Yulia beams at Erik, her excitement bubbling over. “Thank you, Erik! This is the best birthday ever!”
I listen to Yulia’s laugh, a pure sound in a world that’s anything but.
But a nasty, gnawing thought edges into my mind.
Tonight.
Tonight, we end Aleks.
He’ll be a dead man walking, and we are cutting out a tumor, one that’s been poisoning us for far too long.
Sophia steps up beside me, and for a split second, I get distracted by her. The green dress she’s wearing clings to her just right, accentuating her figure. A soft emerald shade that compliments her eyes, making them pop. The dress is no-nonsense, clean-cut, with a subtle neckline and a skirt ending just above her knees. She looks stunning, but then she looks up at me, and her expression wipes away any other thoughts.
“Luka,” she mutters, voice almost a whisper. “I need to speak to you.”
Chapter 19
Sophia
Everyone’s already out of the room, heading to get ice cream. A brief moment of privacy.
“Breathe in, breathe out, it’s simple. Just keep telling yourself: We can handle this.” Luka’s arms wrap around me, drawing me close to his solid, reassuring chest. I can feel his heartbeat, steady and strong, as he leans down to kiss my forehead.
“Everything’s fine,” I say to myself, wanting to believe it. But the tremble in my voice gives away the fear I’m trying so hard to hide.
“We got this,krasotka,” he whispers, his breath warm against my skin. “Trust me.”
I want to believe him. I want to feel safe and protected. But I can’t shake the nagging doubt, the gnawing fear that something’s off.
“Why do you think she wants me to bring Yulia to the barn at eight?” I ask. “I’m scared, Luka,” I confess, looking up into his eyes. “Anya, or whatever her name is… She seemed…evil.”
I see a flicker of something in his eyes, a tightening of his jaw. But then he’s pulling me closer, his arms like steel bands around me, as if he could physically shield me from the world.
“Go to the barn as she asked,krasotka.”
“But- but…” I stutter, my eyes searching his for reassurance. Luka’s fingers gently cup my face, forcing me to focus on him.
“I have people watching over you and Yulia,” he says firmly, his gaze unyielding. “You won’t be alone.”
“We are putting Yulia in danger, too!”
He brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch lingering on my skin. “That’s why I’ve taken precautions. Every move, every corner, someone will have eyes on it.”
I can see the sincerity in his eyes, the determination. It’s evident that he has gone to great lengths to ensure our safety. But the weight of the situation, the responsibility, makes me hesitate.
“What if something goes wrong? What if—”
“Hey,” he interrupts gently, his thumb tracing the curve of my cheek. “Trust me.”
I nod slowly, drawing a shaky breath. “Okay, I trust you.”
Luka leans in, his forehead resting against mine. It’s crazy how much I understand him. Even in silence. I know…
I can trust him. Completely.
∞∞∞
The second Luka steps onto the cool, gleaming expanse of the main hall’s marble, a distinct hush falls. Eyes, previously busy in conversation, now fixate on him. My heart swells, pride bubbling up, and there’s this silent acknowledgment within me:he belongs to me.
