Page 90 of The Mafia's Quadruplets

My heart swells at her request. “Of course. Always.” I get on the other side, and she rolls into my arms.

“Thank you for finding me.”

“I’ll always come for you, Claire. Always.” She snuggles closer, and she’s clearly exhausted. “Sleep now. I’ll be right here.”

“Always,” she whispers, sounding half-asleep, and curls even closer. I hold onto her with everything I have, determined to never let her go again.

34

Claire

Ijolt awake, my heart pounding. Pain throbs through my body, but I push it aside. Panic grips me as memories flood back—Matvey, the prison, and my parents.

“Valerian!” I gasp, struggling to sit up. “My parents—we have to save them.”

Valerian’s arms tighten around me, steadying me. His voice is low and soothing as he speaks into a phone.

“It’s alright, Claire,” he says, covering the mouthpiece. “Your parents are safe. I promise.”

Relief washes over me, but doubt lingers. “How do you know? Matvey said?—”

“Matvey lied,” Valerian interrupts firmly. “We realized something was wrong when we saw signs of a struggle at Bloom House. I sent a team to rescue your parents while we came for you at the prison.”

I slump back against him, processing this information. “So, they’re really okay? You’re sure?”

He nods, his blue eyes intense. “Linda and Robert were safe even before we got to you. I made certain of it.”

Tears spring to my eyes, a mix of relief and lingering fear. I curl into his solid warmth, needing his strength. “I was so scared,” I whisper. “I thought... I thought I’d lost everyone.”

He sets aside the phone and gently cups my face. “You haven’t lost anyone, Claire. You’re safe now. Your family is safe.”

I nod, trying to believe it. The horrors of the past day—or has it been longer?—still cling to me like cobwebs. “Can I see them?” I ask. “My parents, I mean. I need to know they’re really okay.”

“Of course.” He reaches for the phone again. “I’ll have them brought here right away.”

As he makes the call, I take stock of my surroundings. We’re in Valerian’s penthouse, the familiar luxurious bedroom a stark contrast to the grimy cell I was in before. Sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, warming my skin.

I glance down at myself, realizing I’m wearing one of Valerian’s shirts. It swallows me, the soft fabric a comfort against my battered body. Bruises mottle my arms, and my ribs ache with each breath.

“Your parents are on their way,” Valerian says, setting the phone down again. “They should be here in about thirty minutes.”

I nod, grateful. “Thank you.”

Valerian’s expression softens. “You don’t need to thank me, Claire. I’d do anything to keep you safe.”

The intensity in his gaze makes my breath catch. There’s so much we need to talk about, but for now, I let myself sink into the comfort of his embrace. “I love you,” I murmur against his chest.

His arms tighten around me. “I love you too, Claire. More than I can express.”

We sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes, both lost in our own thoughts. Eventually, he speaks again. “How are you feeling?” he asks, his arm still wrapped protectively around me.

“Better,” I say, though my body still aches. The warmth of his embrace soothes some of the lingering pain.

He shifts slightly, his blue eyes searching mine. “Are you up for a question?”

I nod, bracing myself. “Go ahead.”

“Are you pregnant?” His voice is gentle, but I detect a hint of tension. “Matvey said you were having a baby, but how would he know?”

---