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CHARLOTTE

W ith Isabella tucked safely in Declan’s arms, he guides me through the long hospital corridors.

Every step closer to the door, visions of the last time I saw him flash through my head.

The blood. His agony breaks my heart.

Drago is a good man, stuck in a war he didn’t ask for.

It was only his kind heart hidden in that big chest that landed him in this hospital bed.

I remember the day he found me locked away in Vlad’s house.

No one knew I was there, other than his sadistic brother. A dirty little secret.

I often wonder what would happen if the elusive Tatiana found out what her brothers were up to.

She is the only person who incited fear into Vlad. A family of deceit. It wouldn’t surprise me if it runs a lot deeper than just what they did to me.

I shake my head. That is no longer my war.

Drago is my only concern. The one who saved me from complete captivity.

His alliance was once with Vlad. But the moment he saw me, withering away in that room, he did everything he could to get me out of there.

To the rest of Vlad’s family, I was just a contract killer. Not his wife. I owe Drago my life.

I open up the door and tears stream down my face as I find him sitting up in bed, even with a busted lip, he’s trying to smile.

“Come here, warrior,” he croaks.

Rushing to his bedside, I’m careful as I lean over and hug him.

“I’m so sorry, Drago,” I sob.

He tuts.

“I always knew what I was doing. It was always my risk and my burden. I chose that day to protect you. I’m sorry I didn’t do a better job.”

I pull back and shake my head.

“You did everything you possibly could.”

Drago’s eyes light up as Declan follows in behind me.

“Uncle Drago!” Isabella excitedly squeals.

As Declan drops her to her feet, she stops, and her eyes well up as she studies a beaten and bruised Drago.

I usher her over.

“It’s okay, baby. He’s just a little bit hurt, but still the same man.”

She tiptoes to my side and I pick her up.

“Here's my little superstar. I missed you.” Drago holds out his hand to her, and she takes it.

“Uncle Drago, you should see where I’m living now! A chocolate factory and loads of woods. We will have so much fun there.”

“We will, once I’m fit and healthy again,” Drago confirms.

I frown and look back at Declan, who is now edging closer to the bed.

“Am I missing something?” I look between the two most important men in my life.

My love and my best friend.

Declan strides over to the opposite side of the bed and holds out his hand to Drago, who gives him a firm handshake.

“It’s good to finally shake the hand of the man who protected my girls. A debt I can never repay, but I will try.”

“No debt, Declan. Just look after them.”

“I will. With my life,” Declan replies sincerely.

I clear my throat to get their attention, and they both laugh.

“For the time being Drago, once he’s signed out of here, will be moving into a property on the Decadence estate. It’s no longer safe for him to be in Russia. We are still unsure of the fallout that will follow from Vlad’s death.”

“But I thought Tatiana needed you?”

Drago swallows.

“She will be deeply hurt. I lied to her all of these years by hiding you and Isabella from her. I won’t be welcomed back, especially with Emil still alive. There's a lot of skeletons in that family's closet. I hoped, one day, to be in a position where I could tell Tatiana the truth, which would have saved both you and her. The risk against you and Isabella was too large for me to rely on her. And who knows what the brothers would have done to her. I’ve worked under Vlad for long enough to know the sincerity behind his threats. Perhaps one day I will see her again, and I can explain.”

I nod. Tatiana is a mystery, that’s for sure. I have no bad blood with her; how was she supposed to help me when she was also kept in the dark?

If anything, I feel sorry for her. Trapped in that family.

“We can’t risk you going back there. I think we’ve both exhausted our time in Russia, don’t you?”

He scoffs.

“I never believed I would ever say this. But yes. I believe that is true,” Drago replies, a sadness filling his voice.

“So, you’re really staying here?”

He nods.

“Well, I gotta see this damn chocolate factory, haven’t I?” He grins at Isabella.

“And it tastes soooo good, Uncle Drago. Like, out of this world.” She even claps with excitement.

“You think I could live the rest of my life not watching her grow up? Never.” He shakes his head, and my heart swells.

Isabella has no idea how lucky she is.

“I think it will be good for all of us, and Drago is exactly the kind of man I want in my organization. A man who will risk his life for my family.”

Wow.

“Thank you,” I mouth to Declan.

“We have all the time in the world to catch up, Charlotte. I’m safe here, I’m getting stronger every day. It won’t be long until I’m back. Then we can get back to training.”

I offer him a soft smile.

“I don’t think that’s the Charlotte I want to be anymore, Drago. I think my fighting days are over.”

He arches his brow.

“Fighting is in your blood. You lived and breathed it, even before Vlad. Don’t let him destroy your memories and your passion. Even if it’s to teach Isabella or other kids. Don’t lose your skill. Let it be your outlet and your peace. It was never meant to be a weapon, Charlotte. It’s an art.”

I wipe away the tears, thinking about my teenage years. How free it made me feel.

“Okay. You convinced me.”

“You are not evil, Charlotte. Your skill doesn’t make you a monster, it was him. Don’t let him steal any of the parts of you that you love.”

I nod, and Declan is already by my side, wrapping his arm around my waist.

“Words of wisdom, Drago. I always needed those.”

“I didn’t initially think I’d say this, but I like this guy,” Declan whispers, and I giggle.

“Me too.”

It’s good they don’t see each other as any sort of competition or enemy. They both add different things to my life.

Mine and Drago’s friendship will never die, and hopefully, he and Declan are at the beginning of starting something pretty cool.

“Now, let me get my rest. I’ll be seeing you soon.”

Isabella perches on the edge of the bed and carefully gives him a hug.

As I carry her to the door, Drago coughs, and I stop.

“And Declan, if you hurt her, I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”

Declan’s jaw ticks, and he spins to face him again.

“Trust me, if I ever hurt her, I’ll deserve your wrath, and I’ll take it gladly.”

Drago laughs, and I relax.

“Just teasing. I needed to gauge your reaction. You passed the test.”

Declan chuckles, and I usher him out of the door in front of me.

“I think you two will get on just fine,” I tell him as he picks Isabella out of my arms and she snuggles into his side.

“Finn and Conan actually suggested the idea. So with the three of you all being Team Drago, I knew he had to be a good guy. I knew that anyway, after all he’s done for you, it’s the least I can do.”

I go up on my tiptoes and press a kiss on his jaw.

“I love you, Declan.”

“I wanna see Uncle Finn and Conan.” Isabella pouts, and my chest swells.

She’s got everything she needs in this life.

She is safe and loved, and I couldn’t ask for anything else.

And now, three uncles who won’t ever leave her side.

A lucky girl.

And so am I.