Page 50 of Sweet Deception

---

Gleb stared at me for a long moment.

Then, slowly, as if testing the weight of it, he murmured, “...Anna.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

He had never said my name before.

I nodded. “Good. Now say it again.”

“Anna.” He sighed. “Come here.”

I hesitated.

He arched a brow.

Finally, I crawled back into his arms. His body heat seeped into me, easing the cold in my bones.

“Can your illness pass to me? I need to know.”

I blinked. “What?”

He exhaled. “If I could take it from you, I would.”

Something warm and unfamiliar stirred in my chest.

I forced myself to keep my voice steady. “Why?”

“Because I’m stronger.”

I swallowed. “I’m strong too.”

“I know.”

A deep, rumbling hmm vibrated from his chest, and he didn’t move.

Neither did I.

I didn’t even realize I had fallen asleep until my eyes opened, I was still on his chest. His breathing was even, his grip on me loose, but when I shifted, his eyes cracked open instantly, sharp and alert. He hadn’t truly slept. He’d been waiting.

Nine hours had passed.

I sat up.

Gleb cracked his neck, stretching.

“Does it hurt?” I asked softly.

“Yeah. Not used to staying in one position for hours.”

A small, unexpected smile tugged at my lips.

As I got up to brush my teeth, he spoke. “There’s a new development.”

I turned. “...What?”

“My grandmother wants to see you.”

My stomach plummeted. His family.

---