Chapter 50
CHAPTER FIFTY
Drago
When I reach for Lily’s bag in the trunk of my car, she does too. Our fingers brush, the contact electric and fleeting.
I don’t let go.
I sling the bag over my shoulder like it weighs nothing, even though my chest feels like it’s collapsing inward.
“Lily. I understand you don’t want anything more to do with me on a more personal level. But I’m still your bodyguard. That’s non fucking negotiable. So just let me do my job.”
She steps back, creating space between us. Her eyes stay fixed somewhere over my shoulder, anywhere but my face.
If she looks at me, I’ll lose control. I’ll beg. I’ll break.
I’m weak for her.
And she’s right. I’m not good enough. All I offer is danger and blood and a life that never slows down. She deserves safety. Light. A future that doesn’t come with a body count.
“Drago.”
“Yes.” I bite down hard, stopping the word baby before it escapes.
“Are you angry?”
I shut my eyes for a beat, breathing through the ache clawing at my ribs. “I can never be upset with you, Lily. I’m not thrilled about this situation, no. But I respect you and your choices, and I’ll stand by that. I can’t force you to hear me out. To change your mind. Only you can do that.”
Her lips part like she wants to say something else. Then she shakes her head and gives me that tight, polite smile, the one she uses when she’s bleeding inside. “Thank you.”
I gesture toward the front door and grab my own bag, slamming the trunk harder than necessary. Lev already has the door open before she reaches the steps.
“Lily! How did it go?”
I stop short, giving them space. Lev looks settled. Lighter. Happier than I’ve seen him in nearly two decades.
He has his daughter back. That’s all he ever wanted. Maybe this is a good thing. Even though it feels like my heart is being ripped from my fucking chest. It might be for the best.
Save her from me.
After they hug and Lily disappears inside my house, I finally step forward.
“You good, boy?” Lev asks.
“Yeah. Tired. Need some sleep.”
He laughs and slaps my shoulder. “You do look fucked.”
“Thanks, old man. I needed to hear that out loud.” I try to lighten my tone, but it doesn’t work.
I’m miserable.
“Coffee?” He asks.
“Something much fucking stronger.”
“For breakfast?” He says, warily.
“I don’t give a fuck what time it is.”
I blow out a breath, slamming my palm onto the wall to hold myself up. I just need a minute.
He sighs but heads for the kitchen anyway. While I make the dreaded climb up the stairs with Lily’s bag.
I knock softly on Lily’s door before pushing it open.
“Shall I just leave this here?”
She spins around, worry already etched into her face. “I can’t find my necklace.”
I lean against the doorframe, grounding myself. “I have it. It’s safe. Don’t worry.”
“What?”
I suppose now is a good time to tell her the truth; perhaps it will ensure she keeps me as her bodyguard. I don’t want to scare her, but there is a level of protection in being aware of the risks.
“There’s someone after that necklace. Someone really fucking evil. So for your safety, I’ve got it locked away. Once the issue has been dealt with, I’ll return it. It’s in the panic room. I need to show you anyway. Can we do that later?”
She drags a hand through her hair, frustration written all over her. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“To keep you safe.”
“Right…” She hesitates. “I suppose most things you do is to keep me safe, hmm?”
I could lie. I could explain Tatiana. I won’t. “Yes. Everything I do has a purpose. And that is keeping you safe.” I close the door before she can ask anything else.
Downstairs, Lev is burning eggs. I don’t have the energy to care. I grab the vodka and drink straight from the bottle.
“I need to go to Declan’s. You stay here with Lily.”
“Do you have good news?”
“I have news. When is there ever anything good?”
Lily comes down already changed. Leggings. Sports bra.
Fuck.
When she sits beside me, her knee brushes my thigh, and my body reacts instantly.
Then I look at Lev. The guilt hits hard—but not where I expect it to.
I feel worse about letting Lily believe I don’t want her. That I won’t fight for her. That I’m walking away because it’s easy. That hurts more than betraying Lev ever could.
“Mmmm. This is good, Dad.”
I snort. “You’re a terrible liar.”
She nudges my leg.
“It’s nice to see you two getting along so well.”
I clear my throat.
I need to get out of here. But not before stealing one last look at the woman who owns my heart. As I go to stand, my hand brushes her thigh, and she jumps. Fucking twisting the knife in further.
Pushing the chair in, she looks up at me. “Could you drop me at Bella’s?” She pauses before adding, “Please.”
I glance down at her barely eaten breakfast. “Eat your delicious meal first, and then I will.”
She scowls at me, and I bite back a grin. I can’t take her being miserable because of me. I don’t like this awkwardness either.
She picks up a forkful of eggs and shoves it into her mouth. With each chew, the fire in her eyes burns.
“Good girl,” I mouth, my back now to Lev.
There it is. Her cheeks go red. And I have no clue what the hell I’m doing here. I can’t stop myself.
I carry on taking my plate and shoving the food right in the trash. This pull between us, it doesn’t die. I’ll give her a little time. Some space to breathe and recompose. I know this is a lot. This, between us, is all-consuming.
I’ve known that deep down for years. I’ve had longer to adjust to that fact. But fuck this. I’m not letting her go, not like this. I’ll grovel until my knees shatter if I have to.
I will get my lastochka back. I just need to figure out how that works alongside keeping her safe. Because that will always remain my number one priority.