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You hurt, I hurt.

Everything comes rushing in, the memories, the pain.

The love.

"My Sisi," I croak, my arms reaching around her small body to tug her to me. And as I feel around her back, I find pieces of metal embedded in her clothes.

"What…" I start, but she silences me with yet another kiss.

"I'm fine. We're fine." She drags her lips across my cheek. "Everything will be fine."

I don't know why those words simply break me. And I do something I should have done a long time ago.

I let myself feel.

44

SISI

"What are you doing out and about?"

My hands on my hips, I glower at him, my expression showing him I'm not joking.

"I'm fine, hell girl. Besides, who's going to help with the renovations?" He gives me that charming smile of his in hopes it will melt my anger away.

Melt me it might, but not my anger. Not when he's just gotten out of bed, his stitches not completely healed.

"Not someone who was shot four times in the chest, Vlad." I roll my eyes at him. "Certainly not someone who wasjustat death's door. Drop the shovel and come with me," I beckon him toward me, an eyebrow raised as I wait for him to argue.

He doesn't, because he knows he won't win with me. Not when I've stayed day and night by his side, nursing both his body and his mind.

Something had happened to him that day at Miles' compound. Gaining all of his memories back had shifted something in him, and he'd changed—utterly and irrevocably.

For days after he'd been mortally wounded, he'd languished in bed, fighting between life and death, and I don't think I've ever felt greater anguish than thinking he might just… die.

Still, I'd had to be strong for both of us. I hadn't left his side for a minute. Even as my own bruised flesh had been paining me, my back riddled with small wounds from the impact of the bullets against the bulletproof vest.

I'd put everything aside, because in that moment, I had one purpose—him.

But when he'd come to, the change had been obvious in his features, in the way he held himself. More than anything, I could see a new lightness in his eyes.

He hadn't talked at first, staring into empty space.

But slowly, he started opening up, telling me everything that happened.

How Vanya died.

Though rationally he realizes it wasn't his fault, he can't help but hold himself accountable for everything that happened to his sister.

"You're so hot when you're bossy," he drawls when he comes to my side, his arm snaking around my waist.

I catch it, swatting it aside as I turn to him, a thunderous expression on my face.

"You don't get to play the charming rogue when you're barely on your feet, mister. If you think about getting out of bed again, I'll bury you myself, since it's clear you have a fervent death wish."

"Hell girl," he murmurs as he comes closer, his mouth skimming my cheek, "you know I love it when you threaten me." His breath on my skin, I can't help the involuntary shiver that goes down my body.

"I'll let you bury me," he starts, and I note the amusement in his tone, "only if I get conjugal visits," he whispers, and my lips twitch.