Page 90 of Caught By the Bratva Boss

“They deserved death. They almost hurt Timothy. Men like those,” she trailed off. “They don’t deserve to live.”

“I agree.”

“I wish I were the one to do it.”

“No, you don’t.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, I found her lips with mine again. Because if she was going to let me kiss her, I was going to do it over and over again until she told me to stop.

“You’re not that person, Lilly. Leave the violence to me and be you, my sweet, loving Lily.”

Her eyes went wild. “I’d have hurt him if I had to.”

“I know. But now you don’t have to because I’ve taken care of it.”

“Ok.” She suddenly sounded tired again. One last kiss on her lips, and I stood. “Try and get some sleep. I’m going now.”

She shot up in bed like I had electrocuted her, her hair wild and her eyes darting around. “You’re leaving?”

“I’m just going to be downstairs.”

She heaved, her breath coming in short, sharp pants.

“Please don’t. Please don’t leave.” Panic made her voice high-pitched and breathless.

She was having a panic attack. Falling to my knees, I took her face in my hands and drew our faces together .

“I’ll stay,” I promised in a whisper. “I’ll stay right here next to you. I won’t leave. I won’t even close my eyes for a second. You can sleep, and I’ll keep watch.”

“You promise?”

“I promise, Lily.” I settled myself back into the chair. Her hand still in mine, I watched as she closed her eyes and gave in to the exhaustion.

If this was what it took for them to feel safe, I would spend the rest of my life at their bedside watching them sleep.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Lily

I didn’t know how long I had been home, because the days and nights just blurred together. I spent most of it sleeping, and when I wasn’t sleeping, I was being sick. My body had decided now was the time for morning sickness to kick in.

Not that it really mattered, Daniil wouldn’t let me do anything anyway. Anytime I tried to, he got this worried look in his eyes and fussed around me like a mother hen. It would have been endearing, but not going anywhere or doing anything gave me more time with my memories, and that was a dangerous place to go.

They haunted my dreams. I didn’t need them to haunt my waking hours as well. The only highlight of my day was having movie time with Timothy. He was officially the light of my life now. He was my little anchor to reality because if he could be strong, then so could I.

“Lil-ee.”

I turned my head towards him. He always said my name like that when he was trying to get my attention, and I was miles away in my head.

Twisting under the heavy blanket, I ruffled his hair and was rewarded by a bright smile. “What’s up, little man?” I asked, and his smile grew. It made him look like his father. It also made me wonder what our child would look like. Would he or she have Daniil’s dazzling smile? Maybe they would have my red hair.

I couldn’t wait to find out. Without meaning to, I caressed my stomach. There was just the smallest of bumps now. It wasn’t noticeable by anyone else, but I could feel it.

“I’m tired.”

“Ok. Shall I turn the movie off so we can go to sleep?” This wasn’t the first time he’d gotten sleepy early and asked to finish the movie another night. He chewed on his lip. “Would you be ok if I slept in my own room tonight?” His young but too-wise eyes swept over my face, almost like he was gauging my reaction.

“I don’t have to,” he added quickly. “I don’t want you to be afraid. I can sleep in here and protect you when Papa isn’t here.”

I stared at him with my mouth open, and it hit me all in a rush. I’d thought I was the one helping him get over what had happened to us. I wanted to protect him and make him feel safe, and here he was admitting he was just here because he wanted me to feel safe.