He nods, stroking his fingers along my cheek. “I hope so.”
“I’m going to bed. Night, Drago.” I say, going up on my tiptoes, pressing a kiss on his cheek.
His breath catches as I pull away. “Sweet dreams, lastochka.”
I take a step away. “I’ll see you in the morning, we could have breakfast?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “I’ll be gone before the sun rises.”
“Oh.” I look down at the ground.
“I’ll be back for you, Lily. I’ll always come back for you.”
“You'd better.” I blow him a kiss and head back to bed. This time feeling like I can actually sleep soundly. Like that happiness I found didn’t disappear. It’s still right here. Waiting for me to take it.
I need to stop running. Stop trying to protect myself from things that aren’t really trying to hurt me.
Stop letting the past rule my future.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Drago
I don’t sleep. I can’t. Not when all I can see is the disappointment on her face when I told her I’d be gone before she wakes up.
Dragging the paintbrush over the final corner of the canvas, I remind myself of the promise I made. I’ll make this right. And that means letting her see the truth of me.
Even the parts she might never forgive.
For now, I will start smaller. I give her another piece of myself.
I head down from my office and quietly open Lily’s door. I don’t step inside. I just stand there, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest as she sleeps, peaceful and unaware of the storm circling her life.
I place the artwork at the end of the bed. The letter goes beside it, and the final present is neatly in her wardrobe.
Then I leave the same way I came in. Silent. Invisible. Like I was never there.
Lev is waiting at the bottom of the stairs. I should feel guilty for breaking his trust in me to look after his daughter. I thought I would. I don’t. Not really.
I should talk to him, too. Fuck. Both of them deserve the truth, yet I can’t bring myself to do it.
Because her trust in me is far more important than anything else in the world.
Even my friendship with Lev.
“Early for you, Lev.”
He hands me a coffee. “You think I’m missing out on the fun?” he asks with a smirk.
“You’re lucky I’ve already got someone to watch Lily today,” I remind him.
His job is simple. Stay alive. Keep his daughter safe. Not chase danger with me like he’s still thirty.
As always, he ignores common sense. “I can’t be cooped up in here, Drago. I’m useful in the field, I haven’t lost it just yet.”
I scoff. “Fine. Just remember, here, you follow my orders, not the other way round.”
He salutes me, amusement flashing across his face. I shake my head despite myself.
