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I notice a couple bruises on her arm. “What happened?”
“I had to push my way through a crowd, got jostled,” she mutters.
Mikhail clears his throat, drawing our attention to him. “I’m sure there will be plenty of time to catch up, but for now, we’ve got to have an important discussion. Is Levitsky dead?”
I shake my head. “Better.”
My brother furrows his brow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“He’s detained in The Pit,” I explain. “I’m sure the other Bratva leaders will love the chance to sit down and talk with him.”
“Talk with their fists, more like,” Aurora comments under her breath. I definitely don’t think she’s wrong.
“Point is,” I say, “it’s over. We won.”
Mikhail visibly relaxes, the tension melting away from his shoulders and face. “I have a few calls to make. I’m sure our allies will be eager to learn of this latest update.”
“What do we do now?” Natalya asks softly.
“I think you two have earned a good, long nap,” my brother jokes lightly. “The guest wing is made up for you. Stay as long as you want. We’ll figure out your living arrangements later since your home is no longer livable.”
I, for one, am not going to argue against much needed rest. One look at Natalya is all I need to know she feels the exact same way.
* * *
We take care of Simon first, making sure he’s fed, bathed, and changed before laying him down between us on the bed. The sheets are silky and cool, the pillows soft and fluffy. I’m sure I have Aurora to thank for the welcoming bedspread.
The moment my head hits the pillow, exhaustion immediately tugs at my consciousness. It’s impossible to keep my eyes open. No matter how hard I try, no matter how much I want to look at Natalya and Simon a while longer, I can feel myself slipping into sleep.
I try to fight it, though. I’m still on edge, my protective instincts still in high gear. What if something happens to them while I’m asleep? I love them both too much. I can’t bear the thought of putting them through something like this again. I know Levitksy’s locked up tight, but what about our other enemies? What other threats are lurking in the shadows, ready to strike?
Natalya lifts a hand to graze her fingers gingerly over my cheek. “It’s okay, Dima,” she says soothingly. “We’re all okay.”
No words can describe how much I adore this woman. This woman who is infinitely braver, stronger, and kinder than I. With a slow, deep breath, I take in all the details of her face and commit them to memory. The arch of her brows, the slope of her nose, and the way her soft lips curve into a smile. I’d know her in the dark. I’d know her in my dreams and at a distance and everywhere in between.
She has a protective hand curled around Simon as he sleeps between us, his little hands clutching both of our shirts. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more adorable. I hope he’s having good dreams.
“New York,” Natalya murmurs, her eyes fluttering closed.
“Hm?”
“For our vacation. I want to go to New York. See all the sights and do all the touristy things.”
“That can definitely be arranged. I know all the best places.”
“I can’t wait.”
I smile softly, propping my head up on my elbow. “So how did you get Simon out?”
“I’m going to pretend to be asleep now.”
“Nat.”
She pretends to snore, whistling as she exhales.
“Come on, angel. You can’t keep an awesome story like that from me? I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”
She cracks an eye open. “Promise you won’t be angry?”
