I push to my feet and walk over to Sylan, and I slip my hand into his, interlacing our fingers. Sylan turns and leads us out of my apartment, leaving Donovan to fend for himself. It won’t take long for the local thugs to find him and fate will have to handle that outcome.
Luka takes the front seat while we slip into the back. Sylan has me on his lap, and I’m right back where I was an hour ago—in his arms—and I have a feeling this won’t change anytime soon.
I lean into him and nuzzle my nose against his neck. “I’m so sorry, Sylan. I put everyone at risk over material things. I have my memories of my mother and that’s enough. I can’t live with the idea that something could happen to you or you, Luka.”
Luka turns in his seat and takes my hand. “My life is yours as is my brother’s. I give it to you willingly because you mean something to my brother. Because of that, you mean something to me.”
“And you mean the world to me. All of you do. I didn’t realize how deeply until the bullets started flying.”
I take Sylan’s hand in his and notice the bruising already forming. “I’ll never ask you for anything again that will put your family at risk.”
“We are your family now too.”
Who knew so few words could mean more to me than all the gold and money in the world?
“Thank you, Luka,” I whisper, awestruck, and his smile tells me he understands all too well what I am feeling and I know there’s a deeper story there, but I leave it alone. It’s not mine to find out.
I turn to Sylan, and he brushes his lips over mine. “I’m sorry. I mean what I say.”
“You can apologize thoroughly later. Once I get us home and check over every inch of your body to make sure you’re okay.”
I perk up and lean in to whisper, “Does that mean another shower? But this time I want that kind of shower.”
My words have the affect I’m going for and he pulls me closer with a growl, the exquisite hunger in his eyes all the answer I needed.