Page 55 of Till Death Saves Me

When we finally break apart, we're both breathing heavily. I rest my forehead against hers, my eyes closed.

"I can't lose you," I murmur, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

But this time, I don't want to hold it back.

I need her to hear it all. Just in case.

26

GINNY

Icould sense something was off the moment Ivan walks through the door. He seemed panicked, and I wanted nothing more than to calm him. And when he pulled me into his arms, it was not with the usual warmth I've grown to love. This embrace felt desperate, almost painful in its intensity.

Now, with the way he's staring at me, his forehead pressed to mine and urgency written across his face, I have to ask. I have a really, really bad feeling right now.

"Ivan?" I whisper, my heart rate picking up. "What's wrong?"

He doesn't answer, just grabs my hand and practically drags me downstairs. My stomach twists as we enter his office. I've never seen him like this before.

"Ivan, you're scaring me," I say, my voice trembling slightly. "Please, talk to me."

Instead of responding, he marches straight to the far wall. My eyes widen as he presses a hidden panel, revealing a secret compartment I never knew existed. That can't be good.

"What's going on?" I demand, fear making my words sharp. "Why are you?—"

He cuts me off with a look, his blue eyes stormy with an emotion I can't quite place. Is it fear? Determination? Whatever it is, it makes my blood run cold.

As Ivan steps into the hidden space, I wrap my arms around myself, trying to quell the trembling that's taken over my body. My mind races with possibilities, each one worse than the last. Has something happened with the Bratva? Are we in danger?

The tension in the room is suffocating. I watch Ivan's every move, my breath caught in my throat. I'm not sure what he's doing or if he's going to answer me. I'm not even sure I want answers anymore with the way he's acting.

Ivan emerges from the hidden space, his face a mask of determination. Before I can ask any more questions, he's in front of me, his calloused hands cupping my face.

His lips crash into mine, urgent and desperate. The kiss steals my breath away, but it's tinged with something that makes my heart race for all the wrong reasons.

When he pulls back, his eyes lock onto mine. "Virginia," he says, his voice rough with emotion, "I would do anything for you. Anything. You know that, right?"

I nod. "I do. But what's-"

"I love you." I blink, staring at him, but his eyes are so earnest, so insistent. He sucks in a breath, looking up for a moment before meeting my gaze again. "I know I shouldn't. I know it makes things more complicated, and you never asked for it. But I love you so fucking much."

My heart soars at his words, the declaration I've been longing to hear. But the elation is short-lived as fear grips me anew. The intensity in his gaze, the tremor in his voice – something is terribly wrong.

"Ivan, what?—"

He doesn't let me finish. In one swift motion, he scoops me up into his arms. I yelp in surprise, my hands instinctivelygripping his shoulders. He strides purposefully towards the hidden space, and suddenly, I understand.

It's a safe room.

Panic floods my system as Ivan carries me inside. The space is small but well-equipped, with supplies lining the walls and a small cot in the corner. My eyes dart around wildly as he sets me down.

"No," I breathe, grabbing his arm as he turns to leave. "Ivan, don't you dare?—"

"I have to keep you safe," he cuts me off, his voice tight with barely controlled emotion. "I can't lose you."

I can see the conflict in his eyes, the pain etched into every line of his face. He's torn between staying with me and facing whatever threat looms outside. My heart pounds so hard I can barely hear my own voice as I plead with him.

"Please, don't leave me here. Tell me what's going on."

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