For a second, I can’t speak. Relief and fury crash together, becoming something that feels like wanting. I shake my head to clear it and only make it worse.
“Gavriil was here earlier,” I blurt out, because facts are safer.
“Today?” Dominik asks in confusion, as if worried he was so out of it, he can’t remember a conversation with his brother.
“Yes, earlier. He wanted to see you. I told him no.” My lips nearly curl up into a smile when both of his eyebrows shoot up to his hairline.
Something like pride flickers across his face and disappears before it can settle. “You told thePakhanno?”
“I told your brother no,” I say, because the other word tastes like giving him power that I don’t want to even pass my lips. “He mentioned your promise.”
“I told him that I would get back the guns and money,” he says. He slips the phone into his pocket, the white bandage under his shirt pulling slightly as he moves. “And I’ll make good on that promise.”
“You don’t have either yet,” I point out, hating the way my voice softens, like I can’t help protecting him with truth.
“I have men who know how to find both.” He studies me. “What I didn’t have was your foolish brother on a timeline.” He taps his pocket. “Now I do.”
“What if Archer doesn’t call back?”
“He will,” he says. “Because fear is a powerful motivator.” He takes one more step and the space between us shrinks until I have to tilt my chin up to maintain eye contact. “And because you asked him to. If he fails and you get hurt now, he’ll know it’s on him.”
The truth of that finds me where I didn’t want truth to go. I press my lips together. “I hate that you’re right.”
“I like when I am,” he says lightly, and then the lightness dies because he’s looking at my mouth and I’m looking at his. We’re both remembering our previous kisses. How intense they were. How easy it would be to do it again. Would the third be just as amazing? No, we can’t, because once we start that up again, I’m not sure if I’ll have the willpower to stop, and Dominik needs more time to heal.
“Don’t,” I whisper, and I’m not sure if I’m warning off him, me, or both of us.
Dominik still reaches out and grips the small of my back, tugging me closer to him. “You scared off my brother for me.”
A small smile teases my lips as I gaze up at him, enjoying how impressed he looks. “I don’t think I scared him at all.”
“Were you scared?” Dominik asks as he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear, his fingertips lingering on my skin.
“I was more worried about him disturbing you,” I admit. “You needed to rest.”
Dominik searches my eyes before leaning close, his lips grazing the corner of my mouth in a teasing touch. “Don’t risk yourself for me, hellcat.”
I exhale shakily, heat spreading throughout my entire body as he remains close. “You risked yourself for me. You’re hurt because of me.”
Dominik shakes his head before capturing my lips, moving with the kind of reckless carelessness only pain can’t stop. The kiss almost feels desperate. We both want it so achingly bad.
I need to pull away, but I get swept up in the intensity as his lips brush against mine. I place my hand on his abdomen, making sure that I don’t lean against his chest.
Dominik pushes his fingers into my hair, holding me close as our kiss deepens. His lips part against mine, his tongue flashing inside.
An uncontrollable moan breaks from me as I taste him, and it’s enough to knock me out of my trance. I pull away from him and give him a warning look since he seems damn near giddy about the kiss.
“No exertion,” I remind him. “I’d hate to have to call your ex to come patch you up again.”
“How did you –”
“I just did,” I reply.
Dominik huffs what’s almost a laugh, then he rolls his shoulders once, testing the bandage. Pain flickers in his face and then dissolves under his determination. Every movement looks like it cost him more than he’d ever admit.
“Go eat something,” he says, back in command. “That way you can sit at the dining table and pretend not to listen while I find out what my men have found out.”
I almost laugh, but it would only come out as a sob. “And you’ll rest while you’re doing that, right?”
