I touched his face before he could make the laugh too precious and break my nerve. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re already building a room around every sound I make.”
His thumb moved along my cheek. “Not a room.”
“No?”
“A life.”
I had no joke ready for that.
I should have dodged them. Made a joke. Asked for the water. Pulled the sheet over myself and found a safer subject, like murder or breakfast.
Instead I looked at him.
“Vadim.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know how to be your wife.”
“You learn with me.”
“I don’t know your world.”
“You learn what keeps you safe. I handle the rest.”
“That sounds like a very reasonable household policy.”
His mouth curved. “It has served me.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
I touched the mark near his jaw. “If I choose this, I’m not choosing a cage with better sheets.”
“No.”
“I need to see Petya again. I need him safe, but not hidden from me like a shameful thing.”
“Yes.”
“I need Gennady stopped.”
“He will be.”
“I need you not to turn into him because you think wanting me gives you permission.”
Vadim’s expression went hard, but not at me. “If I ever use your fear to quiet your will, you put a knife in me while I sleep.”
My eyes widened.
