Page 39 of Veil of Shadows

I take a deep breath, the frustration boiling beneath the surface. “No, from the people who want to hurt you. This isn’t just about us anymore.” She stops pacing, looking directly into my eyes. “Then tell me the truth. What’s really going on, Viktor?”

I hesitate, torn between my desire to protect her and the need to share the truth. “The Bratva suspects you’re getting too close to something. They won’t hesitate to eliminate any loose ends.”

Her expression softens, but her voice remains firm. “And you think hiding me away will stop them?”

“It’s a start,” I reply, my voice dropping. “But we need to be smart about this. We can’t let them know you’re alive.”

The weight of her gaze is heavy, and for a moment, I see the cracks in her resolve. “I just want to understand,” she whispers.

I take a step closer, my heart racing. “I want to protect you, Alyssa. But I can’t do that if you don’t trust me.”

She opens her mouth to respond, but before she can, I see the way her defenses begin to falter. It’s an opportunity I can’t ignore. I reach out, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering against her skin.

“Please,” I murmur, my voice low and earnest. “Just let me explain.”

The moment hangs between us, charged with unspoken tension. The space feels suddenly smaller, the air thick with the weight of our emotions.

“I can’t just sit here and do nothing,” she says finally, breaking the spell.

“It’s not doing nothing if it keeps you alive,” I insist, my patience fraying. “You need to understand that this is bigger than both of us.”

“But I’m not some pawn in your game, Viktor,” she counters, her voice rising. “I won’t be manipulated.”

“No one is trying to manipulate you!” I reply, the frustration spilling over. “I’m trying to keep you safe, and it’s not just the Bratva you have to worry about.”

Her expression shifts, anger giving way to concern. “What do you mean?”

“Anyone who knows you’re digging into things they want buried. The Bratva may be my world, but there are others out there who don’t care about loyalty,” I warn, my tone grave.

Alyssa’s expression hardens as she processes my words. “So what’s the plan, Viktor? You just expect me to hide away while you deal with your mess?”

I step closer, lowering my voice. “This isn’t about me. It’s about you. I can’t lose you to this.”

For a moment, the intensity of our gazes locks us in place. I see the anger in her eyes but also the glimmer of fear. The fear of what’s to come, and I can’t help but reach out, pulling her into my arms.

Her body stiffens for a moment before she relaxes against me, surrendering to the warmth of my embrace. “I don’t like this,” she murmurs against my chest, her voice muffled.

“I know,” I say, holding her tighter. “But I promise, I’ll do everything I can to protect you.”

The intimacy of the moment washes over us, and I can feel the tension between us shift. The close quarters of the safe house, the danger lurking outside, it all converges into something raw and real.

Alyssa pulls back slightly, her gaze searching mine. “And what about the Bratva?”

I can see the uncertainty in her eyes, the realization that our connection complicates everything. “They’ll see what I choose to show them,” I reply, my voice steady. “But I need you to trust me.”

Her breath hitches, and I can feel the warmth radiating between us, a palpable energy that ignites something deep within. “Viktor...”

Before she can finish, I lean in, closing the distance between us. Our lips meet in a rush of heat and urgency, a kiss that conveys all the unspoken words we’ve held back.

It’s intense, filled with the fear and longing we’ve both tried to suppress. My hands find her waist, pulling her closer as I deepen the kiss, our connection igniting like wildfire.

As we break apart, breathless, I search her eyes for any hint of hesitation. “We’re in this together, Alyssa.”

“Together,” she echoes, a quiet determination in her voice.

The tension in the air shifts again, and I know we’re crossing a line, but I can’t pull back. Not now. Not when I’ve finally allowed myself to feel something real.

I reach for her hand, intertwining our fingers. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

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