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“How different?”

“Will you still kill people?”

I take a few seconds to think about her question before I answer, “I don’t kill because I want to. I find no pleasure in it. But as long as the Bratva comes after me, I won’t hesitate to protect me and mine.”

She tilts her head back to look at me. “I hope they stop.”

I press another kiss to her hair, then say, “Grab the blanket and get some sleep, my light.”

She does as she’s told and covers herself before lying down on the seat and resting her head on my thigh. She removes her glasses and presses her face into my abdomen.

Resting my arm on her shoulder, I wrap my fingers around the back of her neck.

Minutes pass, then she whispers, “I’m so confused.”

My voice is a low murmur in the dark. “About?”

“The world you’re from is terrifying and brutal. It’s probably going to get me killed. I should try to escape and get myself the best therapist.” I listen to her breathing for close to a minute before she admits, “I still can’t stop . . . caring about you. The attraction just keeps growing, and it makes me feel guilty. It feels like I’m sacrificing my values every second I willingly stay with you.”

I brush my thumb over her soft skin. “I forced you to come with me, Annie. I’ve threatened to kill whoever you ask for help. I haven’t given you the opportunity to escape.” I rub my hand up and down her back before wrapping my fingers around her neck again. “You have nothing to feel guilty about.”

Silence fills the cab for a while, then she says, “Okay, but what about the emotions? Who in their right mind falls for an assassin who’s on the run from the law and the Russians? I’ll have to give up everything and live in constant fear that you could be captured or killed at any time. That’s no life at all.”

I have nothing to say to that. Annie is right, she’ll have to give up everything she’s ever loved and knows, whereas I’m gaining something extraordinarily beautiful.

I haven’t feared anything until her.

It’s not that I might lose her. I won’t let that happen.

I fear that she will never be able to get past me killing people.

Unless she finds a way to accept all of me, her conscience will eat away at her until it either changes her or makes her hate me.

Chapter 20

Annie

By the time I walk into the motel room, I feel like I haven’t showered in a week.

I set the paper bag down, and digging out the last pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt, I ask, “When can we do laundry?”

Instead of answering me, Rowan comes to stand in front of me and frames my face with his hands. He stares into my eyes as if he’s searching for something.

When the current between us spikes and my heart kicks up a beat, I whisper, “What?”

“I’m going to trust you, Annie.”

Understanding that this is a very important moment for Rowan, I patiently wait for him to continue.

“While you shower, I’ll run out to get us more supplies. I trust that you’ll be here when I return.”

My pulse races faster, and I instantly feel torn.

Do I stay, or take the chance and make a run for it?

He leans down and presses his mouth softly to mine. It feels like a plea.

The next instant, he pulls away from me and walks out of the room.