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She lifts her head, a small, surprised smile on her lips. “Did you just say you love me?”

“Yes.” I meet her eyes. “I love you.”

Her smile widens. She leans up and kisses me. When she pulls back, I raise an eyebrow. “Aren’t you going to say it back?”

She shrugs, a teasing glint in her eyes.

“Aurora.”

She laughs softly. “I love you too.”

I kiss her deeply, pouring everything I feel into it.

Just then, my phone rings. I pull back just enough to check the screen. It’s Sergei.

“We found the woman,” he says. “But she’s dead. Bullet to the head.”

My jaw tightens. Whoever is behind this is systematically eliminating every loose end. And they just made a very serious mistake by coming after my wife.

Chapter 25

Aurora

I wake to the smell of something delicious, and when I open my eyes, I find Roman sitting beside me with a breakfast tray balanced across his lap. For a moment, I simply stare at him, still trying to take him in.

After everything that happened yesterday, seeing him makes something warm settle in my chest.

“Good morning,” he says, leaning down to kiss me.

I immediately turn my face away, covering my mouth. “Wait. I haven’t brushed my teeth.”

He raises an eyebrow. “And?”

“Morning breath.”

“I don’t give a fuck.”

Before I can argue, he pulls me toward him and kisses me deeply. I laugh against his lips, but he doesn’t let me escape until he’s had his fill.

When he finally pulls away, his thumb brushes over my cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“Better. I’m fine, actually.” I stretch slightly, then wrinkle my nose. “Although I desperately need a shower. I haven’t had one since yesterday morning, and I feel disgusting.”

“You should eat first.”

“I’ll be quick. I just want to wash all of yesterday off me.”

His expression softens. “Alright.” He pulls me in for another kiss before finally letting me go.

After a long, refreshing shower, I feel like an entirely different person. By the time I return to the bedroom, Roman is on the phone, his expression serious as he listens to whoever is on the other end.

When he finishes the call, he looks at me. “Come on. Let’s eat outside.”

We take the breakfast tray onto the balcony, where the morning air is cool.

“The doctor is coming to check on you,” Roman says, between bites of toast. “You’re sure you’re feeling okay?”

“I am. A little tired though. I feel like I haven't slept enough—I can go sleep a bit more in a little while.”