Harper looked up, tears blurring her eyes, disbelief written all over her face.
"I mean it," I pressed on, voice rough but steady. "I fell for you ages ago. I was just too fucking stupid to see it."
"Kirill—" she choked out.
"I know I don't deserve it," I interrupted. "I know I've been a bastard. I know I've hurt you, over and over. But if you'll— if you'll give me one more shot— I swear, I'll spend the rest of my life making it right. I'll be the man you deserve. I'll—"
My voice cracked. Damn, I sucked at this. Spilling my guts felt like standing naked in front of her, every inch exposed and raw.
Harper
I stared at him, at this man clutching my hand with his injured one, those eyes locked on mine, filled with a vulnerability and longing I'd never seen.
Kirill Orlov. The cold, ruthless mafia boss. The killer who didn't blink. The man I'd loved and hated for sodamn long.
He said he loved me.
My heart pounded like it wanted to burst free. Tears blurred everything, turning his face into a hazy outline, just that hand reaching out.
I wanted to speak, to tell him I loved him too, that I'd loved him forever. But my throat clogged, and nothing came out.
He'd shielded me and the baby with his own body.
"Harper," he murmured, thumb stroking my hand. "I know I don't get to ask for forgiveness. I know I've done unforgivable shit. But—" He paused, voice rougher. "Will you give me another chance?"
I looked at him, at the plea and hope in his eyes. This man—who never bowed to anyone—was begging me.
Tears poured out, unstoppable.
I loved him. God, I loved him.
I hated myself for it, for being so weak, for not letting go. But I just loved him.
I'd thought I'd never have him. That his heart was Genevie's forever. That I'd rot in this one-sided hell.
But now he said he loved me.
Could I trust him? Forgive him? Did we even have a future?
But looking into those eyes, once cold as ice, now warm with want, I knew.
I stayed silent for a long time. Long enough for hope to fade from Kirill's face, for Olga to shift uncomfortably.
Then I nodded.
"I love you too," I choked out. "For so damn long. From when I thought I'd never have you. From when I hated you to my core. I still loved you."
I laughed, that bitter, teary laugh.
"I hate how much I love you. I hate being this weak. But I just— I can't stop."
Kirill's eyes lit up like flames in the dark. He pulled me in hard, baby and all, into his chest. His left arm hung useless from the wound, but his right wrapped tight, like he wanted to melt me into him.
"I swear," he whispered in my ear, voice shaking. "I'll be the man you deserve. I'll protect you and the kid with my life. I swear—"
"Shh." I cut him off, burying my face in his neck. "Stop. I believe you."
Saying it, something inside me uncoiled, finally loose.
