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I hid my chuckle with a smile. “It won’t. Because it won’t be needed again.”
I wouldn’t have to, just for the simple reason that Ilias’s life was no longer on the line. I wasn’t naive to the fact that danger would always stalk him, he was one of them, but whoever dared harm him would meet their fate. It also came down to the terrifying circumstance that anything could take him away. One thing I knew for sure, I would be by his side and live our present as if every day was our last.
It was the only way to cherish every breath I would take.
“Good. Now, I need a minute with Arlo.”
As soon as he finished his sentence, I was up on my feet and ready to leave this room with Ilias.
He followed behind, his hand never leaving my lower back as he opened the door.
The gala was over, and only a few people remained as they cleaned as quickly as possible. The pianist and violinist were also here, taking a break and leaving me wondering why have they stayed even if the event was over.
The question didn’t bother me to find an answer, I just wanted to flee to the room so I could finally let go in his arms.
I took the first step up the staircase, but his hand stopped me. With the force of momentum, I spun around until we were on eye level.
“Wait, I just…” Ilias tried finding the right words. His eyes apologized instead as his thumb and index finger held my chin. “About your father.”
“Don’t.” I shook my head. “It would be pathetic if I believed you hid it in spite. After everything we’ve gone through, all you’ve risked for me, I don’t need an explanation, especially when I’m sure you were just as surprised as I was.”
“I wanted to tell you after all this was over.”
“I don’t know him,” I stated, and it was true. I’d only spoken to Chief Pierce a few times. The conversations were short and impersonal. I had never cared about my father enough to find out his name or who he was. It had always been mom and me, and after she passed, I couldn’t find the courage to find him. “But I can’t be mad, when in the end, he’s the reason I found you.”
“Kroshka,” Ilias growled, making me chuckle as he didn’t know the right way to take my feelings. He looked around the room, and when his captivating irises held mine, he asked, “Would you like to dance?”
My brows pinched. “Now?”
“Da.” Yes, he’d said bringing me down the step.
“Here?” My lips twitched.
“No one is watching.”
“Without music?”
“Do you want to dance?” He stressed again.
This time with a smile, I replied, “Da.”
Ilias took my hand, pulling me as he walked backward into the open space. His hand lifted and my body spun before he brought me to him.
A soft tune began to play from afar. My palms rested on his chest, feeling his beating heart against them. Emotion welled as I couldn’t fathom how this could be possible.
How did I cheat death again and get him, too?
“Is it really over?” I whispered. My voice cracked with doubt, knowing I didn’t have to run anymore. It cracked with the pain and trauma I could let go of with time.
“Hey.” Ilias brought my eyes to the depths of his blues. With his hand on my neck possessively, he whispered, “Nothing will get between us.”
My throat tightened and my chest constricted to his words. It was the strength and certainty of us in his voice that tugged my heart. The small smile that tried to calm the raging war inside of me, and it did. He did. Now the uncertainty was gone after a deep breath as I kept my eyes on him. My reality.
Epilogue
Davina
Miami’s sun hid under the rolling storm clouds, darkening the skies. The loud cracking from above stole my attention as thunder and rain poured heavily from above.
