Gavriil and I have survived too much for us to fight each other, especially over someone we both care about. I don’t want to tear Alina away from Gavriil to have her to myself.
That would only hurt both of them.
Alina deserves to be happy, whole, and free, and Gavriil is part of that. He’s a requirement, just as I am.
When I meet Gavriil’s gaze, I move my hand to his shoulder. Even the battle didn’t shake him like this. Emotions make him feel more vulnerable than deadly fights.
“You protected her, too. You sacrificed for her,” I tell him. He showed his care for her in unexpected ways, but I can see the intent behind his actions more clearly now.
It’s always been about protecting her. Strengthening her. Cherishing her.
“You’ve never believed that you deserved love, or anything good in your life,” I continue, seeing his expression shift a hint. My words weigh heavy, but he needs to hear them. “You deserve her,” I say. “And you deserve me standing beside you.”
Gavriil still looks unsure. From the beginning, all he’s known is punishment, pain, and distance. What we’re offering is something that he hasn’t ever experienced before.
Of course, it scares him.
“I’m alive because of you, Gavriil,” I tell him. “We’ve always been stronger together; don’t tear us apart now.”
The tension woven into every feature of his face and every muscle in his body finally lessens. He doesn’t speak, but I can see the gleam of relief in his eyes. He leans into our touches more.
A silent, intimate embrace built on the support that we provide each other, the protection we swear to each other, and the care that we gift each other.
Alina slides her hand up his arm and cups his cheek before lifting onto her toes, her lips brushing his in a kiss that feels like a vow.
Not possession. Not surrender.
Choice.
Three parts of a whole, finally choosing each other.
51
Alina
While the firstphase of cleanup begins at the estate, Dominik, Gavriil, and I stay in a safe house offered by Maximo.
It’s a quiet, secluded place outside the city, perfect for allowing both men to recover from their many wounds for the next few weeks.
I take care of them, tend to their injuries, bring them meals, but refuse to sleep in either of their beds or fool around. Yelena finally, thankfully, gave her approval this morning that both of my men could resume all physical activity again.
Fully healed now, Dominik’s hands roam all over me as soon as I join him in his bed for the first time.
“God, I’ve missed you, wildcat,” he says as his palms trace my sides, parting my thighs to make room for his body. He pushes my sleep shirt up over my breasts so his lips and tongue can tease one of my nipples.
My head tips back in ecstasy, warmth floating over my skin as I cradle his head to my body. “Don’t stop.”
When his hand dips into my sleep shorts, discovering my lack of panties underneath, his breath catches.
“So wet and ready for me,” he mutters.
“So ready,” I agree.
Dominik slides his hand further down the front of my shorts, his fingers exploring me.
I eagerly tear my shirt off, my back arching as he rubs my clit in slow circles. “Dom…”
“I know exactly what you need,dikaya koshka,” he whispers against my ribs as his lips move lower and he pulls my shorts down. “What I’ve wanted to do since the first night I met you.”
