Page 111 of The Hermit

She lets out a silent burst of laughter. “I’m all over the world. Wherever Dominik needs me to be.”

“I love that you have each other,” I sign. “He told me about your time in the orphanage.”

Evinka glances at him with love in her eyes. “He was always covered in bruises from fighting to either get me food or keep a fucker away from me. Without Dominik, I wouldn’t be sitting here.”

Jesus. My heart.

Unable to stop myself, I pull Evinka into a hug and whisper, “I’m so sorry about everything that happened to you.”

When I let go of her, she shrugs. “That life made us who we are today.”

With a tender smile on my face, I sign, “Two people who I love dearly.”

Her mouth curves into a smile. “Two people who will kill anyone who threatens you.”

I feel so much closer to Evinka now that I’m able to communicate with her on a deeper level.

“I’m going to go sit with Dominik,” I say before unclipping my seat belt.

She nods, pulling out her cell phone while I get up.

When I cross the cabin to where Dominik is, the plane suddenly shakes as it hits a pocket of turbulence.

“Oh God.” I lose my balance and stagger to the side, then the aircraft shakes even harder, and for a second, my feet leave the floor.

I’m grabbed against Dominik’s solid chest, and a moment later, my butt is on a seat, and I’m being strapped in.

“My fucking heart!” Dominik snaps, his face pale with fright. He brings his hands to my cheeks, his eyes darting all over me. “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?”

I sit stunned for a moment before managing to nod. “I’m fine.”

He slumps down beside me, and it’s only then I see Evinka return to her own seat.

“Christ,” he mutters while sucking in deep breaths of air, then he barks, “Never leave your seat while flying.”

“What if I need to pee?”

“Then I’ll take you to the restroom.” He grabs my hand, and leaning across the armrests, he places his other hand on the side of my neck. His eyes dart over my face again. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes.” I give him a reassuring smile.

He lowers his hand to my stomach and rests his forehead against mine.

“I’m okay, my hermit,” I murmur with love coating my voice. “Relax.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to relax until you give birth,” he mutters.

I let out a chuckle and lean closer to him. “Does this mean you’re going to be extra protective over me?”

“Definitely.”

DOMINIK

When we near the island, I get a view of the tunnel that’s under construction.

“They’re going to have to work faster. I want the island ready for when Grace gives birth,” I tell Evinka.

“I’ve already told them to employ more teams so they can work twenty-four-seven,” she signs.

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