I’m hoping, stupidly, that he’ll meet me halfway. That he’ll give me something soft to hold onto.
He doesn’t. What I get instead is raw, unfiltered heartbreak. “I can never say no to you, Lily. So fine. Have it your way.”
The words should make me feel relieved. Instead, they feel like something is tearing straight through me.
I buckle into my seat and turn toward the window. Before we’ve even taken off, he’s got his laptop open, black-framed glasses on, already building walls between us.
And of course—because the universe hates me—he somehow looks even hotter.
No. This is done.
I just need to keep my mouth shut, keep my distance, and survive this blip. Then I can go back to my life before Drago.
The one I wasn’t happy in.
At least I’ll always have Monaco.
I focus on my breathing, just like how he showed me on the way out here, and a tear slips down my cheek.
I’m doing the right thing. I’m protecting myself by pushing him away. Even if it hurts.
CHAPTER FIFTY
Drago
When I reach for Lily’s bag in the trunk of my car, she does too. Our fingers brush, the contact electric and fleeting.
I don’t let go.
I sling the bag over my shoulder like it weighs nothing, even though my chest feels like it’s collapsing inward.
“Lily. I understand you don’t want anything more to do with me on a more personal level. But I’m still your bodyguard. That’s non fucking negotiable. So just let me do my job.”
She steps back, creating space between us. Her eyes stay fixed somewhere over my shoulder, anywhere but my face.
If she looks at me, I’ll lose control. I’ll beg. I’ll break.
I’m weak for her.
And she’s right. I’m not good enough. All I offer is danger and blood and a life that never slows down. She deserves safety. Light. A future that doesn’t come with a body count.
“Drago.”
“Yes.” I bite down hard, stopping the wordbabybefore it escapes.
“Are you angry?”
I shut my eyes for a beat, breathing through the ache clawing at my ribs. “I can never be upset with you, Lily. I’m not thrilled about this situation, no. But I respect you and your choices, and I’ll stand by that. I can’t force you to hear me out. To change your mind. Only you can do that.”
Her lips part like she wants to say something else. Then she shakes her head and gives me that tight, polite smile, the one she uses when she’s bleeding inside. “Thank you.”
I gesture toward the front door and grab my own bag, slamming the trunk harder than necessary. Lev already has the door open before she reaches the steps.
“Lily! How did it go?”
I stop short, giving them space. Lev looks settled. Lighter. Happier than I’ve seen him in nearly two decades.
He has his daughter back. That’s all he ever wanted. Maybe this is a good thing. Even though it feels like my heart is being ripped from my fucking chest. It might be for the best.
