"It was." The words come out flat. "I knew Patrick was moving against me. Knew he was dangerous. Should have increased security, moved them somewhere safe, donesomething. But I was arrogant. Thought my reputation was enough to protect them."
"You can't blame yourself for Patrick's choices."
"Can't I?" I tilt her face up. "I made enemies. I did not build this empire by being nice. I brought that danger into their lives. And they paid the price for my ambitions."
She's quiet for a moment. Then: "Mila is still alive. You saved her. Gave her five years of protection, safety, and love, even when you didn't know how. That counts."
"Does it? Or am I just delaying the inevitable? Patrick's still out there. Still coming. What happens when he tries again and I'm not fast enough, not prepared enough—"
"Then I'll be there." She says it with absolute certainty. "Between him and Mila. Whatever it takes."
I want to believe her. My heart is desperate to believe her, but my mistrust is itching with the fact that Patrick is still out there and that Valerie may yet sell me out.
"If you lie to me again—" I start.
"I won't."
"—I'll kill you." I finish anyway. "I need you to understand that. One more betrayal, one more secret, and I won't be able to stop myself. Trust can only be rebuilt once."
"I know." No hesitation. "No more secrets. No more lies. I'm all in, Lev. With you. With Mila. With this life. Whatever it takes."
I kiss her then. Not with anger or desperation. Just... searching. Looking for the truth underneath the words.
She kisses back with the same intensity. Hands cupping my face, holding me like I'm precious.
When I pull back, something has shifted between us.
Not forgiveness. Not yet. But the beginning of possibility.
"We're going to try," I say. "Really try. You and me. This thing between us."
"Yes." She presses closer.
"But you have to earn it." I stroke her hair. "Every day. Through actions, not words. Through proving you're on my side when it matters."
"I will." She promises. "However long it takes. I'll earn it back."
I pull her on top of me. Need to be inside her again. Need to feel this connection while it's still fragile and new.
She sinks down onto me slowly. Both of us gasping at the sensation.
This time there's no anger. No punishment. Just intimacy I haven't let myself feel in five years.
I do not just fuck her, I make love to her. Slow, deep, maintaining eye contact the entire time. Watching her face as pleasure builds. Memorizing every expression.
"Ty moya," I murmur.You're mine.
"Ya tvoya," she whispers back.
When we come, it's together. Her clenching around me, my name on her lips, and I bury myself deep with a groan that sounds like surrender.
After, we lie tangled together. Both catching our breath.
"We're going to survive this," she says quietly. "Patrick. The threats. All of it. We're going to survive and build something real."
I look at her and can tell this is what she truly desires.
"Maybe," I allow. "If we're very lucky and very careful."