And some cowardly part of me—the part that isn't pakhan, that isn't the ruthless asshole everyone believes me to be—doesn't want to see it. Doesn't want to watch her look at me like I'm the monster who destroyed her world.
Even though I am.
But that's exactly why Ihaveto open it.
Because she needs to know that no matter how badly I've hurt her, I will always show up. I will always find her when she needs to be found.
So I grip the handle and push the door open.
Holly is sitting up in bed, wrapped in blankets. Her face is pale, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. When she sees me, her expression almost buckles under the weight of holding back her tears.
“I’m sorry I ran.”
“My love…” I drop beside her bed.
“I got frightened. It was stupid.” Her face cracks. “Thank you for finding me. I was so scared.”
“I will always find you.”
“I know.”
I slide onto the bed beside her and gather her into my arms. She comes willingly, tucking herself against my chest with a broken sound that tears me apart.
Her face presses into my neck, her breath warm against my skin.
My heart hammers so hard I'm certain she can feel it. The terror I've been holding back since I found her in the snow.
I could have lost her.
The woman who's become everything.
For a long moment, we just hold each other.
“The Wolf is on his way,” I say softly.
I feel her stiffen, then she lets out a rough exhale and nods.
“But you will be safe in here. I have two men right outside that bedroom door. Noone is getting in.”
She lets me go. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
I cup her face. “This ends today,malyshka. I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again.”
I brush my lips to hers and then let her go.
I am ready to make good on that vow.
I leave her and walk toward the door.
"Nikolai."
I stop, my hand on the doorknob.
"Be careful," she says quietly.
I look back at her, and for a moment, our eyes meet. In hers, I see fear. And beneath it, love.
I walk out, closing the door behind me, and prepare to face the monster who's been hunting the woman I love.
