She grasps at my back, gluing herself to me. “Everything is just…it’s so much right now, Dom.”
I nod in agreement as I stroke her hair, feeling the tension digging into every muscle of her body. “I know,dikaya koshka.”
I really do.
“I’m just glad you’re here with me,” she murmurs before tilting her head back to gaze up at me.
She’s glad, but she can’t completely relax because he’s not here.
Safe.
With her.
With us.
I brush her hair away from her beautiful, conflicted face. “I’m going to be with you no matter what. Always.”
Her face softens, and when my lips first touch hers, her eyes flutter shut. She melts into my hold, trusting me to hold her up. To steady her when everything feels like it’s slipping.
Viktor clears his throat as if to remind us that we’re not alone, breaking us apart.
“Why don’t you two try to get some rest? The three of us will cover the first shift out here.”
“Are you sure?” I ask him.
“Go. We’ve got this.”
With a nod, I take Alina’s hand and lead her to the main bedroom that has its own bath. After everything, it’s exactly what she needs to unwind.
“How about a soak in the tub?” I ask her as I shut and lock the door.
“That sounds…nice.”
I lead her to it, only letting her hand go to turn on the water. Once I make sure it’s warm enough but not too hot, I tell her, “I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
When I turn to leave, Alina grabs my arm. “Wait. Do you want to…will you join me?” she asks quietly. “You’re so tense. You deserve a little relaxation as much as I do.”
She wants me to bathe with her? God, yes.
“If you’re sure?” I reply.
In response, she takes hold of the bottom of my shirt and pulls it upward, stripping it off my body before dropping it onto the floor.
I remove the gun from her pants to place it on the sink counter and begin undressing her while capturing her lips.
I gently suck on her bottom lip, while lifting her shirt over her head. I’ve missed her so damn badly that it hurts. Getting to touch her like this alleviates so much of the weight on my shoulders.
When I start to undo her jeans my gaze lands on my necklace around her neck. Warmth ignites in my chest at the sight. But it’s not just mine she’s wearing again. She has a matching one. Gavriil’s.
“He gave you his ruby?” I ask aloud.
I reach up to touch them, and it’s like a spell suddenly breaks between us.
Alina steps back and turns her back to me to remove her pants.
I didn’t really have a positive association with my necklace until I first gave it to her as a sign of protection. Even if she also wears my brother’s, I’m happy to see them on her.
I finish undressing on my own, then round up towels, washcloths, and body wash for us. I climb in first to check the temperature. It’s a little warm, but I don’t think Alina will mind.
