CHAPTER 99: OPENNESS

NATASHA

I knew my husband was doing everything he could to distract me from our current situation.

But it wasn't working.

Yesterday felt like a nightmare intruding on my reality. Even with Michael's cousins around, I couldn't stop thinking about what I had witnessed.

"Can't sleep?" Michael asked, his hand gently caressing my shoulder as he planted a kiss on the crook of my neck.

I held his hand, looking over my shoulder and nodded. "How can we be sure we're safe?"

"My guys are stepping up their efforts. I've hired additional men, but don't worry, our safety is my priority," he promised, pulling me closer as the cold night enveloped us.

"Was it Elena?" My voice nearly faltered as I said the name of the person who had frightened me.

"We're not sure yet. There are other issues at play as well. Let's focus on us," he said, smoothly changing the subject. "I've been thinking we should start... planning for the future?"

I hesitated. I wasn't sure what to say about that, as so many things wer