Anton's thumb brushes over the last charm. "And this one?"
"Saint Jude, patron of impossible causes." My voice drops to a whisper. "I've prayed to him the most. When Dad talks about arranged marriages, when I hear about territory wars, when I wonder if I'll ever have a choice in my own life... When I met you, you intrigued me every time we talked, so I prayed you would make a move."
Anton's hand covers mine, warm and steady. "Not so impossible after all."
"No," I whisper. "Though loving an assassin while being a mafia daughter definitely qualified as a lost cause."
He brings my wrist to his lips, kissing each charm in turn. "I'm grateful to them all," he murmurs against my skin. "Especially Saint Jude."
I curl my fingers into his. "For the first time, I think the saints were listening all along. The impossible has become possible. I found love in our dangerous world. I survived an attack meant to destroy me. I traveled through darkness and came out whole on the other side."
"I'm grateful they watched over you when I couldn't."
The tenderness in his gesture makes my chest ache. This man, who's killed without hesitation, treats and respects my childhood talisman with reverence.
"But now you're here," I say.
"Always," he promises. "Though I don't mind sharing the job with a few saints."
I lean into Anton's embrace, my fingertips brushing the nape of his neck. "You want to give me everything, but all I want is you. That's more than enough."
"I'm not going anywhere, Solnishko." His lips brush my temple, his breath warm against my skin. "Ever."
"Good thing I want you around." I pull back just enough to see his face. "Though it might be nice if we could have some normal moments, too."
His brow furrows slightly, and I see his gaze flick to Moira, then to the clock on the wall. "You should be resting. It's been hours."
"I should probably get back to my room anyway. Doctor's orders and all that."
Moira waves a hand at us. "Go. You two clearly have things to discuss that don't need an audience."
I catch the knowing look in her eyes. Anton helps me stand, his hand steady at my elbow.
"We'll check on you in the morning," Eden says, giving me a knowing look.
"Get some rest, Fee," Lorenzo adds, though there's amusement in his eyes.
The hallway is quiet as we make our way to my room, Anton's pace matching mine. Once we're out of earshot, I glance up at him.
"What if we have kids someday and they ask about our first date? 'Well, kids, we never actually had one. Instead, your dad killed five men in an alley while I ran toward him barefoot in a torn dress.'"
Anton's quiet laughter rumbles through his chest and says, "It's not an arranged marriage, so that's a plus."
"Right? I mean, I get that normal doesn't exactly exist in our world. But maybe we could create our own version of normal?"
He doesn't deny it, which makes me laugh.
We reach my room, and I bypass the bed entirely, sinking into the large cushioned chair by the window. It's more comfortable than it looks, and sitting here feels less like being a patient and more like just...being with Anton.
Anton crouches in front of me, bringing himself to almost my eye level. Even kneeling, I have to look up. His hands settle on the armrests on either side of me.
"I would love to have a family with you, Fee." His expression turns thoughtful, thumb tracing my cheekbone. "Though I've been thinking about making changes. Being less hands-on with operations, more focused on leading my side of the business."
"Really?" I search his face.
"I've eliminated threats for the Basovs for years. It's time to lead from a different position." His gray eyes hold mine. "One where I'm home most nights. Where I don't miss birthdays or school plays because I'm cleaning up someone else's mess in another country."
My heart swells, expanding against my ribs almost painfully. "You've thought about this."
