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What was there left to say?
He clasped me on the back. His hand stayed there, and he squeezed my shoulder. “You have never failed me, Viktor. And I know you won’t now.”
I didn’t reply. I couldn’t even if I tried.
Alessio walked away without another word, leaving me in the silence of the chaos he left behind. I was confused…angry…so many emotions. It was fucking up my head.
My life only had one purpose, and it was to protect them—my family. Whether I fought, maimed, or killed the enemy, it made no difference to me. If I had to take a bullet for my family, I would have embraced death with a goddamn smile on my face.
I had put my life on the line and made a deal with the devil. For them. To protect them.
I had never questioned my own loyalty, not even once…
Not until now…
Not until her.
My sweet myshka.
My perfect, well-planned life was now in chaos, and a choice needed to be made.
You have never failed me, Viktor. And I know you won’t now.
I closed my eyes, hating the way those words sounded in my ears.
Viktor, you are every hope that I’ve ever had. My demons are silent in your presence, and you make my angels dance in harmony.
Weak. I was so fucking weak.
Valerie, I have made many promises to you. And I intend to keep and fulfill all of them. One by one.
I made my promises to Valerie, and I was a man of words. I would never break my vows.
But…
Solonik is our enemy. His mere existence is a threat to us, to this family. One little distraction could get you killed and ruin us all. Our lives lay in your hands, Viktor. Remember that when you make a choice.
My brother…whether he was a fucking heartless asshole, he was still my family. For a King, the crown was heavy to wear. The burden heavier than that of a soldier. Even though his words were hurtful, I knew his motives were in the right place. He wanted to protect me, to protect us all. We had been through too much together for us to break apart now, when we were so close to our goal.
A choice…
I sank down to the chair when my feet couldn’t hold me any longer. My head fell into my hands.
Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
Chapter 11
Alessio
I wandered into my bedroom and my eyes sought out Ayla, but she was nowhere to be found. Our bed was disheveled but, nonetheless, empty. I knew she wasn’t in the nursery, because on my way to our room, I had made a stop there to watch Maila sleeping soundly, most likely dreaming of fairies.
“Ayla?” I called as I walked to the bathroom. Opening the door, I found my wife in there in the middle of undressing.
“What are you doing?” I questioned, watching her trying to disrobe. She did a little wiggle to try and get the nightgown over her rounded belly.
Ayla huffed and then agitatedly started pulling at her nightgown, trying to get it over her head now. I silently reached forward and helped her. In her state, it seemed that Ayla exhausted herself very easily.
Once the nightgown was gone, her lips twisted and then she pouted. “Trying to take a shower.”
“Now?” I raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“Yes. Now.” She cupped her full breasts, and her black brows furled together. “I am leaking and it smells once it dries. I can’t sleep like this.”
Oh.
Ayla shrugged and then walked into the shower, keeping the glass doors open. That was a silent invitation, and I eagerly started to undress. I couldn’t say no to that. She threw a look over her shoulder and then smiled coyly. “Come and do your husbandly duties. You’re slacking.”
I growled at her words, but she only laughed. There was a teasing glint in her eyes. “Vixen,” I muttered loud enough for her to hear.
“I was an Angel a few hours ago,” she retorted, her lips quirking up to the side.
I joined her in the shower, both of us now naked. The water cascaded around us, and Ayla blinked several times, keeping the spray of water from getting into her eyes.
She lifted her hands up and cupped my cheeks. I watched in silence, waiting to see what she’d do. Maybe a kiss?
I leaned down to steal her lips, and she came to me softly, opening up for me like a blooming flower. Her lips were my solace and her kisses were my saving grace.
She threaded her fingers behind my neck and nipped at my lower lip. My cock jolted forward, but this wasn’t about fucking and owning each other. The way Ayla was kissing me, the way my lips moved over her, it was a tender caress. This was simply a moment to remind both of us that we were here, safely in each other’s arms, and what we shared was no simple love.
