We can’t escape, but she trusts me to carry her forward, to keep her safe. She trusts me to protect our child. She trusts me to carve a path even if there isn’t one on the map.
One more lazy kiss sends me into the shadows. Sleep brims around the edge of my awareness, my muscles relaxing with each new breath.
Together, we can create an oasis, a spring that can easily sate us and our child. Running won’t do any good.
We will build our own paradise out of what we have here.
And if it has to be on the bodies of our enemies, I think as I fall asleep.
Then so be it.
Chapter Ten
Liya
A contented soreness lingers in my muscles as I slip into the living room for tea. I’m wearing the knit cardigan I’ve had since I got here and a pair of lounge pants with a tank top. It’s the most casual I’ve been in a while and it feels good—it feels like I’m relaxing in my home.
Finally.
Blush splashes my cheeks as I settle into the couch.I hope Zoya didn’t hear us last night. My features sharpen with a fierceness I’ve never felt in my life. But I allow it to take shape, to grant me an intimidating look.Eighty-six that. I hope she heard everything.
Before I can lift my teacup to my lips, the doorbell rings. I settle the teacup on the saucer and turn as Viktoria opens the door.
Willow stands there. She lifts her chin, regards Viktoria with a curt nod, and then walks inside. She stands near the end of the couch and shuffles from one foot to the other. I’m surprised to see her here.
Even more surprised to see her standing so close to me.
I stand and gesture to the couch. “Sit. I’ll pour you a cup.”
“Thanks.”
Once she’s comfortable on the cushions, she rests her hands on her knees and stiffly glances around. It’s weird seeing her here when I know she wants nothing to do with me right now.
Still, I pour her tea. I drop a few sugar cubes into the liquid. I hand her the cup. I sit next to her. I’m all stiff movements and no chill.
Can anyone blame me?
“So, the NYPD hasn’t been making much headway on the whole Zoya thing,” she says while cradling her teacup. “Their news report said they didn’t have any leads.”
I sip my tea and hum. “That’s good.”
And the search warrant hasn’t cropped up, I add mentally.Which hopefully never happens. That’ll be one less thing for Pavel to worry about.
Silence settles between us for a moment. I lean into it, absorbing her simple presence, her sweet perfume, and the way she sighs contentedly after sipping her tea. It’s almost normal for a second.
Until she jumps because of a noise down the hallway. Russian expletives explode from one of the rooms. It sounds like Viktoria.
I chuckle and say, “Viktoria probably dropped something.”
“The housekeeper, right?” When I nod, Willow says, “She seems rather—”
“Kind?”
Willow snorts. “If a sharp bed of nails is kind, sure.”
“She’s rough around the edges, but she’s my biggest supporter here.”
Her gaze softens as she nods. “That’s good.”