Page 119 of Stolen Seconds

Ivan removed his sunglasses, his blue eyes landing on me for a split second before they cast toward Nicolai.

Protectiveness rushed through me, and I stepped slightly in front of him, tilting my head in challenge.

I might’ve agreed to letting Nico come with me, but I wasn’t stupid enough to let my guard down, even if it was his father.

Ivan flicked his attention back to me, his mouth turning upward. “I shot you,” he said casually, as ifthatwas fucking normal.

“And what a poor aim it was, considering I’m still standing.” I patted my chest where the bullet had hit me. “I’m doing much better, by the way. Thanks for asking,” I remarked sarcastically.

“That explains your delay.”

I stood frozen, confused at his civilized manner. This was the same man who’d thought I shot his daughter.

My eyes narrowed at him. “You know why I’m here?”

“Alexei.” Ivan caught my stare. “Take him to Irina’s room.”

My world tilted and suddenly, that was all I could focus on. Silence stretched between us, but my ears were blaring with the need to know. To know it wasn’t all in my head and thatshewas alive.

My heart thumped against my ribcage, and I felt myself ignite with desperation. Maybe I was walking into a trap but I didn’t seem to care.

Everything blurred from then on, my warning to Ivan, my caution to Nico and the path toward where Irina grew up.

It felt as if I was spinning, tipping over through my consciousness up until the guard stopped by a white door.

Planting my palms against the door, I dropped my head between my shoulders and breathed in.

I needed to get a grip on myself.

I opened the door and slipped inside the room, the air thick with the same grief I’d been carrying for the past few weeks.

In the low-lit room, I could make out the shape of the only woman who had ever been capable of bringing me to my knees, winding me so tightly around her finger, I’d become a part of her.

She was alive.

My chest squeezed as I approached the bed where she slept, and it took everything in me to not break down right then and there.

I lifted the blanket and slid in behind her, careful not to wake her, but it was hard when I’d been deprived of my reason to live until now.

Wrapping my arm around her waist, I pulled her to me as I leaned into the crook of her neck, letting her amber scent embrace me.

A helpless tear escaped my eye as Irina’s body molded into mine. I could finally breathe again.

She was my home.

It wasn’t until I felt her tremble against me that I realized she was awake.

“Luca.” She choked on a sob and the broken way she said my name told me she wasn’t questioning my presence, but haunted by it.

“I’m here, sweetheart.” I turned her around and when my gaze caught hers, I knew without a doubt I was completely done for. “I’m here.”

“You’re really here,” she whispered as she reached up and traced my jaw with her fingers, sorrow lining the pout of her lips. “I’m sorry.” The hurt in her tone slid down my skin along with her palm, landing against my chest—where I’d been shot. “I’msosorry for everything.”

Seeing Irina distraught cut me open and for some reason, her apology didn’t sit well with me. She’d always been unapologetically herself and I loved that about her.

I reached for the buttons of her shirt, holding her gaze as I undid each one. She didn’t stop me as I parted the shirt, revealing her naked chest.

A long scar ran above her breast. The result of death nearly taking her away from me.

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