"Let me help you." Nick came around to support my arm.
"No need. I'll go myself."
Sea wind carrying salt spray hit my face. I walked toward that familiar shop, clutching the wooden box, the sign swaying gently in the breeze.
I pushed open the door. The bell chimed.
"Welcome—"
Noelle's voice cut off. She stood frozen with her paintbrush, staring at me in disbelief.
"Kholod? You..."
"I found it." I walked over and set the box on the counter. "The lazurite you wanted."
She stared blankly at the box.
"Open it," I said.
She hesitantly lifted the lid, her breath catching.
"This... this is..."
"Top-grade lazurite," I said. "I dug it out myself."
"You went to Afghanistan?" Her voice trembled. "There's a war going on!"
"I know."
"Why risk it?"
"Because it's what you wanted." I looked into her eyes. "Noelle, whatever you want, I'll get it for you."
Her gaze fell on my bandaged hands.
"Your hands..."
"Nothing, just scratches," I said, though my fingers were still throbbing. "Noelle, I did it. That chance to make things right—does it still count?"
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Noelle
"Tara, you're really going to let him stay?"
Lorenzo stood at my front door, his face dark with anger, eyes fixed on Kholod, who sat awkwardly in my living room, looking completely out of place.
"I made a promise." I kept my voice calm. "Lorenzo, he did bring back the lazurite. I can't go back on my word."
That condition was meant to make him back down. I never thought he'd actually risk his life to bring back the mineral, returning covered in cuts and bruises. Right now, I couldn't bring myself to keep being harsh.
"But—"
"He wants to make amends, so I'll let him." I shrugged. "What's wrong with free labor?"
Lorenzo stared at me in disbelief. "Tara, are you serious?"
"Of course." I nodded. "Lorenzo, think about it. We're both busy, and taking care of Leo is exhausting enough. Now someone's helping—doesn't that make things easier?"
