His mouth twitches in that almost-smile way of his, and I swear I might melt into a puddle on the floor right about now. “You’ll get them.”
Sofia comes into the room and tugs my arm gently. “We’re staying, Mama?”
I smile. “Yes. Just for a little longer.”
She nods and looks to Viktor. “Thank you for letting us stay. Can we still do that puzzle?”
Viktor’s lips twitch a little more, but he nods.
I look down at Leon, and his squeal tells me apparently all of us are on board now. The last two weeks have been the calmest he’s had in months. A steadiness he needs. That weallneed. And maybe that’s the real reason I was so reluctant to leave…
“I guess we can unpack a little. If we can still use this room and the one next door? Or we can move to another room?—”
“No. You’ll stay in my bedroom and the one next door. Where I can keep an eye on you all.”
I nod again, knowing from his resolute tone that he won’t change his mind on this. “And when do I start the job?”
“Monday.”
I smile again. “Okay, boss. Monday.”
Again, his lips twitch, and I’m willing him so hard in my head.Smile—just give me that darn smile that slips out very occasionally.The same smile that makes my insides turn into a flutter of frantic butterflies.
I meet Viktor’s gaze again, and it feels like we’re standing on the edge of something.Something big. Something dangerous. Something real.
And despite myself, I think, just maybe, I’m already falling over that edge.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
VIKTOR
It’s late as I trudge up the stairs that evening. It was supposed to be a quick bit of work. Check the shipment and follow up on some new leads on people wanting weapons. But, as fucking usual, it turned into more running around.
I sigh deeply. Most of the Kremlin is quiet, and I can’t help how my steps hurry me toward my room where I know she’ll be. Checking in on her one last time. Just to say goodnight. Just to see her. I just want to make sure she’s okay. That there are no more nightmares bothering her and keeping her up.
That’s what I tell myself anyway.
The truth is I know she’s taking up more space in my head. More and more each day, like she’s settling roots into the recesses of my mind. And tonight?It’s unbearable.
I’m overstimulated from my day, still trying to calm down from it. But it’s the memory of her laugh, the shape of her mouth when shesays my name, the soft way she touched my arm in the garden, and the way she smiled at me when I offered her the job…
I swallow down the heat that curls up the back of my throat, knocking at the bedroom door before stepping inside when I hear her voice.
She’s seated on the bed, already in one of those soft little pajama sets she wears. This one is pale blue, the hem of the shorts grazing her beautiful thighs. Her perfect pale skin starkly jumps out from the dark silk of my sheets. Her feet are bare, and her hair falls in loose waves around her face. And for a second all I do is stand there like a dumbass and stare.She’s absolutely stunning.
The kids are safe and sound, tucked up in bed in the room next door. She looks over at me with a smile, and just like that I’m sucked in more. Sunbeams that hits me harder than they should.Than I should allow.
“Hey,” she says gently.
“I just wanted to check in. Say goodnight,” I reply, my voice low as I linger by the door.
Her expression is unreadable for a second as she studies me. Slowly she pats the spot on the bed beside her. “You’re not going to sit? Talk about your day?”
I hesitate.
I don’t even know what to say to that.
I’ve never told anyone about my day. About the things that sink their claws into me. That’s asking for trouble because no one seems to understand.
