Page 187 of Wicked Refusal

Until now, he’s been keeping a respectful distance, letting me get out everything I needed to say. But he isn’t doing that anymore. He’s got rage, too, boiling just beneath the surface.

And, for the first time in my life, I don’t feel like stopping him.

“What were you about to call her?” he asks again, slamming him into the nearest wall. “Say it, you worthless piece of shit. Insult the woman I love to my face. See what fucking happens.”

Brad’s mouth zips closed. He doesn’t speak, doesn’t blink, doesn’t so much as breathe.

I’d be lying if I said I’m not enjoying every second.

“Right,” Yulian spits. “That’s what I thought.”

He tosses Brad into the street like he’s trash. “Now, get the fuck out of my sight. Before I decide to remind you what happens when you touch what’s mine.”

Brad scrambles to his feet. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him run this fast in his life. It’s like his shoes have sprouted wings. Within seconds, he’s lost in the night.

I let out a breath. Feel my heart slowing down, one pounding beat at a time.

“So,” Yulian drawls, bumping our shoulders together. “The feds?”

“I didn’t actually call them,” I confess. “Didn’t think it would be wise to bring the federal government into our, ahem,business. Those sirens were just a happy coincidence.”

“But you have the recording.”

“I do.” I grin and stick my tongue out. “Tikhon’s gift. Ingestible whatsitcalled. Hopefully, it downloads somewhere and we don’t have to dig it out.”

Yulian bites down a grin. He pulls me close and kisses me. It’s a long, sweet kiss, one that leaves me full with the promise ofmore. “You were brave, Nurse Winters,” he whispers against my lips. “I’m proud of you.”

“Why, thank you, Mr. Lozhkin. So did you.” I glance towards the parking lot. Every single camo-wearing soldier is on the floor, which makes me think the blood’s all theirs. “What happened with Desya?”

“I showed him mercy.” He caresses my lips with his thumb, almost reverent. “He didn’t suffer. Not in the end.”

My heart swells. “Then I’m proud of you, too.”

Desya was as troubled as they come. If Yulian managed to see that, see past his desire for revenge and get closure for them both, then…

He really has changed.

“What about Gwen?” I ask.

“Oh, she suffered, alright. Nik saw to it.”

“Can’t say I’m too torn up about it.”

Yulian stares into my eyes, his gaze soft. “Yes, you are. But that’s what I love about you.”

What I love about you.The Yulian I first met never used to say things like these. Never used to wear his heart on his sleeve, too busy pretending he didn’t have one.

But he’s not that Yulian anymore.

Now, he’smyYulian.

We kiss again. This time, we’re interrupted by a tiny voice calling out, “Mommy! Daddy!”

Yulian freezes. But Eli doesn’t even notice, too busy wrapping himself around his pant leg like a tiny little eel. “I’m glad you’re okay,” he says when we both look down at him. “Thanks for saving me.”

“Technically, your mom saved—” I elbow him lightly in the side. “… You’re welcome, son.”

Son.It warms me from the inside—to hear him call Eli that. To hear Eli’s little voice call him “Daddy” with all the joy in the world.