Page 73 of Caught By the Bratva Boss

“It’s ok, Lily. I shouldn’t have rushed towards you like that. We can take it slow,” his voice cracked. “How are you feeling?”

That was the question, wasn’t it? How was I feeling? Silently, I took stock of my body. “Sore but better,” I admitted finally.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his lips twitch. “That’s good. The arm will heal as well as your ribs, but it’s going to take some time. I want you to take it easy until you feel better, ok? I’m going to need you to do this for me, ok? Let me look after you.”

I met his eyes finally, and I could tell he was serious. “You sent me away,” I whispered. “You told me you never wanted to see me again. But you came for me?” I didn’t actually know what I was asking, but it was a question anyway.

Daniil’s face grew troubled. “I was wrong. I won’t ever send you away again. You’re mine, Lily. You have always been mine, but now—”

“The baby,” I whispered, and my hand went to my stomach. “Is—”

“The baby is fine,” he answered softly. “We did a scan yesterday when you were asleep.”

I blinked at him in shock. “How long have I been sleeping?”

“Three days. You’ve woken up a few times. Don’t you remember?” h,e asked.

I shook my head. “No.”

“It’s understandable, Lily. You were pretty out of it. But you seem more lucid.”

“I don’t remember.” My voice broke, and my panic began to rise, my breath catching in my lungs so only a wheezing sound left my lips. Daniil was next to me instantly. His big hands cupped my face, but he didn’t draw me to him. “Look at me,” he ordered.

I did it with difficulty. Meeting anyone’s eyes was dangerous.

“You are safe. You are loved. And you are home.” His lips lowered over mine, and I yanked my head back. The look he gave me was full of hurt. I blinked at him in surprise. Had he just said loved?

“It’s just—” my voice broke. “I can’t explain it.”

How could I explain to him what had happened to me without admitting it to myself? I’d only survived this long by taking myself out of my body and pretending it had happened to someone else.

The bad things couldn’t touch me if I didn’t admit they had happened to me.

With a sigh, Daniil dropped his hands to his side. “It’s ok, Lily. You don’t need to talk about it unless you want to.” I didn’t want to talk about it with anyone, least of all him.

Another sigh, and I knew he had read the truth in my eyes. He stood slowly. “One day, hopefully, you will be able to tell me everything, but I won’t push you. I just want you to know that every single person who hurt you will pay for it.”

A lump formed in my throat. “Greg?”

Darkness filled his eyes. “Gone, but I will find him, and he will pay, Lilly. I promise you that. You should rest now.”

He was almost at the door when I called him back.

“Don’t underestimate him, Daniil. He’s dangerous.” I just hadn’t realized how dangerous he was until recently.

Slowly, Daniil turned. “I won’t ever underestimate him again. Just like I won’t ever take you for granted again.” A smile tugged at the edges of his full mouth. “Now rest. It’s been hard to keep Timothy away from you the last few days, and he will want to see you when he comes home from school. If you think you want to see him?”

My heart felt suddenly lighter at the sound of that little boy’s name. Bad things had happened to me. Lots and lots of bad things, but Timothy was a light in the darkness.

“I’d really like to see him,” I said softly and was rewarded by a bright, happy smile.

“Good.” Daniil nodded his head. “Now rest. I’ll check up in an hour.” He went to shut the door.

I bolted upright. “Please don’t,” I yelled raggedly, and he froze. “Please don’t shut the door. Please don’t lock me in.”

Daniil’s eyes grew soft. “I’ll leave the door open, Lily. You’re not trapped. You are safe now.”

A week went by, and then another, but instead of getting better, I felt worse and worse.