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***
Early in the morning, I am woken when I feel someone sitting on the edge of my bed. I bolt up, terrified that those men have come to take me again.
“Hey, wow, sorry. I didn’t mean to give you a fright.”
Kiril is holding a cup of coffee, which he places on the bedside table.
I start crying when I see his face, realizing all over again that he was never the one who took me, and before I can think reasonably, I lean into his arms with my head against his chest.
He pulls me onto his lap and rocks me gently.
“Little rabbit, what happened?” His voice vibrates through my body.
“I had a horrible nightmare.”
“You’re safe with me. Don’t ever forget that. No one can hurt you here.”
He holds me for a long time, and I think over and over about everything he has done for me. And now I have been asked to betray him in exchange for the life of my friend.
I am not crying from a bad dream. I am crying about what I have to do.
When I eventually push away from him, he stares at me with tenderness on his face. He brushes my tears away with his thumb.
“Come on, have some coffee, and then join me for breakfast?” he offers.
“I would like that, thank you.”
He smiles and it lights up his entire face. He is absolutely gorgeous.
***
Over the next few days, I find myself more and more drawn to Kiril.
I see him in a completely different light now, and I finally understand that his care and attention have been genuine all along. I even start to tease him a little, laughing and joking, and even though it is not my intention, I find myself flirting too.
I don’t mean to become attached to him as I know who he is. I know what his family does, what they are known for. He is a Dubrov, and everyone has heard that name before. He is dangerous. But he is nothing like those other savages.
When he is not around me, I miss him, and sometimes I even go wandering around the house looking for him. His face always lights up when he sees me walking into the room where I find him. He always stops what he is doing to talk to me and ask me if there is anything I need.
I literally need nothing. He makes sure I have everything before I can even think about it.
This mansion has been turned into my home and he has made sure that it is the most comfortable place I could possibly ask for. The more I find myself opening up to him, the more he does for me.
I cannot deny the attraction. I have to force myself to stop staring at him, and I see him looking at me in the same way. I don’t want it to get to that point, though, as I know it will affect my heart.
***
During dinner one night I am feeling incredibly frustrated, as I have been thinking about Lauren all day. I want nothing more than to reach out to her and say hello. I want to know that she is doing alright. That she got home safely. But I cannot. We have never been apart this long and it feels as though half of my soul is missing. She is my rock, my support and my strength. I want, so badly, to talk to her. But I need to keep her safe.
I know Kiril will let me message her if I ask. He would probably even let me phone her at this point, but it would be so irresponsible of me. I don’t know how those men found out I was here. I don’t know if me making contact with her again will put her in danger and it is not a risk I am willing to take.
I shift the food across my plate with my fork.
“Are you not hungry, little rabbit? You’ve hardly eaten, and you’re pushing that food around as though you’re trying to rearrange a puzzle.”
“I’m not hungry,” I huff, feeling lost, frustrated, and worried about my friend.
“Do you not like it? I can have the chef make you something else.” Kiril stands.
