“Gabrielplease.”
“Insieme,” I breathe. “Together.”
I reach between us again, circling her clit, and she shatters. She cries out, wrapping her legs around me, pulling me in deeper until I lose control. I bury myself hard, my cock pulsing as I drain every last drop into her.
I lean down, kissing her slowly and deeply, on her lips, her cheek, her neck, all the way down to her nipples. We collapse together, both breathing hard, both trembling. I roll to the side and pin her against me.
For a long time, neither of us speaks.
Then she whispers one word.
“Stay.”
“Always.”
I pull the blanket over us, holding her until her breathing evens out, until she’s asleep in my arms. As I lie there in the dark, staring at the ceiling, I realize something terrifying.
I’m falling hard for her. Harder than I’d anticipated.
And if anything happens to her, if Kolya gets to her, if I fail to protect her—it will destroy me.
I hold her tighter and make a silent vow.
I will end Kolya Sokolov.
I will protect her.
Whatever it takes.
CHAPTER 22
THEA
Iblink and look around. I’m in the ballroom of a house that I don’t recognize.
It’s huge and ornate, with high ceilings, elaborate moldings, and heavy curtains that block out the sunlight. It reminds me of a palace.
I’m five years old.
I know this somehow in the way you just know things in dreams. I’m wearing a white dress with a light blue silk sash that I keep touching because I like the way the fabric feels between my fingers.
There are people around me, adults mostly. But a few kids are running here and there. I hear Russian. And music. Lovely string music.
Where am I? Is it a party?
Then I see her.
A woman across the room, laughing. She’s beautiful—blonde and curvy, her eyes the exact same shade of blue as mine. She turns, and for a moment our gazes lock.
Mama.
The word forms in my soul, a recognition deeper than a memory.
She smiles brightly at the sight of me, then crosses the room. Once she’s near, she crouches down to my level, cupping my face in her hands. She speaks in Russian.
You are loved. You are wanted. You are mine.
Then the room changes and the warmth drains away.
