Page 91 of Defiled Innocence

My brother is gone. Forever.

But I’m not alone.

Not anymore.

I have Dmitri.

He pulls me to his chest, hugging me tightly to him as sobs that I’ve held back for months shake me. His chin rests on my head as he lets me ruin his shirt with my tears and what little makeup I managed to get on this morning before I ran out of the house.

I’d wanted to get out before I ran into him.

And now, all I want is to never leave his arms again.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so distant. That I blocked you out,” I mutter into his shirt.

“I know.” He places a warm kiss on my head. “I’m sorry I let you.”

And he did. He hasn’t forced a conversation or intimacy or anything. He gave me exactly what I said I wanted.

Space.

“But understand, I won’t ever again allow it. Your place, my place is by each other’s side, for all the bad and all the good. So never again will I leave you alone.”

I lean my head back to look up at him. “I don’t want you to. It’s been horrible, being so close to you but making myself be so far away.”

He wipes away my tears. “Never again.”

“No. Never again,” I promise.

I take another look at Lucas’ grave. “I miss him so much.”

“You will for a long time, maybe forever. But you have me to lean on. You don’t have to handle everything all by yourself.”

“I know.” I nod, but he takes my face between his hands, leveling me with a stern look.

“I mean it, Lia. No more taking on the world by yourself.” His accent thickens when he gets all dominating.

I love it.

“Don’t call me Lia,” I say in response.

His brow wrinkles.

“Everyone calls me Lia. You’re not everyone.”

His lips spread wide in a knowing grin.

“I love you, Amelia Dragunov.” His lips crush mine as he kisses me, possessing me with a simple phrase.

“I love you too,” I breathe as soon as he breaks the kiss.

“Good girl,” he says in that silky tone of his that makes my body melt for him. “Let’s go home.”

I nod as I wipe away another tear that falls.

“Yes. Let’s.” I take his hand and let him lead the way down the hill to the car.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, but I ignore it. Whatever it is, it can wait.

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