Page 184 of Mafia and Scars

“I survived,” I repeat, savoring the words.

No one has ever heard that story from me. And Viktor’s response, the way he says it, makes it sound like something else. Like I didn’t just endure. Like I actuallyfought.

We sit like that for a while. Outside, the city moves on. But in here, it feels like time has stilled.

“I know I’m not good for you,” Viktor says suddenly, breaking the quiet. His voice is low and almost pained.

My head jerks toward him. “What?”

He stares ahead, jaw set, “You said you couldn’t have a dangerous man in your life. And I understand that.”

I turn to look at him again. “And yet, you’re the only one I feel safe with,” I whisper.

His gaze finally meets mine. There’s a shadow of disbelief in his eyes as he shakes his head. “You think I’m safe? You’re wrong, Avelina.”

“No.” My voice is louder this time. “You make mefeel safe. There’s a difference.”

The silence after that is heavier, and I know he’s trying to figure out what that means.

“And it means I love you, Viktor.” The words are out before I second-guess them. “This has made me realize that even if you have a dangerous life, you make me feel safe. I feelprotectedwhen I’m with you. I feel like my children are protected around you.”

He’s completely still.

“You don’t need to say it back,” I say quickly, “I just…I’m trying to be upfront. You’re not just a man who helped me out once. You’ve been there in all the little ways that matter. Your empathy for Sofia. The way you looked after Leon. The way you watch out for me, even when you think you’re doing it wrong. You remember what kind of coffee I like. And the flowers.” I smile. “Yes, I know they were from you. And that’s not nothing. I know now that you’re exactly the man I need.And exactly the man I want.”

He turns his hand beneath mine, so our fingers lace together. “I can’t love you the way other people do,” he admits. “My heart is different. I think, act,feeldifferently.” And that’s him.Raw. Honest.

“Viktor, you have a bigger heart than anyone else I know. You take in stray animals, take in stray single moms and their kids, show them that they aren’t alone. You have the perfect heart. And you’re all that I need.”

I see another SUV pull up, and one of Viktor’s men and Babulya climb out of it.

“What are they doing here?” I ask in surprise.

“I asked them to come. You’re shaken. If you’ll let me, I’m going to take you back to the compound, and Babulya is going to bring the kids.”

I nod in response. And after getting the kids settled in the SUV with Babulya, Viktor drives to the Kremlin. We pull up the familiar drive and enter the house without a word. Babulya takes care of the children for me, and she’s just as thrilled to see them as they are excited to see her. Men pass us in the hall. Viktor doesn’t acknowledge them, and his hand stays on the small of my back.

Finally, we’re in his room. It’s clean and just as precisely ordered as I remember. I peer out the window, but it’s the backyard that catches my eye.

My chest tightens.

Daisies.

I can see that the vegetable garden is full of the white blooms. But it’s not just that. A huge area of the lawn has also been dug up and planted with even more of my favorite flowers. It must have taken him ages.

“You did that?” I ask, jerking my head toward him.

His shoulder lifts in the faintest of shrugs. “Yeah. They’re your favorite, and they reminded me of you.”

It’s such a simple statement. But it feels like something much bigger.

I sit on the edge of his bed, not sure if I’m more exhausted from tonight’s events or wired from the adrenaline.

He steps in front of me. “You should sleep. I have some work to do. Then I’ll be out in the hall.”

“Wait,” I say, my voice quiet. “You can stay…”

His jaw flexes. “If I stay, Avelina, I won’t leave.”