Page 79 of Dark Seduction
Alexei extends a hand to Lev, a sincere gesture filled with newfound ties and unspoken promises. Lev pauses, eyeing the hand as if it might be a trap, but after a moment, he grabs it firmly. "Appreciate the assist, Alexei. Owe you one.”
"No worries," Alexei responds with a half-smile. "I sincerely hope this is just the first of many times I can lend a hand to the Ivanov family—myfamily.”
We exit to see Vanya patched up but still looking like he’s been through a war zone. Lev hands him the vodka with a stern look. "I'm not suggesting, I'm ordering—take the week off."
Vanya laughs, a rough sound that’s more relief than humor. "Think I’ve earned that, boss.” He pops the top off the vodka and takes a long, deep pull.
As the cleaners wrap up their eerie efficiency, Lev turns to me, something soft in his gaze that’s usually reserved for quiet moments far from danger. He takes my hands, pressing them against his chest where his heart beats a steady promise.
In that quiet gesture, the night’s madness fades for a moment, replaced by the silent strength of his presence.
Lev’s gaze is intense, almost burning a hole right through me as he blurts out, "I’m a damn fool."
I blink, taken aback by his sudden confession. "What are you talking about?"
He takes a deep breath, his voice heavy with emotion. "I came so close to losing you tonight… I can’t even think about it without feeling sick." He pauses, searching for the right words. "And here I am, having not even told you I love you, Dalia. You mean everything to me."
But then his face falls, and he looks away, a shadow of guilt passing over his features. "I failed to protect you tonight," he admits, his voice breaking slightly. He can’t even look at me, as if he's ashamed of his admission.
Then, slowly, he turns back, his eyes locking with mine, filled with a desperate kind of hope. "Can you forgive me for that? I need a chance to prove to you that I’ll move heaven and earth not just to keep you safe, but to make you feel my love for you, every single goddamn day."
His plea hangs in the air, raw and earnest.
Lev’s hand gently lands on my belly, his touch careful, full of intent. "And the baby," he whispers, sincerity lacing every word, "I’ll do anything for him or her. Just give me that chance."
As his vow sinks in, warmth floods through me, mingling with an ache that’s part relief, part love. Tears well up, because, let’s face it, how could I not melt right now? His promise to protect our future nudges my heart into overdrive.
"I love you like crazy, Lev.”
Just then, the sound of cars rolling up breaks our little bubble. I glance over Lev’s shoulder to see Elena, Yuri, and the whole gang stepping out.
They catch us right as Lev and I are in the middle of a kiss that feels like it could stop time—a kiss full of all the love and madness of our life together.
As we finally break apart, I can’t help but smirk slightly at our audience.
"Perfect timing, folks.”
My tone is light but my heart full, knowing we're surrounded by family who've got our backs, no matter what.
Chapter 35
Dalia
Subject: Checking In
Dal,
Hope this email finds you well. Just wanted to see how you're doing. Let me know when you have time.
Dad
We're gliding through the skies on a private plane headed for LA, and here I am, laptop open, staring at an email that’s enough to give me whiplash.
Known for being more of a man of action than words, Dad’s emails usually are as brief as they come.
"It's just a check in, asking how I am," I explain to Lev, who's lounging next to me. "Simple and to the point," I continue, "but coming from him, it’s practically a novel."
Lev cracks a smile at that, his gaze thoughtful as he watches me absentmindedly toggle the cursor. "It’s a good thing, though, right? Your dad reaching out. It's a step in the right direction."