hair and wore a mustache and a small, barely there, beard.

Azelie looked horrified. "If I sing, the children put their hands over their ears."

"She can't lie worth shit," Keys said. "That's one thing you've got going for you, Andrii."

"They don't put their hands over their ears," Azelie conceded, "but I don't push my luck." She sent Keys a little smile.

"We're going to have to get this show on the road," Maestro said. "Are you going to be all right sitting here by yourself?"

"Of course. But I might go say hello to Lana. She's got a table right near the piano. There's four chairs, and it's just her and the man she came in with."

"I'll walk you over there," Maestro offered, and stood up to circle around the small table. Things were working out exactly like he needed them to.

***

Azelie took Andrii's hand as they walked around the tables to join Lana and the man she was with. Lana jumped up and hugged her. "I'm so happy you're here." Her gaze flicked to Andrii and their linked hands. "Hi, Andrii. We came to be supportive tonight. You know we're crazy about your music." She switched her attention back to Azelie. "I go to most of the Crows Flying gigs."

"I think everyone knew about the band but me," Azelie said. "I don't get out much."

"They're all over the internet," Lana said helpfully. She turned to the man who had stood when Azelie and Andrii approached the table. "This is my brother, Kasimir. He's not too bad until he gets in his bossy mode. Kas, this is Azelie. She goes to the college."

Kasimir Popov, aka Preacher, had curls no matter what he did to tame his hair. He looked far less intimidating than the band members because of those curls. That was deceptive, Azelie decided. He had muscle running beneath his clothing. He might look friendly, but he had that same reserve Andrii's bandmates had.

Preacher flashed a grin. "Someone needs to boss her." He shook hands with Andrii. "Would you care to join us? We have the room."

"I'll be playing shortly, but I'd appreciate your looking after Azelie."

"You got it, brother," Kasimir responded easily.

Azelie looked from Kasimir to Andrii. They knew each other. She couldn't tell with Lana, but she was certain there was a connection to Kasimir. Maybe it was the fact that Lana attended the Crows Flying gigs and Kasimir went with her. Still, Andrii didn't really look at Lana, and she was gorgeous. She was one of the most beautiful women Azelie had ever seen.

Andrii caught her chin and tilted her face up to his. "I'll be the one playing either guitar or piano. You can focus on me." He murmured the command against her lips, his tone low, the words barely spoken aloud, but she heard them, and it made her smile. Did he really think any other man in the room could compare to him?

She licked along the seam of his lips, deliberately inviting his kiss. He was a member of a popular band, and there were bound to be others watching them, but in that moment, she didn't care. She wanted only to reassure him. Maybe it was a mistake after all. He kissed her. Gathered her into his arms, locked her against him and kissed her. Not gently. Passionately. Claiming her. Demanding surrender, and she gave herself to him because that was what he needed. That was what she wanted. It was only when she was certain she was going to burst into flames that he lifted his head. Even then, his thumb whispered over her lips.

"Be good while I'm working."

She gave him her mischievous smile. "I'm an angel, remember?"

"Stay that way until I'm with you," he cautioned and held out her chair.

Azelie obligingly sank into it and watched him saunter across the floor, threading his way easily through the tables to join the other three members of Crows Flying.

"I love their music," Lana said. She waved her hand to take in the entire bar. "You can see how popular they are."

Azelie wanted to enjoy the moment. Enjoy watching her man play with his band for the first time. He'd set the date up himself. Chosen to surprise her. The food had been delicious, and he had been totally focused on her, not paying any attention to the female interest directed his way. She'd noticed, but he hadn't seemed to. Or if he had, he didn't care. Azelie chose to put aside her questions about Andrii's friendship with Lana and her brother until she was back home and alone. Right now, she was determined to soak in every moment of her dream date.

Lana grinned at her. "You like that man."

Azelie nodded. "More than like. I really hope he's real."

Kasimir made a sound like a growling wolf. "He's as real as it gets, honey. I've known him awhile now. I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you."

Azelie resisted the urge to ask how Kasimir knew Andrii, mostly because she didn't want him to lie, and she had the feeling he might. Worse, he would do so convincingly. If he did, it stood to reason Andrii was doing the same.

She flashed a vague smile and turned her attention to the man announcing the band. The applause was thunderous when he said they were fortunate to get the chance for Crows Flying to play in their club. That much was true, then. There was a measure of relief knowing Andrii had told the truth about his band.

The band was well-known to some and clearly had a loyal following. The testament was the amount of people who seemed to know all the lyrics to the songs. Azelie found the band amazing. The music was incredible. They didn't play cover songs; all the music was their own.

Her heart beat far too fast when Andrii put down his guitar and went to the piano. He leaned into the microphone. "Don't sing as a rule. I leave that to Seychelle or one of the others. But tonight, I'll be playing a special song I wrote for my lady. First time playing it, so forgive me if it isn't perfect yet."

Azelie could barely breathe. He didn't have to announce to everyone in the room that he'd written the song for her. Or that she was his lady. He'd made the declaration in his compelling, soft tone, the one guaranteed to send heat down a woman's spine. Those in the room broke into applause. She could feel eyes on her and was grateful Lana's table was tucked into the shadows.

Then Andrii began to play. The music was moody at first. Then hopeful. So beautiful it brought tears to her eyes. And that was before he even began to sing.

I was once a broken man, who had learned nothing but hate.

A lonely fearful soul, who did not believe in fate.

There was a darkness around me, a blinding stormy haze.

No light could pierce the veil, nothing could bring the days.

Truth was just a stranger, and trust was just a word.

Empty promises were all I'd ever heard.

Then came the sun, there you are.

Then came the one, my shiny star.

Solnyshkuh , a beautiful song.

You sang to me, you're where I belong.

This is something real, this is something new.

Love took pain's place, and it's because of you.

Never had much of my own, never really needed it.

A soldier without a home, lonelier than I'd admit.

Never believed I'd have a life, not one worth living.

Not in this cold dark world, one so unforgiving.

On the brink of extinction, I fought hard on my own.

So few connections, betrayal was all I'd ever known.

Then came the sun, there you are.

Then came the one, my shiny star.

Solnyshkuh , a beautiful song.

You sang to me, you're where I belong.

This is something real, this is something new.

Love took pain's place, and it's because of you.

You lift me up and bring me peace.

Because of you, now I believe.

You show me love and how to laugh.

I finally found the missing half.

How could I know, how could I see,

Just what you would bring to me?

Little sunshine,

Love of mine.

Little sunshine,

Love of mine.

Then came the sun, there you are.

Then came the one, my shiny star.

Solnyshkuh , a beautiful song.

You sang to me, you're where I belong.

This is something real, this is something new.

Love took pain's place, and it's because of you.

The notes of the music faded and those in the bar applauded wildly. Azelie couldn't look at Lana, or anyone else. She could only see Andrii. Her eyes met his across the room and her heart stuttered at the way he was looking back at her. His face was usually a mask, expressionless, impossible for most people to read. Right at that moment, he was looking at her with open devotion. Even love. If she hadn't already been free-falling right off the cliff, she certainly was now. He was the most amazing man in the world as far as she was concerned. She didn't understand what it was about her that he found so wonderful, but it was evident from the song he'd written that he believed she was the one for him.

How could she not fall in love with him after that? How could she continue to hold part of herself back even when she knew he was holding back some truths? Lana made a single sound distracting her, then put her hand over Azelie's.

Lana leaned in close. "Isn't that the man who was at the bus stop when we first met?"

Azelie looked wildly around the room. Billows and a tall woman who looked familiar, like a model out of a magazine, were at the door being greeted by the hostess. Terror froze her in her place. For a moment, she couldn't breathe. She was risking Andrii's life for selfish reasons. What was wrong with her? Andrii deserved so much better, someone who would put his wants and needs first. His safety. He was thoughtful and protective. She couldn't allow Billows to know she was dating Andrii.

Azelie could only be thankful that Billows hadn't come in when Andrii was playing the piano and singing her song. He was back playing the guitar. She knew he noted Billows the moment he entered the club.

"I'm not feeling very well," she told Lana. It was the truth. She texted Andrii that she'd meet him at her apartment. "I'll take an Uber home."

"We'll see you home," Kasimir said immediately. "We have a car."

It was too late. Billows headed straight to her table, while the host escorted his supermodel to their much more intimate table.

Azelie plastered on a smile. "Alan. How good to see you, although we were just about to leave."

"Alan Billows." Billows held out his hand to Kasimir, his gaze sweeping over Lana. "Azelie works for me."

"Kasimir Popov," Lana's brother replied. "This is Lana."

Billows gave Lana his charming smile. "Nice to meet you. I hope we have a chance to meet again. Azelie can give you the particulars, but any friends of hers are always welcome at either of my clubs." He handed Lana his business card. "Show that to the doorman. He'll contact me and I'll show you around."

Azelie found it significant that he gave his card to Lana, not her brother. She also found it extremely interesting that Billows didn't connect Kasimir with her, or if he did, he didn't respond with jealousy or threats. Was that because he'd brought a woman with him to the club and thought it would be inappropriate? That didn't seem to mesh with his personality. The Billows she knew couldn't care less about acting inappropriately.