Page 124 of Crave

CHAPTER 60

ALEXEI

Song- The Fray, I’ll Look After You.

I can’t watchher pick at her dinner any longer. I hate seeing her like this, I wish I could understand what’s going on inside that pretty head of hers.

To me she’s perfect. She’s smart, she’s brave, she is my entire life and soul. I can’t comprehend why she looks at herself and hates the woman that stares back at her in the mirror.

When I look at her, all I see is my future.

I’m doing everything I can. I read through every damn bit of information Sofia shoved at me. The one word that keeps sticking out is control.

And it makes sense when I look back over the years.

Something bad happens, she runs. That’s why I bought the cabin.

I scratch my head then she looks up at me, returning a sad smile.

That hurts worse than my dick piercing.

I need to be comfortable that she is okay before I go on this job. And I am running out of ideas.

“Alexei, stop analyzing me.”

“Never.”

My life is always out of control, it’s how I thrive. It’s who I am. The only time I have my shit together in my head is when I’m on my motorcycle.

My bike.

Control.

Freedom.

Standing up so fast I knock over my chair, I hold my hand out to her. Her blue eyes flick between my face and hand.

“What just happened in your brain that I missed the memo on.”

I bite down on my lip and that earns me a real smile from her.

“Do you trust me?” I ask.

She places her dainty hand in mine and stands. That fuzzy feeling in my chest is almost making me dizzy.

She has always had this effect on me, and now I know why. Because I love her so damn much I have to do everything in my power to help her.

Because I can’t, and I won’t, live without her.

“That is never a question you have to ask, Alexei. I trust you, for eternity.”

I swallow the lump in my throat.

I know she means it, I know my Lara doesn’t mean to hurt herself the way she does.

But she could die if she carries on this way.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

---