Opening my eyes, I uttered, “They were. But does it make me one when I want her dead?”

“Nyet, West. You had done nothing to them. You had been their son. They were supposed to care for you. They did not. They tortured you. They said it was for God, but it was lies. I will not let her get away with treating you as they did.”

I raked my top teeth over my bottom lip as my heart thundered in my ears, and thoughts ran through my mind. “Can you do me a favor?”

“Anything.” He sounded so adamant it made my chest hurt from the way my heart fluttered to life.

“Don’t tell me what happens.… I don’t want to know anything more about her. I-I’m just glad to know she suffered already.”

He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it, causing my heart to react again. Only that time, my stomach fluttered right along with it.

“I will do this.” He ran his thumb over my skin on my hand. I couldn’t help but watch the movement.

Why was he there? Why would he do this for me? Why would he kill for me?

Those were questions I wasn’t ready to hear the answers for.

Instead, I asked, “How did you find out my name?”

He winced. “I have something else to confess.”

Oh.

“What?” I asked softly.

He took a breath and released my hand. I missed the contact instantly, which wasn’t good, as in the end, I’d have to push him away.

He leaned back once more and glanced to the door. “I had a man watching you.”

My stomach dropped. “Why?”

He met my gaze. “That is for another time. But know it was in your best interest.”

“Adrik, you can tell me now.”

“Nyet, your food and drink will be here soon, and you are not ready.”

Not ready?

I didn’t understand.

“I will be staying in this house,” he announced instead, which threw me from any other thoughts.

“Why?”

He smirked. “Because.”

“Because? That’s all you’re going to say?”

“For now.” He stood, bending, and I closed my eyes when I felt his lips press into my temple. “Rest, moya lyubov’.”

“What does that mean?”

He pulled back a little. “Moya lyubov’?”

“Yes.”

His hand slid over my hair. “One day, I will tell you. But you need rest to heal. If you need me, I will not be far.” He straightened and started for the door.

“Adrik?” I called.

“Da?”

“Thank you… for saving me.”

“I will always save you, West. From anything.”

I felt he meant more by that, but I couldn’t work out what. He opened the door, and I heard Lucas’s squeak. “Hello… um, you’re leaving?”

“Is there a room I can take as my own?”

“Yes, of course. One right next door to here.”

“Thank you.”