Chapter 17 - Anton

As I lay next to her, I watched as she slept. I couldn’t dare let her go now that we've made love. I couldn’t lose this remarkable woman. Moving slowly, I carefully pulled the loose strand of hair out of her face. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was gorgeous.

Knowing I had to protect her, I decided to bring her into my world. I would talk to the family as she had to be kept safe. This was something I wouldn’t be able to achieve alone. My possessiveness around her was no longer a surprise. Yet, I couldn’t control it. It had a life of its own. It was a fire-breathing monster that did what it wanted.

Tenderly, I traced a finger down her silky-smooth cheek. I loved having her close, the way she smelled and felt. I had no words to describe the feelings she stirred in me. As I lay watching her chest moving up and down, I started drifting off.

The room was still dark when I awoke. Joyce was stirring in my arms. I smiled as my heart warmed, seeing her in my bed. It looked like she was dreaming. Her head moved softly as she lay mumbling. I caressed her cheek as I whispered. “You’re safe, Joyce.”

Her mumbling stopped, and I slowly slid my arm out from under her. I grabbed my sweatpants from their perch on the chair by the window. Pulling it on, I headed to the door. I had to call Alexandr.

Before stepping out, I collected my phone. I left the living room light off but switched on the one in the kitchen as I went. Filling the kettle, I tried to decide what to make for breakfast. After I prepared our cups, I rummaged through the cupboards. I had enough ingredients to make waffles, so it would have to do.

Once I had assembled the dough, I called Alexandr before making them. The phone didn’t make two full rings when he answered. His voice boomed through the phone. I had to hold it away from my head while he spoke. “Anton, what’s wrong?”

Chuckling, I replied cockily. “Why, good morning to you too. Why would you assume something was wrong when I called?”

“Morning,” he huffed. “It’s way too early in the morning for you to be calling,” he added.

“Well,” I said, lowering my voice. “It’s not a hundred percent accurate. But yeah, something happened.”

“I knew it!” he spat back. “You could never follow orders and had to be a cowboy, didn’t you? So, tell me what you did?”

Walking to the back door, I suddenly irritated and half angry at him. Opening the door, I stepped outside, not wanting to wake Joyce. “Stop, you don’t even know what is going on. Don’t assume to know me.” As I prepared to give him all the details, I bit my lower lip. I knew what I was about to say was going to anger him.

“Alexandr, please listen to me,” I asked calmly.

I could hear him sighing. Knowing my brother, I could see him pacing back and forth. “Okay, so tell me,” He finally said.

“Joyce, the woman who assisted me in securing the information for the Morozovs,” I looked out at the field next to the house taking a deep breath.

“Yes, what about her?” Alexandr inquired, sounding less angry and more intrigued.

“I might have placed her in danger. I went to check on her, and some people tried to kidnap her, but I got her out safely.” I felt a pain shooting through my heart as I spoke. Trying to steady my breathing, I waited for him to respond.

The line was silent; there was no response. “Alexandr?” I finally huffed, needing to know what he thought.

“Alright,” he replied, sounding too calm. “Where is she now?”

“I brought her back to the safe house,” I answered softly. “I stayed with her to make sure she was safe. She’s been through a lot. I want to bring her to the family house to protect her.”

There was another long pause, but this time, I waited for him. When Alexandr spoke this time, he sounded calm and calculated, like himself. Yet, I could almost feel the tension coming through the line. “Tell me, brother, is keeping her safe the only reason you want to do this, or is there something I should know?”

Considering the implications of telling him how I felt, I decided to keep it to myself for now. “No, it’s just to keep her safe. I can’t leave her here without guards. That’s why I thought it would be best to stay at the mansion for a bit. Just until we have sorted out the mess.”

Alexandr sighed deeply before replying, but I knew he wasn’t pleased with me. “I don’t think bringing her here, letting her into our world, is a good idea. But I also know you will do as you please. So, all I ask is that you keep in mind that she is not suited for our world.”

I knew what he was saying was true, but I had to have her in my life. I couldn’t let her go, and in time, I would tell my family. With this floating in my mind, I replied calmly. “I know, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take. She helped us, so we need to return the favor.”

Alexandr knew this to be true and his response was instant this time. “Alright, bring her to the main house. With our men there, she will be safe. I can’t have you distracted during this time.”

“Thank you,” I replied before hanging up. Pushing away any worries and anger, I headed in and made waffles. I plated them with fresh strawberries and cream before adding juice and coffee to the tray.

With the tray in hand, I went to wake my sleeping angel. Stepping inside, I stood frozen for a second, mesmerized. Setting down the tray on my side of the bed, I leaned over her. Tenderly, I caressed her cheek as I spoke. “Joyce, doll, I made breakfast.”

Turning her face towards me, she smiled, her eyes still closed. Then she grumbled about something before stretching out and sitting up. The sheets pulled taught around her waist, and I couldn’t help staring. The shirt she was wearing had been pulled down on one side, exposing her one breast.

My mouth fell open. My expression must have been something as Joyce started laughing. “It’s not the first time you see it,” she said softly. “Close your mouth and sit down.” Shaking my head and closing my mouth, I swallowed hard.

“Are you ready to discuss how we are going to approach this problem?” I inquired as I placed the tray on the bed.

Joyce glanced from the tray at me as she nodded. I knew I had to rip the band-aid off as quickly as possible and hope for the best. There was no time like the present. I had to lay out the facts so she could understand why I decided to do it this way.

“I’ll be taking you to my family home tomorrow.” I still had a lot more to say, but her reaction was instant.

Joyce lifted her hand, holding half a waffle in it as she spoke. “No, I am not going anywhere except back to my house.” It looked like she was ready to smack me with the waffle.

Taking hold of her arm lightly, I lowered it to the plate. Taking a deep breath, I spoke caringly. “Please just listen. Let me explain everything before you make a rash decision.”

She let go of the waffle and shifted away from me. Folding her hands across her chest, she appeared to be pouting. “Joyce, I am only doing this to ensure you are well-guarded.”

Her head turned sharply as she glared at me. “Why, can’t you protect me?” she spat before I could speak further.

I moved closer and gently took hold of her chin, sparing into her eyes as I continued. “As much as I want to protect you and be here for you, I have to sort out this mess. That means I can’t stay with you all day and night. If I don’t get to the bottom of this, you may never return to your normal life.”

Her eyes clouded, and her face dropped. My stomach turned, and I felt a tad sick as I knew my words were hurting her. But there was no faster way to make her come to terms with the situation. I knew she was upset as she pulled her face out of my grip.

Staring down at the bed, she spoke softly. “I understand.” She bit her lips and gave me a small smile as she continued. “Thank you, I know this is a lot for you.”

I smiled back at her and nodded. I watched as she finished her breakfast without another word. Once she was done, I took the empty dishes back to the kitchen. Returning to the room, I found her standing by the window.

“Joyce, I said, walking closer. “Are you okay?”

She shook her head, but I could hear her faintly sniffling. Standing beside her, I placed a hand on her shoulder. She glanced at me as she wiped a tear from her cheek. Seeing her so upset made me angry.

I didn’t want to be the one causing her so much pain. Her connection to me caused her the loss of her personal life and career. “Joyce,” I said, turning her to me. “I’m truly sorry for all of this.” I felt guilty for making her so miserable.

Taking her hand, I led her back to the bed. As she sat down, I went down on my knees before her. “I promise, I will do right by you no matter what it takes,” I said softly.

Joyce burst into tears and buried her head in my neck. I wrapped her in a loving embrace, rubbing her back. I thought we fit together like pieces of a puzzle as I held her.

Once her tears started drying, she pulled back as she spoke. “Would you just hold me for a bit?”

“Yes,” I replied as she turned and lay down. I got onto the bed behind her and held her tightly. “I am sorry, I will fix this,” I added stroking her hair. I caused this, and I would be the one to make her happy again, I promised myself, as I felt her relax in my embrace.