Page 71 of Ruthless Desire

Moving quietly, I approach her sleeping form. I should leave her be, let her rest. But I can't resist reaching out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Her eyes flutter open at my touch, confusion giving way to recognition. Then fear.

"Shh, solnyshko," I murmur, crouching beside her. "You're safe. I won't let anyone hurt you."

She stares at me, those stormy eyes searching my face.

"Why?" she whispers. "Why are you being so..."

"Kind?" I finish, a wry smile twisting my lips. "I told you, Natalie. You're mine. To protect, to cherish, to break if necessary. But never to truly harm."

"Come," I say, gentler than I intend. "Let's get you cleaned up."

In the bathroom, I'm efficient and clinical as I help her undress. But as the water hits her skin, washing away blood and tears, something shifts. Her quiet sobs echo off the tile, and before I can think, I'm stripping down and stepping in behind her.

"I've got you," I murmur, gathering her against my chest. "Nothing can hurt you here."

She stiffens for a moment before collapsing against me, her cries muffled against my skin. I hold her, stroking her hair, murmuring soft nothings in Italian.

This tenderness is new territory for both of us – fragile, dangerous.

I'm not sure how long we stand there, but eventually her sobs subside. I wash her with reverent hands, memorizing every curve, every scar. When I finally shut off the water and wrap her in a towel, she looks up at me with something like wonder in those stormy eyes.

"I don't understand," she whispers. "This... gentleness. It doesn't fit with everything else."

I cup her face, thumb tracing her cheekbone. "There's a lot you don't understand yet, solnyshko. But you will."

I lead her to the bedroom, settling her on the bed before rummaging through the safe house's meager supplies. I find a first aid kit and return to her side.

"This might sting," I warn, dabbing antiseptic on the rope burns. She hisses but doesn't pull away.

As I work, I can feel her eyes on me, searching. I meet her gaze, letting her see the hunger, the possessiveness, but also the concern. Her skin is still flushed from the hot shower, hair dripping onto her shoulders. The urge to lick the droplets from her collarbone nearly overwhelms me.

"Try to sleep," I say when I'm done, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "We leave for Italy tomorrow."

Her hand shoots out, gripping my wrist with surprising strength. "Stay. Please."

Something warm and unfamiliar blooms in my chest. "Always, moya koroleva."

I settle beside her on the narrow bed, pulling her against me. She fits perfectly in the curve of my body, like she was made for this. For us.

Sleep eludes me, but I don't mind. I watch Natalie's face in repose, memorizing every line, every freckle. She's exquisite, a study in contrasts – soft and hard, fragile and unbreakable. My perfect match in every way.

Morning comes too soon. We dress in silence, the air heavy with unspoken words. As we board the private jet, I can see the questions burning in Natalie's eyes. But she stays quiet, docile. It unnerves me more than her usual fire.

"Speak your mind," I say as we reach cruising altitude. "Your thoughts are practically screaming."

She starts, as if surprised I've noticed. "I just... I can't make sense of any of this. You, me, what happened at Shadowcrest. It's all so..."

"Overwhelming?" I finish, a wry smile twisting my lips. "Welcome to my world, solnyshko. Chaotic, dangerous, but never boring."

She shakes her head, tears welling in her eyes. "You're insane," she breathes, but there's no real conviction in her voice.

"Maybe," I concede, reaching out to cup her face. This time, she doesn't flinch away. "But my insanity, my obsession... it's the only thing keeping us alive right now. The only thing that will see us through this war."

Natalie's breath hitches, her pulse quickening beneath my palm. "War?"

I nod, my thumb tracing the curve of her cheekbone. "The Corsinis want you, moy voron. They think they can take you from me. I'm going to show them how wrong they are."

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