Page 120 of Stolen Seconds

I placed my hand on it, her heart thumping against my palm. “I’m okay now, Irina.” I searched her eyes, willing her to understand that as long as she was fine, I was too.

She leaned up abruptly, causing me to move back untilwe were sitting up. “None of this is okay. It’s my fault the manor was attacked that night.” Her blue eyes darkened with self-loathing, and I wanted nothing more than to snuff it out.

“You couldn’t have known.” I took her hand in mine, squeezing gently. “Besides, I’m not innocent here either.” I’d kept her to myself, knowing it would’ve ended badly.

“It doesn’t matter.” She scoffed, relentless in taking the blame. “I’m as guilty as my father by jeopardizing the lives of everyone I love in the first place.”

“Everyone is safe,” I said slowly. “Roman, Aurora, the baby. . . they’re perfect.”

A whimper escaped her as she pressed the heels of her palms to her forehead. “I should’ve never agreed to any of it. I was so blinded by my need for arealfamily that I didn’t think of the repercussions.”

No matter what I said, she wasn’t hearing me, battling her own demons from the guilt.

“Look at me.” I grabbed her wrists and pulled them away from her face. She looked so small and vulnerable; it sent a sharp pang to my chest. “You have me.I’myour family.” Our knees touched as I closed the space between us. “AndIlove you.”

Her tears framed her cheeks as she closed her eyes and when she opened them again, a watery smile split across her face. “Ilove you back.”

Her confession hung in the air, and I held my breath, afraid she’d take them back.

“I love you,” she repeated, every syllable shooting straight into my heart. “With all the broken and scarredparts of me, I do. You stopped the hollowness in my chest from consuming me.”

Wrapping my hand around her throat, I tilted her head back, holding her stare with an intensity that would burn me alive. “How can you be broken when you’ve made me whole?” I pressed my lips against hers, pouring everything I am into that one kiss.

Chapter 36

Irina

Luca was it for me. My person. And I loved him. Devastatingly.

I had hidden parts of myself to the world for far too long, but I wouldn’t hide what he meant to me. Not when I’d experienced the worst few weeks of my life without him, even if I was unconscious for all of it.

He had come to Russia for me despite not knowing what he’d find, choosing to believe that somehow, I’d survived the gunshot wound. Now it was time for me to show him how far I’d go for him.

Luca squeezed my hand as we walked down the corridor of my childhood home.

Everything appeared the same—as if no time had passed at all.

I glanced up at him, soaking in his beauty as butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I’d never get over him.

“You alright, sweetheart?” he asked, his caramel eyes full of warmth as he held my gaze.

I leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek. “I already am.”

It felt right to be with him, and I couldn’t believe I tried convincing myself otherwise. There was a lightness in my chest that had only ever been present when he was near.

I followed the sound of hushed voices until I’d reached the living area, my breath catching in my throat.

“Nico?” I couldn’t believe the view of my brother and our father in conversation.

What was he doing here?

He stood up, his mouth falling open as if I’d stunned him. “Irina.”

I’d crossed the room and almost lunged at him before stopping mid-way.

He saw my hesitancy and surprised me by catching a hold of my wrist, pulling me into his chest. He wrapped his arms around me tightly. “I’m so glad you’re alive.”

“Me too,” I whispered, clutching his shirt, my heart soaring.

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