Page 98 of Merciless Desires

"Will you be in danger?"

Viktor's mouth quirks. "I'm Bratva, little one. I'm always in some danger." At my frown, he smooths my hair back. "Don’t worry. Any remaining allies of Boris will fall in line or face the consequences. My position is secure."

I consider his words, my nerves sparking uneasily again. Viktor notices my tension and shifts us so we're face to face on the pillows.

"You're safe, Natalia. I swear to you, nothing will harm you as long as I draw breath." His gaze bores into mine intently and I nod, believing him.

"I’m more concerned about you," I say after a moment.

Confusion flickers over his rugged features. "Me?"

Propping myself up on one elbow, I trace the furrows in his brow softly. "Will you be happy? Ruling the Bratva?" You could walk away from this violent world, my eyes plead silently. If you wanted to.

Something vulnerable passes through his eyes at the question, there and gone in an instant. He looks away with a strained exhale.

"I am Bratva," he says simply, as though that explains everything. And I suppose it does. The brotherhood is his blood, his identity. The thought fills me with quiet sorrow.

Sensing my mood, Viktor draws me back down against his chest and kisses the top of my head. "Do not be troubled, Natalia. All will be well."

I cling to him, wishing I could shield this complicated, ruthless, harsh-yet-tender man from the cruel realities of his world. But the die has been cast, it seems.

We say nothing more as I drift off to sleep, lulled by his steady heartbeat beneath my ear. I've never felt so cherished. So adored. Viktor makes me feel precious, irreplaceable. Loved.

The unbidden thought startles me fully awake again. Love? Impossible. We barely know each other.

And yet...hasn't our forced proximity, our trauma, the fear and danger we’ve experienced accelerated that intimacy? We've seen the truest, rawest parts of one another. I've glimpsed the deeply buried nooks of his soul he shows no one else. Just as he's unearthed my darkest shame and secret longing.

What we've endured together in a short time surpasses the superficial bonds of most relationships. Still, love seems too dangerous a word to speak aloud.

Viktor's arms tighten around me, sensing my inner turmoil. I force my thoughts away from impossible dreams back to our current reality.

"What now?" I ask again softly.

Viktor exhales, his breath ruffling my hair. "Now, we begin our new life together." He tilts my chin up, his expression solemn. "If you wish it, Natalia, you may remain here with me. But you must do it of your own free will. With the threat against you eliminated, you can walk away. Your mother’s medical bills have been paid and your debt is clear. “

“Wait.” I sit up. “You paid off my debt?”

“I paid off your debt and deposited five hundred thousand dollars in your bank account. If you need more, it can be arranged.”

“Y-you what?” That’s a half a million dollars. “Why would you do that?”

“Because you are mine,” he says, as though no other explanation is needed. “You may leave freely and I will not stop you. The choice is yours."

My heartbeat quickens at the offer. But the thought of leaving Viktor's side brings only a hollow ache. I search his stoic face and see a glimmer of fear in his eyes that I might choose to walk away from him.

Slowly, I bring my hand to his cheek. "I’d rather stay with you."

The joy and relief that floods his expression steals my breath. His arms crush me close and his mouth claims mine in a searing kiss that brands my soul. I pour all my heart into it, twining myself around him.

When we finally break apart, panting, his eyes blaze with possessive intensity. "You are mine, Natalia," he rasps. "Now and forever. This I vow to you."

Emotion swells in my chest, too powerful for words. I simply nod, sealing my promise with another kiss.

Viktor

Moonlight casts a silvery glow over Natalia's bare skin as she dozes beside me. Propped on one elbow, I marvel that she's real. That fate saw fit to deliver this perfect creature into my brutal hands.

I may wash away the blood, but my hands will never be clean. Not after the lives I've taken, the pain I've inflicted in service to the Bratva.

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