Page 144 of Vendetta Crown

Slowly, I see the resistance melt from Ruslan's face. His jaw relaxes, those piercing golden eyes softening as he stares at me. I know this look—he's surrendering to my logic, even if every protective instinct in his body is fighting against it.

"Fine," he says finally. "You'll come with me next week."

"Really?"

He nods once, resolute. "I'll adjust the promotion to include you as well. We'll face it together. Publicly."

I press my lips to his, pouring my gratitude into the kiss. When I pull back, I rest my forehead against his.

"Thank you," I whisper. "You're doing exactly what you promised that first night we met."

His eyebrows lift slightly. "Am I?"

"You are." I trace the lines of his furrowed brow. "You're empowering me to confront my past. You're accepting that I refuse to remain a damsel in distress."

A small, genuine smile tugs at his lips. "I guess I am."

"This is it, Ruslan. This is our chance to actually finish this." I take his large hand and press it more firmly against my growing belly. "For them."

He closes his eyes briefly, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallows hard. When he opens them again, I see raw vulnerability there that few others have ever witnessed.

"I'm still afraid," he admits, his voice rough. "Of losing you. Of losing this family we're building. Seven years you ran from one monster. Now I'm asking you to face two."

"You won't lose me," I say with more confidence than I feel, but conviction I desperately need him to believe. "We're stronger together than we are apart. That's always been true."

I lean forward and kiss him again, deeper this time, trying to seal my promise with more than just words.

"Make love to me again," I whisper, my lips brushing against his ear as I press myself closer. "Every night until we have to face them."

My fingers trail along the strong line of his jaw. "I want to live in this moment with you for as long as we can. This temporary shelter before the inevitable storm."

Ruslan's gaze darkens with understanding. We both know what awaits us. The dangerous game we've committed to playing. With Semyon and Kristofer as our deadly opponents.

"I need this," I admit, vulnerability coating my words. "I need you."

He doesn't answer immediately, just stares at me with an intensity that makes my heart flutter with need.

My fingers trace the tattoo of the broken-winged bird on his hand. This mark of loss. This promise that he would never let another love slip through his fingers.

"Please, Ruslan," I whisper.

His answer comes in the form of his mouth capturing mine, his kiss deep and thorough. It speaks of possession and promises. Of protection in the midst of chaos.

His hands move down my body, trailing fire across my skin, until they find the place between my legs still sensitive from our earlier lovemaking.

I gasp against his mouth as his fingers part me, finding me already wet and wanting.

"Every night,zarechka," he murmurs against my lips. "I'll give you every night until then."

My back arches as he slips one thick finger inside me, and then another.

"Yes," I breathe, hands clutching at his broad shoulders. "Make me feel something. Remind me that we're still alive."

37

RUSLAN

ONE WEEK LATER

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