I can’t help but be greedy when it comes to both of them because my feelings seem to defy limits. Common sense. Expectations.
When Gavriil pulls away from me, cutting our kiss way too short, he brushes his fingertips along my cheek like I’m made of porcelain, his eyes lingering on my lips.
“You’ll be safe,” he whispers to me before sliding his thumb along my bottom lip, coaxing my lips to lightly part. “Dominik won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I’m worried about you,” I admit as I wrap my fingers around his wrist, not wanting him to draw back and send me away just yet.
There’s a ripple in his sturdy expression. I wish he would just show at least a hint of emotion on his face.
“You shouldn’t be worried about anything. I’m not,” he replies instantly. A reflex.
“Gavriil,” I say, my voice bordering on a whisper. Of course he must be scared of what happens next.
There’s another shift in his expression, like a brief ripple of pain crossing his face.
“You should go, Alina.”
Go with Dominik he means.
I reach up to take both sides of his face between my palms, making him tense up at the sudden touch. He’s not used to me reaching out first. “I want to be here with you right now. Just you.”
Gavriil stares into my eyes, and I can see his stony façade cracking in real time. I wish he would stop hiding from me.
I wish he would stop pushing people away or making them hate him so that there’s no chance of him getting attached. Doesn’t that exhaust him? Doesn’t that kill him on the inside?
“Please don’t be reckless,” I tell him, a plea breaking into my voice. “And stop trying to do everything on your own.”
He holds my gaze for a few quiet seconds before taking my hands and pulling them away from his face. Slowly. Hesitantly.
Like he has to force himself.
Gavriil releases my hands and takes a step back from me. “Behave and do as you’re told. That’ll ensure your safety and Dominik’s.”
It’s all about control for him.
Behave. Sit down. Speak. Eat. Drink.
Oddly enough, I’ll miss his commands.
“What about your safety?” I question him.
“That’s none of your concern.”
I let out a scoff, making him lift an eyebrow.
“You don’t think you’re worth my concern,” I mutter.
“How could I be? I killed your brother,” he says, as if he’s trying to convince me to go back to hating him.
It would be easier if I did, but it doesn’t work.
I’ve seen the vulnerable, selfless man underneath the cold exterior of thePakhan. He’s never apologized for killing Archer, either because he doesn’t regret it, or because he doesn’t think I’ll ever forgive him.
Maybe I won’t.
But at least now I know that Gavriil would do anything for Dominik, even kill my brother for nearly costing Dom his life at that biker shootout. He took me from Dom so I couldn’t hurt him like his awful ex after he foolishly took a bullet for me, a traitor’s sister he just met.
Gavriil cares and loves like everyone else; he just does it in a fucked-up way.
