Chapter 33

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

TRISTAN

Layla's soft breaths blow over my chest as my fingers aimlessly comb through her dark locks while I watch her sleep. I haven't slept as soundly as she seems to be in decades. Staring at her in envy, I spent most of the night lying awake on high alert, waiting for another Bratva soldier to come for her.

She isn't safe here. Even with cameras and my two guys loitering at the entrances, I can't protect her like this. With an inept doorman and no security, virtually anyone could get to her before I could.

That's not a risk I'm willing to take.

Slipping from the bed without disturbing her, I walk to the living room to grab my phone from my trousers.

Get some guys together.

I'm moving Layla to my place later today.

LIAM

You barely know this girl, and you are moving her into your place?

They fucking came for her, Liam.

The Pakhan sent someone after her because they can't fucking get to me.

Oh fuck, Tris.

I need her to be where I can protect her.

Let the others know, too, and have Conor double up protection on Fiona.

Done.

Let me know when and where for her things.

Soon.

Using my trousers to wipe the remnants of last night's bloody fingerprint from the screen, I leave my phone on her kitchen counter and head back to her bedroom. Bypassing the bed, where she's still sound asleep, I make my way into the adjoining bathroom. I turn on the hot water to draw a bath and begin rummaging through drawers and cabinets in search of bubbles or bath bombs.

Pleased to find both in her linen cabinet, I opt for two deliciously scented honey bombs and drop them into the tub. I check the temperature of the water and adjust it accordingly to allow it to fill as I wake Layla.

"Time to get up, mo cuishle. " I delicately stroke the side of her face, and she stirs.

She scrunches up her face at the sunlight pouring through the small window. "What time is it? And why do you keep calling me that?" Her grumble is cute, but we have things to do.

"It's eight, my darling. Mo cuishle means my darling. You are mine now, aren't you?" My answer isn't a total lie. My darling is the common vernacular, but the literal translation means ‘my pulse.'

The reason my heart beats.

A delighted smile spreads over her face as she rubs the sleep from her eyes. "Is that the tub?"

"Yes. And if you don't get that perfect little arse of yours out of bed, it's going to overflow soon."

"Five more minutes," she whines.

"Now." I throw back the covers, revealing her gorgeous body. "I still need to clean up my mess from last night, and we have a few things to discuss."

Okay, a few things for me to dictate.

"Fine." She begrudgingly climbs from the bed and pouts. "Is there at least coffee?"

"Careful," I warn, helping her into the steaming, foamy water. She melts into the water with a delightful moan, and I slide in at the other end of the tub.

Lifting the washcloth from the edge of the tub, I dip it beneath the water and ring out the excess.

"Foot," I command as I hold out my hand. Layla lifts her leg through the surface of the water and places it into my awaiting palm.

"You said you were cleaning up your mess—" She's interrupted by her own giggles as I run the sudsy cloth along the sole of her— apparently ticklish— foot. "Did you do weird shit with my feet while I was sleeping?"

I lift her foot higher and place a tender kiss on the ball of her sole. "Wouldn't you like to know?" I jest, smirking as I rest her foot against my chest. After thoroughly washing her shin, I lift the razor from the edge of the tub.

Layla tugs at my firm hold on her ankle and scoffs. "You aren't shaving me."

"I am." I slide the blade from her ankle to her knee. "I suggest you stay still before you make a mess of us both in this tub."

"This is weird," she mutters. "So fucking weird."

"No, it's new." I resume shaving the short, prickly hairs from her leg as I continue, "You've just never been with a man who enjoys taking care of you. Who treats you like the queen that you are."

Content with the smoothness of her soft skin, I place her leg back into the water and reach for the other. I thoroughly wash it and glide the razor over her skin as she watches me in silence. I kiss her now slightly prune-skinned toes and put her foot back into the water.

"You will give so much to me with your submission. Taking care of you is just a small way I repay you for that gift, and it's something I thoroughly enjoy." I pause to extend my hand to her. "Now, come here."