I lower my eyes to the fabric I’m clutching in my hands. “We can’t be together. Not if it will cost your life.”

Silence stretches between us, then Demitri says, “All my life, I knew I’d die for Alexei, but there wasn’t anyone to live for. Until you.”

His words rip at my heart, and I squeeze my eyes shut. “I won’t be the reason you die.”

“Ariana.” He waits until I look at him. “Without you, everyone dies. I can’t do my job without you next to me.”

God.

“But…but,” I gasp, unable to think of something to say.

Demitri gets up and comes to sit on the bed. Placing a hand against my cheek, he leans in. “I made a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

“You can’t know that,” I cry.

“Trust me,” he says, leaning closer to me. “I know myself. It will never happen again.” He gives me a reassuring look. “Also, we should’ve worn bulletproof vests. It was just a stupid mistake on my part.”

I stare at him and then whisper, “Promise me you’ll always wear a bulletproof vest.”

“I promise.” He moves his hands, brushing his thumbs over the dark circles beneath my eyes. “How do you feel?”

Better now that you’re here.

“Hungry and dirty,” I answer, the corner of my mouth lifting.

“Shower while I fix you something to eat.”

We move off the bed, and then I think to ask, “Did you at least pack me a bag of clothes, or did you just fling me over your shoulder again?”

He lets out a dark-sounding chuckle. “Part of your punishment. I want you naked.”

My lips part, and I watch as he walks out of the room.

Punishment?

My stomach flutters at the thought, and then it hits that Demitri came back to me. He never gave up on us.

Even though we still have a lot to talk about, it feels as if my heart is beating for the first time in two weeks.

I walk to the bathroom, and turning on the faucets, I strip out of my leggings and shirt. I step under the spray and take my time washing my body and hair.

Demitri came for me. Once again, when I needed him the most.

I think back to our conversation and how he said he’s alive because of me, and it’s like a soothing balm to my bruised heart.

Stepping out of the shower, I dry my body and squeeze the excess water out of my hair. Grabbing Demitri’s toothbrush, I quickly brush my teeth, and then I walk to his closet and take one of his shirts from it. I pull the fabric over my head and then leave the room.

When I walk into the kitchen, there’s a plate with a slice of toast with cream cheese and a cup of coffee. Next to it is a note.

Eat and then go to your room.