“I may continue to help Beatrice find Jamieson Finch.”
As Aleksei growled, Deva gently put her fingertips on his lips. He nipped teasingly, but she shook her head.
“I won’t put myself in danger, but don’t ask me to stay on the sidelines when someone may threaten the man I love again. Try to tell me you wouldn’t do the same.”
He didn’t nod this time, lifting his chin, assessing what she was saying. “And what else?”
Deva sighed, as if in pain. “I need a new couch.”
Aleksei blinked several times, as if not quite understanding the words before he laughed. If Deva hadn’t already been head over heels for him, she would have been done right there.
“I have a couch. A big one.”
Deva pouted. “But it’s at your place.”
The Russian seemed to think about that. “Are they all your non-negotiables, Deva?”
“Pretty much, but I’ll fill you in along the way if others pop up.”
“Well, if we are negotiating, I would like to revisit the rejection of ‘permanent alliances’ clause.”
Deva’s eyes darkened, determination resurfacing. “I told you, I won’t bind myself to the Bratva, that’s out of the…”
“And what about me,solnyshka? What about binding yourself to me?”
If it was possible, Deva’s heart expanded in her chest. This man was everything, and more.
“I don’t know. I’ve never been with an accountant before. I’m told they are very boring, and bad in bed.”
His eyebrow shot up, but the predatory gleam was quickly back. “Well, it seems that I’ll have to redeem the reputation of all accountants. And I think it would be a full-time job. That’s why you must move in with me.”
The man could be as subtle as he was stubborn. “Let’s start with a weekend. If you survive my lack of cleaning skills, chips on your couch, and my weekend TV marathons. Then maybe we’ll talk.”
“And what if you can’t survive me?”
He might be teasing, but she knew there was a tiny bit of truth behind the words. Survivor and fighter, a wounded soul. So similar to herself. They would have to learn to navigate together, and it wouldn’t be an easy ride.
“I think I’ve survived your worst, Voronov. And I’m tough. I have serious doubts about you though.”
Aleksei kissed her lips before offering her a wicked smile. “We will talk then. And you’ll stay for more than a weekend. Be sure of it.”
Deva smiled back at him, hesitant about what she was about to say next.
“I have another question, what does ‘liubmaya’ means?”
The face she adored looked at her in such a way, her breath caught. “Lyubimaya. It’s an endearment. It means ‘my love’.”
Deva had suspected as much. Hoped as much. And that little word gave her the strength to take yet another leap. To trust him with her heart once more.
“Ya lyublyu tyebya, Alyosha.”
Aleksei frowned, his silver gaze wavering for a second before he took her in a mighty bear hug. His voice was raw and filled with the same emotion she felt in her soul.
“Oh, my Deva. We must work on your accent. And I love you, too.”
