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ALEXEI
Isabella laughs as I silence the timer I set, then she says, “One hour. Was it worth the amount you would’ve charged under normal circumstances?”
I press a kiss to her mouth. “Yes.” My teeth tug at her bottom lip, and I feel a groan build in my soul. “Definitely.”
As my tongue drives into her mouth, and I taste her again, I know I’d pay a hell of a lot more than the ten million I would’ve charged just for the chance to kiss her like this.
Before I can take things further, Isabella breaks the kiss and leans back. “I have to get back to Ana.”
Oh. Right.
Reluctantly I let go of her, then I ask, “Is Ana one of the girls you saved?”
Isabella nods.
“Why did you keep her?”
A protective look settles on her face. “She had nowhere to go, and… she needed me.”
Searching Isabella’s eyes, I say, “You love her a lot.”
“Ana’s my family,” Isabella admits. “I trust her.”
A smile curves my lips. “She’s to you what Demitri is to me.”
Nodding, she says, “Yes.” She hesitates for a moment. “Ana’s been through a lot. She’s… sensitive.” Regret flashes in Isabella’s eyes. “I was too late.”
I stare at Isabella as I realize what she’s trying to tell me. Nodding, I say, “I’ll tell everyone to be careful around Ana.”
“Thank you.” Isabella swallows before she adds, “It will take her a while to get used to everyone. It took two years before she was comfortable with me. She’ll probably keep to herself.”
Knowing how much Ana means to Isabella, I ask, “What does she like to do?”
“Security. She handled the cameras and system for me.”
Drawing my bottom lip between my teeth, I try to come up with a plan. “That’s Demitri’s area. Ana will probably freak out if I stick her in the security room with Demirti and Nikhil.”
Isabella nods. “Maybe at a later stage.” Taking hold of my hand, she gives me a sincere look. “Thank you for wanting to make her feel at home. I think she should take a break and just be a normal twenty-year-old.”
My eyebrow lifts. “Ariana will be perfect for that. Will Ana be okay with her?”
A smile tugs at Isabella’s mouth. “I’ll ask Ana.” Then she presses a kiss to my lips.
As she starts to walk to the door, I ask, “Why didn’t you take the engagement ring off?”
I glance over my shoulder as Isabella smiles at me. “How else would you find me?”
“You wanted me to watch you?”
“I used you for the protection you provided,” she teases as she opens the door.
“You’re sleeping here tonight,” I say, my tone clearly saying it’s not negotiable.
Still, Isabella defies me as she murmurs, “We’ll see.”
I follow her out of the room and smile when she glances at me before opening the door to the guest room. Heading downstairs, I go to the security room.
When I walk inside, Demitri turns his attention to me. “No black eye?”
“And I even got a kiss,” I joke.
He lets out a chuckle, shaking his head at me.
“About Ana. Tell everyone not to approach her. She’s a survivor and still dealing with things.”
Demitri nods. “I’ll take care of it.”
“We’ll let Ariana bond with her first and then take it from there.”
“Okay.”
Just then, my phone begins to ring, and pulling it out of my pocket, I see it’s Lucian. “Give me good news,” I answer.
“Your shipment is ready.”
“Thank you,” I say, grinning from ear to ear. “Today is a good day.”
“When will you arrive?” Lucian asks.
I think for a moment. “Three days.”
“See you then.”
Ending the call, I meet Demitri’s eyes. “Have you told Ariana she’ll be staying with Cilian?”
“I’ll take care of it tonight.”
I nod. “I’ll text to remind Carson to do the same with Hailey if he hasn’t yet.”
When I walk out of the security room, Ariana comes toward me. “It’s almost time for dinner.”
“Fuck, I forgot about food,” I say, and then I glance to the second floor. “Let me check with Isabella, but I get a feeling they’ll eat in the bedroom.”
“Okay.”
I head up to the guest room and softly knock on the door. I’m surprised when Ana opens the door a couple of inches and peeks at me.
“Where’s Isabella?” I ask.
Ana pulls a little back behind the door. “She’s showering.”
“You want to eat in the dining room, or should I bring your food up here?” I ask, giving Ana a choice.
“Ah…” she glances to the bathroom, then back at me.
The fear and pain in her eyes is a punch to my gut, and I crouch down, so I have to look up at her, hoping it will give her a false sense of strength.
“You’re important to Isabella, so I really want us to get along.”
Ana just stares at me as if she’s waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Taking a deep breath, I say, “When I make a promise, I keep it, so I don’t make them often. But, Ana, I promise you’re safe with me. I won’t touch you unless it’s to save your life. I’ll respect your boundaries. I love Isabella, and I plan on marrying her, which means the two of us will become family. I always protect my family.”
“Do you really love her?” Ana asks the question I least expected.
“With everything I am.”
Ana nods, then she swallows hard. “Can you bring the food up here?” I nod and straighten to my full height, then she adds, “And maybe you can eat with us?”
A smile spread over my face. “I’d like that, little one.”
When I glance over Ana’s head, my eyes connect with Isabella’s. Her features are tight with emotion from watching Ana and me, and then she mouths, ‘Thank you.’
“I’ll be right back.”
