Reaching out, I rested my fingers against his hip. “Don’t be too mad, Adrik. Does it seem like I regret the choice they made? How they spoke to me?”

“Not yet.”

“What about I promise nothing they said or did will cause me any… damage?” Because I honestly didn’t think their actions would come back and bite me on the butt. They were tough, but in that moment, it was what I needed, and I didn’t even know that.

“You cannot promise such a thing.”

“I can and I will.”

His lips thinned. “We will see.”

All I could show him was how it didn’t negatively affect me like he thought. It would take time for him to believe it, but he would see. For now, a change of subject was needed. “Has there been any further development from the church?”

His nostrils flared. Shit, it probably wasn’t the best choice of topics.

“Nyet,” he clipped.

I blinked. My mind went to one point only. “So, it was only my… only them who did this to their child.”

Adrik moved. He put the book on the bedside table and slid down the bed to lie on his side facing me. “West,” he whispered.

I closed my eyes for a beat and shrugged, which twinged my back a little. Opening my eyes, I gave Adrik a sad smile. “I guess it’s good news.”

His fingers grazed my chin, neck and then rested against my jaw. My stomach somersaulted.

“Tell me about this job with Death.” It looked like it was his turn to change the subject.

I lifted my hand to wrap around his wrist. “In his security firm. In the surveillance rooms.”

He tapped his fingers against my jaw. “And this is something you want?”

“It’s a good job for now and pays well.”

“Are you done with Polished?”

I glanced away from his intense gaze, needing a moment to catch my breath. “I doubt the way I am would be good for clients.”

He gently pinched my chin, bringing my eyes back to his. “As long as you are speaking of what you have been through and not the scars you hold.”

“Adrik….”

“West, did I not tell you about when I first saw you? That I had to walk from you in that moment because you had made my lonely heart beat in a way it had never before.”

“Adrik,” I whispered, closing my eyes.

“You are beautiful. Even with your scars, moya lyubov’. One day you will believe me.”

My love.

Those words shot an extra pulse to my chest.

“You undo me, Adrik.”

“In a good way?”

Heat hit my face; Adrik chuckled and ran a finger over the globe of my cheek. I closed my eyes. “Yes.”

“I am glad, West, because you do the same to me. Ever since the first day.”

Meeting his gaze, I asked, “Would you eat ten chocolate muffins if I asked?”