Page 132 of Betrayal and Vows

He opens his mouth to argue, but Lyudmila smacks his shoulder with surprising force. "Listen to your woman. Sit."

Your woman.

Yes. That's exactly what I am.

“Dmitri, get her some fucking clothes,” Anton growls.

“Will you stop?” I hiss. “I’m covered.”

He looks at me and then tugs the blanket up higher.

I roll my eyes but do as he asks.

Anton reluctantly sits beside me. I can see just how badly they hurt him. The cut above his eye is deep and has dried blood crusted over it. His knuckles are split and swollen. Dark bruises bloom across his ribs where his torn shirt hangs open.

"They did this because of me," I whisper.

Luda gently cleans the blood from his temple with a damp cloth.

“This isn't your fault, Lena."

"Does it hurt?" I ask.

“No.”

I smile. “Liar.”

"You two are disgustingly sweet," Dmitri calls from where he's collapsed in an armchair by the fire.

"Let them be," Luda scolds, but there's fondness in her voice. "They've earned a moment of peace."

Peace. The word feels foreign after everything we've been through.

She finishes cleaning Anton and then turns her attention to Dmitri. He tries to fight it, but there’s no arguing with the woman.

Once she’s satisfied we have all been properly treated, she dishes up bowls of borscht, instructs us to sleep and disappears.

Dmitri finishes his meal and looks at each of us. “You know this isn’t over.”

“I know,” I whisper.

“Don’t,” Anton warns.

Dmitri looks at me again. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Thank you, Dmitri. For everything. I know the risk you took. I know the danger you are in. Thank you.”

He flashes a grin. “I was ready for a little fun in my life.”

Then it’s just Anton and me.

“Sleep,” Anton says.

“I can’t.”

“I’ll keep watch.”

“You think they’ll find us here?”