Page 272 of Gilded Cage (Kovalyov Bratva 1)

I roll my eyes. “Come on! A stag that got away? But not before covering him in blood first? What did he do, wrestle with the damn thing?”

Cillian leans forward and puts his hand on mine. The gesture is unexpected but surprisingly, it doesn’t feel totally foreign.

“Esme, I know you’re going through a lot right now,” he says. “But Artem is, too. He’s just not so good with baring his soul, ya know? You’ve got to drag shit out of him. The way he used to cope with his anger and pain was to drink. And he’s obviously not doing that anymore. Which tells me one very important thing.”

“Which is what?” I ask.

“You are important to him,” Cillian concludes. “Maybe the most important thing.”

“I doubt I trump the Bratva,” I say bitterly.

“Oh, I wouldn’t be surprised if you did.”

I stare at Cillian’s face, at his too-blue eyes and I marvel at the fact that hardened men who have lived their lives in a constant state of power play can still exhibit so much empathy and kindness.

Something about that realization makes me want to ask a question that I probably shouldn’t be asking at all.

“Do you think I can trust him?”

Cillian smiles. “I trust Artem,” he says. “I trust him with my life. And I think you should, too. Especially because he loves you way more than he loves me. Though I’ll never cop to that in front of him.”

I smile just as we hear the sound of heavy footsteps on gravel.

I look up at the doorway and try to straighten out my expression into something neutral.

A second later, Artem walks through the door with his rifle hanging over one arm.

“Everything’s quiet out there,” he says. “We’re good.”

“Did you do a thorough job?” Cillian asks sternly.

“Fuck you,” Artem replies.

Cillian looks to me and gives me a wink. “See?” he whispers. “Dude loves the fuck out of me. Don’t get jealous.”

I suppress my laughter. “I’ll try not to be,” I say as I stand. “I’ll get you some linen so you can make up the couch. It’s not the prettiest one out there, but it’s really comfy.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not fussy,” Cillian replies.

Artem scoffs.

Cillian flips him off and the two trade barbs while I get the linen for Cillian.

Having him here has already improved Artem’s mood. I actually do feel a twinge of jealousy at that.

I feel immediately ashamed of myself and tamp it down under a smile.

“Goodnight, boys,” I say before heading into the bedroom.

I know they’ll want some time to talk in private.

But I’m lying in bed for only half an hour before Artem joins me in bed. He assumes I’m sleeping at first, so he pulls me against his body and kisses my neck softly.

“I’m awake,” I say gently.

“Did we keep you up?” he asks.

“No, I couldn’t hear you from in here,” I tell him. “Not that I was trying to.”

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