In case anyone is watching.
But who am I kidding?
This isn’t about duty or loyalty to Alessandro.
This is about her.
Just her.
"Thank you," she says quietly. "For saving me. For being there every time I need you."
"Always," I promise, knowing I can’t keep it but wishing desperately that I could.
"I'm sorry about Carlo," she says as I open the door to our room.
The mention of her driver, his body left on the side of the road, does cause me guilt even though he signed up for this possibility just as I did.
Maybe I should have anticipated the ambush.
Should have been more vigilant.
"He was a good man," I say, letting her enter the room first. It’s tired-looking but looks and smells clean. An upgrade from the car.
"He had children." Her voice cracks. "A little boy and girl."
I look at her and see tears. "The family will take care of them," I assure her, though I know it’s not enough.
"I never wanted this," she admits, letting her sorrow out. "Anyone to die because of me."
I wish I could tell her it will be the last death. But in our world, that would be a lie.
Instead, I pull her to me, banding my arms around her, hoping to offer her comfort.
She leans into me, and we stand like that until I’m intoxicated by the feel of her body against mine.
I clear my throat and step back, putting necessary distance between us. “I need to find a phone somewhere else and call Alessandro.”
“You have to leave?” Her eyes widen with panic.
“I can’t call from here… just in case.” We have no backup. No resources except a few bullets and our wits. It’s just Valentina and me against whatever comes next.
“Please don’t leave me.” Her hand grips my arm so hard, I’m sure there’s a mark. “I don’t want to be alone. Not yet.”
“Your brother?—”
“He knows I’m with you and that you’ll protect me. He’ll know you need to lie low to keep me safe.”
“Your brother doesn’t think so highly of me anymore.”
She tilts her head. “Why not?”
Fuck. “The incident with Maksim.”
“But you were doing your job, just like you are now.” She looks at me in confusion.
I scratch my brow and sigh. “I might have confronted him on this marriage and how he’s throwing you under the bus.”
Both her brows shoot up. Her lips twitch upward, but she bites her lip as if she knows smiling isn’t the right response.
