“And now we fucking live,” he says.
I believe him.
Because this is the end of the war. And the beginning of our peace. A life I never imagined would be possible. A woman by my side whom I will love until I die.
I just fucking hope by some miracle, there is someone up there watching over Lev. Surely getting rid of the true evil on this planet just earned us some sort of good.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX
Lily
I didn’t realize I’d fallen asleep on the couch until I’m being prodded in the head by a small finger.
I blink awake, disoriented for half a second, my body heavy and warm in that deep way only exhaustion can make you feel. Then my eyes focus.
Little Isabella is sitting on the floor in front of me, legs crossed, staring up at me like she’s been waiting all night for me to wake.
Her big eyes are bright. Like she doesn’t understand yet that the world tried to take everything from us yesterday.
“Are you my Uncle Drago’s girlfriend?” she asks.
My throat tightens instantly.
I blink at her, and she’s smiling at me like it’s the most normal question in the world. Like she isn’t asking the thing that makes my heart ache.
I wipe at the corner of my eyes and sit up slowly, hair messy, sweater wrinkled, my body still sore in places I can’t name.
The little girl he saved. The one he loves like his own family. The one who makes even Drago’s darkness soften at the edges.
I smile back at her. “Yes,” I whisper. “I am.”
She pouts dramatically, like she’s weighing it up. “So you’re my auntie now?”
A laugh slips out of me, quiet and shaky and real. “I guess that does make me your auntie,” I say gently. “Is that okay?”
She nods once, like she’s decided it’s acceptable.
“Uncle Drago needed a girlfriend,” she says, deadly serious. “He needs to be happy sometimes. Not always grumpy.”
My chest loosens, the warmth of it spreading through me. I laugh properly this time. “I’ll make sure he’s really happy, Isabella,” I promise. “I swear.”
She narrows her eyes at me like she’s testing my sincerity. “You pinkie swear?” she asks, holding her little finger out like it’s a sacred contract.
I reach down and link my finger with hers. “I cross my heart.”
Her smile is instant. Bright and satisfied.
Then I glance up and find Hallie watching us, leaning against the doorway with little Liam tucked against her chest. Her eyes are soft, but there’s something protective there too—like she’s been hovering close all night, making sure I don’t slip under again.
“What time is it?” I ask, voice rough from sleep.
“Five a.m.,” she answers.
My eyebrows shoot up.
“Wow,” I whisper. “I slept for six hours?”
Hallie nods, her mouth turning into a small smile. “You were exhausted,” she says gently, then her tone shifts. Warming. Motherly. “We’ve made some breakfast. It’s nothing special, but get some food in you, please.”
