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Our hands cling to each other, breaths uneven, shared between us like our hearts are fragile and air is necessary.

It is so quiet in my head, because I’ve accepted that I love you, Sergei.

“I-I lo—” but I can’t say it, because he covers my mouth with his hand.

THIRTY-THREE

Sergei

One week left.

“You’re like a migraine, I wish I could pump you full of meds.” Alec roars pushing Roman away.

“Can you guys stop it?” I growl before Roman can charge towards Alec. “Just fuck each other out of your systems already.” That earns me a wild, unhinged smirk from Roman.

“Oh, I am definitely going to fuck you up.” He adds. “Roman, if I’m fucking a Volkov, it’s not going to be you.”

And the playful air vanishes as Roman’s growl travels through the air before he lunges at Alec.

I hear a fist meeting with flesh, the sound of impact echoes through the room, followed by a grunt as the two lunatics fight like bulls, tearing up my couch in the process.

When I see blood streaming from Alec’s nose and mouth, staining the beige couch, I push to my feet.

“Oh my God.” Elara’s voice cuts in from upstairs. I glance up to find her standing there, a towel in hand as she dries her damp, golden hair.

Her black top clings to her, the low neckline drawing my attention on her cleavage for a second too long and I suppress a groan.

“What’s happening?”

“Good morning, baby.” I offer her a small smile before stepping in and tearing the two idiots apart. “Did you sleep well?”

I ask as she nods, my grip on the back of Roman’s t-shirt tightening as he tries to lunge forward, while my other hand keeps Alec pinned to the couch. “I made pancakes for you.”

“Oh, fuck you arsehole, touch my sister and I’ll rob you of your life.” Roman growls in my ear as I stand like a barrier between the two.

“Stop it.” I snarl back. “Both of you.” Pulling Roman apart, he’s forced to take a few steps back while Alec straightens his collar, still breathing hard.

“Stay away from my baby sister.” Roman barks as my gaze settles on Elara’s frame, a small smile marring her face as she marches down in those skimpy brown shorts leaving her legs bare.

“Aleksandr, you’re fucked in the head. Alina doesn’t need that.” Roman growls again in my ear.

“He didn’t mean anything by that.” I offer. “Alec is straight Roman, he just meant—”

“I’m straight too, Moscow princess.” He retorts back.

“Roman—” the words die on my tongue as Elara’s lips land on my cheek, lingering for a while before she steps back.

“Good morning, Mishka.” She mumbles in a soft voice, and my eyes widen.

D-did she just call me a teddy bear? In my own language?

“Holy fuck.” Alec coughs.

“Dollface? You’re betraying me?” Roman pouts, his movements slow as he marches past me and rests a hand on Alec’s shoulder.

“My sister is off-limits, Alec.” His tone does a one-eighty as he speaks to him and Alec only nods, but the unhinged look in his eyes doesn’t fade.

“You don’t have to worry; pretty sure she hates me.” Alec responds with a cheeky smile and I sigh internally. “She’s like a—”