Keeping his steady eyes fixed on me, he takes the towel and starts drying my hair, squeezing water from the ends, gently fluffing moisture from the strands, rivulets of water running down my back. His white shirt clings to his chest, every roped muscle showing through the wet fabric, puddles of water gathering around his feet.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, and he stills.
“Don’t.”
“I really am.”
“I don’t know what my brother’s done, but I already know you have nothing to be sorry about.”
“I should be stronger than this, but I’m not.”
“Leandra,” he tips my chin up so I look him in the eye, “keep quiet and let me take care of you.”
I purse my lips tightly, suppressing a fresh waterfall of tears. He knows how much I need this—how much I need to let go of the strength I’ve been grasping on to so I can keep myself from falling. I want to let go. And right now…he’s here to catch me.
He moves to stand behind me, and I close my eyes as he eases the towel down my back. I shiver as the cold starts to slither across my skin, and Isaia places the soft towel over my shoulders. I take it between my fingers, pulling it tighter around me.
“You trust me, right?”
I glance halfway over my shoulder, nodding as I suck my bottom lip into my mouth.
He crouches and reaches beneath the towel, his touch calm and light, fingers brushing against my waist. Slowly, he slips my pants down and steadies me as I step out of them, water dripping from the fabric. Nothing about this makes me feel uncomfortable. All I feel is comfort. There’s a sense of solace with him here, and for a moment I don’t want him to ever leave. Somehow, the pain seems…less now that he’s here.
I hang my head down as he straightens behind me, and I clasp the towel tighter in front of my chest. I’m sure I have my tears and emotions under control…until he wraps his arms around my waist, hugging me against him so tight, his kindness overwhelms me.
The walls break, and I sink into him, letting go of all the strength I’ve tried to hold on to, and I fall. I’m breaking while Isaia holds on to all the pieces. It’s liberating and freeing to let go, knowing someone is keeping me from hitting the ground. I’m not alone, and the relief is almost too much.
“You’re always there,” I say through tears, remembering how he walked me down the aisle. “You’re always there when I’m alone.”
“I care for you, and I always will.” His arms tighten around me, and he rests his forehead against the top of mine. “I’ll always be there for you, Leandra. No matter what.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, appreciating what he means to me more than words could express.
Abruptly, he sweeps me into his arms and carries me into the bedroom, placing me on the bed. I roll over on my side, clutching a pillow, and I swear I can smell Alexius on the silk—a fusion of wild spice cologne and sex. He’s everywhere—on my sheets, my skin, my heart…inside me. Alexius is inside me. His babies are growing inside me. Twins.
Does Isaia know? He hasn’t been around at all lately. I don’t know what Alexius has told him.
The bed dips beside me, and Isaia gathers me in his arms, pulling me up so he can cradle me against his chest as he leans against the headboard. His being here soothes the storm raging inside me for too long, leaving me exhausted, so I close my eyes as calm sweeps over me.
“Sleep, baby girl,” he whispers, placing a chaste kiss on my head. “I’m not going anywhere.”
For the first time in so long…I sleep.
ChapterTen
LEANDRA
“Motherfucker!”
I’m jerked awake with Isaia getting hauled off the bed, Alexius cursing and swearing, yanking Isaia around. I sit up in time to see him launch Isaia across the floor, headfirst into the wall.
“Alexius!” I scramble to my feet, but I can’t get near him as he grabs Isaia by the throat, his knuckles turning white as he squeezes, Isaia gasping for breath. “Alexius, stop!”
Maximo rushes in, and Alexius shoots him a deadly glare. “You, get the fuck out, now. This is between my brother and me.”
A second passes before Maximo does the one thing he does so fucking well. Obey Alexius’ every demand.
He leaves the room and closes the bedroom door behind him, my heart about to break out of my chest.