I stop myself before I can finish that sentence. Too much. Too soon. She's not ready to hear about how I want to breed her, want to fill her with my child until there's no question who she belongs to.
"Your what?" she prompts.
"My protection," I finish lamely.
She searches my face, and I know she doesn't believe me. But she doesn't push.
"I'm tired," she says instead. "I haven't slept properly in weeks."
"Then sleep." I release her and gesture toward the bedroom. "The bed is yours."
"Where will you sleep?"
"I don't sleep much."
"Renat—"
"I'll be right here if you need me." I guide her toward the bedroom door. "Go. Rest. Tomorrow will be difficult."
She hesitates at the threshold, looking back at me. "Will you really protect my family?"
"Yes."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because I keep my promises,milaya. Always."
She studies me for another long moment, then nods and disappears into the bedroom, closing the door softly behind her.
I stand there listening until I hear the rustle of sheets, the soft sigh as she settles into bed. Only then do I allow myself to move.
I pull out my phone and dial Viktor, my second-in-command.
"Status," I say when he answers.
"The feds are swarming her apartment building. They've got her place cordoned off as a crime scene." Viktor's voice is gruff. "Word is they're looking for you specifically."
"Let them look."
Silence on the other end. Then: "Renat, what the hell is going on? This was supposed to be a simple extraction. Now you've got feds crawling all over our territory, and you're refusing direct orders."
I move to the windows, staring out at the glittering Strip. "It's complicated."
"Uncomplicate it."
"I can't." The admission costs me. "She's... I can't explain it, Viktor. But I'm not giving her up. Not to Adrik, not to anyone."
"Jesus Christ." Viktor lets out a harsh breath. "You're in love with her."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Then what is it?" he demands, and I can hear the exasperation at the edge of his words.
I don't have an answer. Love is too simple, too clean a word for what I feel. This is possession. Obsession. A need so visceral it's rewriting my DNA.
"Just tell Adrik I'll be there tomorrow," I say. "With Ava. To discuss next steps as planned."
I hang up before Viktor can argue further.
