"Dad," she whispered, so small. "I miss you so much."
"I missed you, too, little princess," Igor murmured, kissing her hair. "Sorry I scared you."
"I wasn't that scared," Stella said, looking up with solemn little bravery. "Because I knew Mom and Dadwould save me."
Igor's eyes glistened. The man who hadn't flinched under a rain of bullets had tears in his eyes because of a child's simple truth. He reached for my hand. I took it, feeling the warmth and strength in his palm.
Together, the three of us walked over the ruined battlefield, stepping around the fallen, toward the speedboat waiting not far off.
Moonlight glittered on the water. The breeze cut through the smell of blood and gunpowder. For the first time in a long while, we could go home.
Chapter Thirty
Elena
Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting soft shadows on the white sheets. I opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was Igor's face.
He was still asleep, his handsome features softened by the morning light. I reached out and gently stroked his cheek, my fingers tracing his strong jawline.
His eyes fluttered, then opened, those deep green ones locking onto mine.
"Morning," his voice rasped, still thick with sleep.
"Morning," I said with a smile.
He pulled me into his arms, resting his chin on top of my head. We lay there, just holding each other, savoring the rare quiet moment.
It had been two weeks since that heart-pounding rescue. I still had nightmares—dreams of Stella crying in her cage, Natasha's insane grin, the blood and gunfire. Every time I jolted awake, Igor would hold me, whispering comforts, assuring me it was all over.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked, his voice rumbling above me.
"You," I answered honestly. "Us."
He went quiet for a moment, then sighed.
"Elena," he said, his tone heavy, "I need to apologize again."
I looked up at him.
"Why?"
"For back then," guilt filled his eyes. "For not having the courage to choose you, for letting you suffer so much, for—"
I pressed my finger to his lips.
"Stop," I said softly. "That's all in the past."
"But I—"
"Igor," I looked him straight in the eyes, "do you know what I was thinking when you showed up alone on that ship?"
He shook his head.
"I thought, this man is risking his life for me and Stella. He could have brought his men in, but he went in solo because he didn't want us getting hurt," I said sincerely. "In that moment, I knew you really loved us. You've proved it with your actions—you won't betray us again."
Igor's eyes reddened.
"I thought I'd lose you both," his voice choked. "Seeing you tied up, Stella in that cage... I've never been so scared. I'm not afraid of dying, but losing you..."
