Page 57 of Unbridled Fire
“You let us worry about that,” I said, patting his wrist. “Leo is an excellent protector, and I feel extremely safe here. You will too.”
“Do you have 5G Wi-Fi? Alexis messaged me that she has some stuff she wants to work on with me, and I’d like to see what she’s talking about.”
“I have 5G, and yes, we’d love for you to connect with Alexis,” Leo said. “We’ve been making some big plans in the background, and you’re an integral part of them, Dima. We think you’re really talented, and want your powers to be used for good, like Obi-Wan.”
“That’s a reference from a really old movie called Star Wars,” I teased.
“I know Star Wars. Obi-Wan is the man.”
“Ah ha!” Leo said, lifting a finger. “See? I know what the kids are into. Still got it.” He huffed on his fingernails and rubbed them on his shirt.
“Is there any more pasta?” Dmitry asked. “I mean, if you have any left to spare. I’m starving.”
“Absolutely.” Rising, I heated him another dish and set it in front of him. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to speak to Leo privately while you eat. If you need more pasta, just grab it from the fridge.”
“Thank you,” he mumbled, his mouth full as he chewed.
I took Leo’s hand and led him into the den. Closing the door, I turned and faced him. Forming a sheepish grin, I placed my hands on his chest. “Please don’t be mad.”
“For asking the kid who tried to put you in prison—and who’s on the run from the bratva—to move into our house? Why would I be mad?”
Laughing, I curled my fingers into his chest. “I can tell you’re teasing me. Good job.” I winked.
“Or, maybe I should be mad that you asked him to move in before I officially asked you?” His hands rested on my cheeks as he reverently gazed at me. “I was going to, you know. I don’t ever want you to leave. I want you and Sonya to stay here...forever if you’ll consider it.”
Inhaling a shaky breath, I struggled to hold back tears. “That’s a big step,” I whispered.
“Yeah.” His thumb traced my lips. “But we’ve been around the block enough to know what we want. And I told you that I suck at casual.”
“I think Sonya and I have already moved in, but yes, we can certainly make it official.”
He breathed a sigh of relief, as if he’d been afraid I’d say no.
“And Dmitry?” I asked.
Leo’s eyes swam with deep compassion and understanding. “He’s the same age Elena was when she passed, isn’t he?”
I nodded, feeling my nostrils flare as the tears thickened.
“You see a part of her in him,” he said, reading me so well; maybe even better than I understood myself. “You couldn’t save her, and you won’t let him meet that same fate.”
Swiping a tear away, I exhaled a ragged breath. “I have another chance, and I won’t fail this time, Leo. I won’t let it happen.”
“Okay,” he said, wrapping me in his arms as I buried my face in his neck. Letting the sticky emotion free, I cried against his warm skin as he soothed me.
“Of course, he can stay with us,” he said against my ear. “I’m sure you’ve realized by now that I don’t have the ability to say no to you.”
Laughing, I drew back. “And you have a soft spot for him too. Admit it.”
His smile was so handsome as he stroked my hair. “Yeah, he’s a great kid. Maybe we can look into petitioning the court to be his legal guardians if that will help him get his green card faster.”
My eyebrows lifted. “We’d have to be married to stand a chance at that. Courts prefer permanence, financial stability and a family unit. I have several friends who’ve battled with immigration court, and I understand the process all too well.”
Those blue eyes stared into my soul as his smile deepened. “Getting married isn’t a problem for me...if it’s not for you.”
My tongue darted out to bathe my suddenly parched lips. Were we actually talking about marriage? I was pretty sure I loved Leo, but that was a huge step for someone like me who’d been independent for so long.
“Deep breaths, sweetheart,” he said softly. “We have time. I know this is a lot.”
