I know what would make you feel better,” Kole announced to Mila as he came out of the bathroom to their suite.

She turned to him from the lounge chair on the balcony. Unable to keep his hands off of her, he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. He knew how stressed she was over their situation. As much as he wanted her to relax and enjoy the tropical island, she would not. She was wound tighter than a two-dollar watch.

“And what might that be?” She swung her legs over the side of the chair, and he held his hand out to her and helped her up.

“Shooting something,” he announced. A smile broke out on her face and he knew he hit the nail on the head.

“Who do we get to kill?” she asked, her face instantly lighting up. Excitement buzzed from her as she waited for his answer.

A laugh escaped him at her devious nature. God, that’s why he loved her.

He paused as the realization set in.

He loved her?

Where did that come from? He glanced back at her and her face fell as he chuckled. Yeah, he guessed he did love her. He leaned in again and nibbled on her lower lip.

“A gun range. We can go to the local gun range and help you blow off some steam,” he chuckled against her lips.

“Well, I guess that’s just as good.” She smiled sheepishly as she pulled back.

“Can’t have you running off and murdering people on a small island. That’s how you would draw unwanted attention to yourself.”

“I guess your right,” she murmured as he pulled her behind him through their luxury suite. He knew that it had been a few days since she discharged her weapon, and if he knew her, her little hands would be itching to pull the trigger of a gun.

“I’ve arranged for a taxi to take us,” he announced, intertwining their fingers together.

“Anyone coming with us?”

“Yes,” Kole said, opening the door to their suite. Denis and Jethro stood waiting for them in the hallway. They were both dressed in vacation clothing, trying to blend in with the people on the island. But Kole knew that they were packing heat in order to protect Mila.

“Hello, boys,” Mila said in greeting. This should be fun. A little friendly competition between the four of them should be a good way to blow off steam.

“Kelli.” Denis nodded to her. Even on the island, they had to keep up the charade. A couple exited the suite next to theirs, all smiles, and nodded as they walked past them. “The taxi is waiting for us.”

“Excellent,” Kole murmured as they followed behind Denis and Jethro. They reached the main entrance of the resort and found a white minivan waiting for them.

The driver excited the vehicle and opened the door for them. They piled into the van, with Mila grabbing a window seat. She smiled at Kole as he settled in next to her. His arm found its way around her, drawing her close to him. After assuring everyone was comfortable, the driver hopped back in his seat, pulling the van out onto the road.

“It’s beautiful,” she murmured, staring out into the beautiful tropical scenery.

“Sure is.” Kole’s lips grazed the shell of her ear as he leaned toward her. He had been to Bermuda plenty of times, and yes, it was beautiful, but it didn’t hold a candle to Mila.

“I meant the scenery,” she chuckled as she swatted him with her hand.

“You’re going to love this place.” He’d been to this particular gun range a few times before.

The owner was on his payroll, and Kole trusted that they would be able to enjoy themselves in peace. Mila would have to get used to his men protecting her. He could see the doubt in her eyes before, but his men would protect her for the simple fact that she was his woman. It didn’t matter anymore that she was of a rival organization. Mila, the woman, was his, and she would be protected.

“The range offers outdoor and indoor shooting,” Denis announced. They have practically any gun that you can think of available to shoot.”

“Really?” Mila turned to Denis.

“Hell yeah. You have to try out the MP5K. I think you’d like it,” Dennis offered.

Kole knew that Denis could talk guns for days, and by the glint in Mila’s eyes, she could too.

“I already like the sound of this place, and I haven’t even gotten my hands on one of them yet.”

Kole chucked to himself and knew that he had lost her attention. Denis held it now.

* * *

Kole had to will his cock down as he stared at Mila in the shooting stall. She stood with her legs apart in the perfect form for holding a gun. His eyes were locked on her tan limbs, imagining them wrapped around his waist in the midst of their passion. He leaned back against the wall as he watched her shoot her weapon, pitying anyone on the wrong side of her gun.

He scowled as he realized she was drawing attention to herself. Her almost perfect aim had the shooting range in an uproar, as men began crowding around, watching her hit every mark. Silence filled the air as she lowered her weapon. Kole knew that the locals weren’t used to seeing someone with Mila’s skill behind a weapon.

His eyes cut over to Denis, and he could tell his friend was thinking the same thing. Mila took her ear protectors off, placed her gun on the counter in front of her and stepped back.

She turned and was immediately swarmed by the onlookers. A cocky smile spread across her face as she spoke with members of the crowd. Kole pushed off the wall and nodded his head to Denis, signaling it was time to go. He may have the owner of the range in his back pocket, but the locals were another thing. Bermuda was an island with close-knit people who loved to talk.

Denis pushed through the crowd and grabbed Mila by her arm, dragging her out of the crowd. Drawing attention was not good. Kole knew that Jethro would stay behind and speak to the owner about erasing the video in the range.

“Where are we going? Why are we leaving?” Mila snapped as they exited the building. Kole strode over to the waiting taxi. He had paid the driver good money to wait for them. The sound of the vehicle turning on filled the air before the driver guided the vehicle over to them.

“Kole, why are we leaving? I was kicking ass back there!” Mila demanded as she came to stand next to him. “It was harmless fun. The men in there were enjoying my shooting.”

“Enjoying it too well. We don’t want you to be the talk of the town. When word gets out about a female with a Russian accent, tattoos, and shooting with the precision of an assassin, what do you think will happen?” he snapped as he turned to her. He glared down at her, frustrated that she couldn’t see what was happening in front of her. She may be in a wig to disguise herself, but everyone knows that hair color could change. Most people gunning for her would expect something on her to change, and hair would be the first thing.

She returned his glare with her chest rapidly rising and falling. He knew that she was pissed, but he didn’t care. His top priority was keeping her safe, and if that meat pulling her from a public place and locking her in a steel room with no windows, then he would.

The fight slowly faded from her eyes as realization set in. She blew out a deep breath as she turned her face away from him.

“Look, I’m sorry. I was having too much fun in there. I let the attention get to my head,” she admitted, turning to him.

“It’s okay. I should have never recommended this. I knew you were good, but I didn’t realize how good.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. He laid a kiss on her forehead and motioned for Denis to get the car door. He ushered Mila over to the waiting taxi.

He turned to see Jethro heading out of the building.

“Everything all right?” Kole asked as Jethro made it to the vehicle.

“Yeah, I spoke to Ricardo and he’ll take care of the security video.”

“Good,” Kole nodded. He knew that he would be able to trust the owner of the range to erase any proof that Mila was there. It was just the patrons of the range that he was worried about.

They fell into a tense silence as the vehicle pulled out onto the road. Kole glanced at Mila and found her deep in thought, staring out the window. When they returned to the resort, he would have to break the news that they would have to leave the island. They would need to stay a step ahead of the assassins that he was sure were coming for her. He pulled his phone from his pocket and sent a text to Peter. It was time that they ready the yacht.

“We’re leaving, aren’t we?” she asked in a low voice. He turned to find her still staring off at the scenery.

Guess he was making the announcement earlier than he thought. He wouldn’t hide it from her, only the location of where they would go next.

“Yeah,” he said, looking down at his phone as Peter responded immediately, informing him that the crew would be ready by morning. Pleased with the information, he placed his phone back in his pocket.

“Running has never been my style, Kole,” she said, turning toward him.

“I know.” He sighed and placed his arm around her shoulders. “But you heard your brother, he doesn’t want you involved. I may not agree with your brother on many things, but I do on this. I’ll keep you alive and safe while he handles it at home.”

“You know, you and him are a lot alike,” she drawled, pushing the blonde hair away from her face.

“Really?” Her brother was a ruthless and powerful gangster that had been a thorn in his side for years.

“Oh, yes,” she snorted. “Of course you would be blind to it. Both of you are intelligent, generous, fierce, and well-respected.”

“Hmm.”

“She just described you to a T,” Denis chuckled from his seat in the taxi.

“That’s why they don’t get along. They are basically the same person,” she laughed.

“We don’t get along because he’s trying to take over my organization,” Kole noted, but knew that she was trying to lighten the mood in the vehicle.

“Not trying to put a damper on the mood, but I think someone’s following us,” Jethro announced, staring out the back window. His position sitting across from Kole and Mila gave him an advantage.

The laughter immediately stopped.

“Are you certain?” Kole asked in a low voice, refraining from turning around. If they were being followed, he wouldn’t want to let on that they knew.

“The black sedan has been behind us for the past mile.” Jethro revealed. “We’re almost at the resort.” Jethro pulled his weapon from the waist of his pants.

“See, this is why I need a gun,” Mila proclaimed and leaned into to him to place a kiss on his cheek, giving her a chance to look out the back window.

“Recognize anyone?” he murmured as she sat back. The driver made a right turn onto the driveway that led up to the resort.

“No, the car was too far back,” she replied. He could see the emotions crossing her face. Anger and determination were present, along with another one he didn’t think he would ever see on her twice.

Vulnerability.

“It kept going,” Jethro announced, letting out a deep breath. They all sat back in their seats, but none of them relaxed. This was a close call, and Kole hoped that this would be the only one.

“We leave before sunrise,” Kole informed them, drawing Mila close. He refused to let anyone get close to her.

No, he wouldn’t be losing her.