Page 23 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

Together, we stepped back into a reality where loving each other remained the most dangerous thing we could do.

Chapter

Eight

KAYLANI

Sleep eluded me as I stared out my window.

Stars were scattered across the sky but none of the elusive shooting variety. Still, I made a wish. The same one I’d whispered in the dark for years.

Not to be a Mikhailov.

To be free.

To make my own choices.

To keep Goran safe.

A flutter of panic always followed him leaving. Tonight, I finally understood why.

It wasn’t fear for myself.

It was for Goran.

The beach had been a reminder of the dangers of our world. And I was terrified that one day he would take a bullet meant for me. His protective instincts overrode his self-preservation, and I would be the one holding his body as he died in my arms.

I reached for my phone on the nightstand and opened the text thread from last night.

K: You awake?

Sexy AF: I am now.

K: Sorry.

Sexy AF: Don’t be. Are you okay?

K: Yes. No. IDK.

I bit my lip, staring at the glowing screen.

K: I have a competition in Florida in two weeks. Think you can come?

Sexy AF: Miss me already?

K: Please, you should be so lucky.

Sexy AF: LOL!

K: Maybe I should just steal you from Nathaniel permanently.

Sexy AF: I thought you already had.

My body heated. I rolled onto my side and typed what I really wanted to say.

K: I wish you could hold me.

Sexy AF: I am. Don’t you feel my arms wrapped around you? You fit against me perfectly. You are a great little spoon.