Page 88 of Alexei

“Jesus,” she muttered, then swallowed hard. “I guess neither one of us knew our mothers but at least I had my brothers.”

She was right; she had her brothers. No matter what, the Ashford brothers ensured their little sister was their priority. As it should be.

She walked over and sat herself on the coffee table, opposite me. I wondered whether it was because she didn’t want to sit next to me or she wanted to see my face clearly. Aurora was one of those women that trusted people’s expressions not words.

Her legs were bare, her shorts revealing most of her naked skin, and I’d be a blind man not to notice it. Every single inch of her was exquisite, and I had to clench my hand or risk reaching out to her. I didn’t think she’d appreciate me interrupting her, questioning. Though at least her worries of our escape seemed to pause for a moment.

“Do you know who took you?” she whispered.

“Yes.”

“Who?”

“Vasili’s mother.”

She gasped sharply. “I hope you killed the bitch.”

Turns out, my little FBI agent was bloodthirsty. A perfect combination of soft and fierce. My lip corners tugged up. In the short time I’d known her, I felt the urge to smile more than I did in all my life.

“She killed herself.”

“That was too good for her.”

“Agreed.”

“W-were y-your-” she stammered, and I had a feeling it was because she was scared of the answer. Aurora, for all her tough demeanor, had a soft heart. I waited, letting her gather her courage to ask. “Were your adoptive parents nice?”

I thought back to the five sets of family that I could remember. There were at least two more that I couldn’t.

“I was moved each year,” I answered dryly. “Some were better than others. My last family-” I paused, the memory sending an uncomfortable chill down my spine. I smiled tightly. “They were good people. Vasili’s mother had them murdered in front of me.”

Those warm eyes widened in horror and her hand grabbed mine. It was her soft heart I loved the most.

Fuck!Did I fall for the agent while I wasn’t looking? Everything about her had my blood hum in approval at having her as mine. Just the thought of something happening to her had blood rushing to my brain and my ears buzzing. It was the most terrifying sensation because this world wouldn’t be the same without her.

Her soft eyes flicked to me, shimmering with tears. For me.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered softly, her small hand squeezing mine. “People can be so cruel.”

God, I wanted to keep her. Forever brand her as mine.

“Yes, they can,” I confirmed.

And soon, she’d realize how cruel.

ChapterTwenty-Nine

ALEXEI

Aurora paced the room.

It drove her crazy that we were locked in here. It drove me insane too, but I hid it better. For her benefit. You’d think after all those years of imprisonment, I’d handle it better.

When dinner came through the door, I caught Aurora eyeing the open door longingly. But a guard stood there. Her eyes darted to me and remained on me, as if she needed strength to remain calm. I offered an assuring nod, hating that she felt vulnerable.

Once they were gone, we ate our dinner. Afterwards both of us showered, separately of course. The sun was yet to set. I guessed it was about seven in the evening.

I sat on the sofa, ready to pick up a magazine when her voice had me forgetting all about it.