27. Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Z oya

Mornings are completely different for me since I’ve been living with Lash. Instead of waking up in fear after a restless night, I’ve awakened with a sense of calm and comfort.

Today, the light streaming in tells me it’s later than I usually awaken, but the best thing is the feeling of Lash’s claws in my scalp. They’re slow and gentle as he cards through my hair. The feeling soothes something deep in my soul.

My back is cuddled to his front, but I don’t need to twist to see him in order to know there’s a soft, affectionate smile on his handsome face. When I finally turn to greet him, his expression is just as I imagined. He’s looking at me as though I’m this wonderful thing that dropped into his life.

I know the feeling. I feel the same way about him.

“Good morning, Starlight.” He gives a soft, nibbling kiss to my forehead.

“I love my new nickname.” My voice is dreamy. We learned English in school in Ukraine. During our first year, I remember learning that silly song, “Twinkle, twinkle little star”. It was such a simple, basic song, but it made me happy when I mastered all the words.

“Starlight, Moonshine, Sunshine. Whatever I call you, Zoya, I want to call you mine.”

For a moment, it feels as though my blood curdles in my veins. When Max called me his, it wasn’t a good thing.

Forcing down my fear, I focus on Lash’s face. This male has never hurt you, Zoya, and I don’t think he ever will.

Wading through my initial terror, I allow myself to feel the joy Lash’s words were meant to convey.

“Yours?”

“We’ve got lots of time left on our ninety-day trial period. Don’t freak out.”

Blin. He must have seen the panic in my expression.

“No freakout. It just took a moment to sink in. It feels… good.”

I don’t know how I manage to snuggle even closer, but I do. Pressing my palms to his cheeks, I let Lash see all my affection beam out of my eyes.

“Yes. It feels good,” I repeat.

The tips of my breasts are pressed to his chest, and I can’t control my fingers from sifting through the fur on his shoulders. It’s soft and irresistible to touch.

“Maybe we could…” I ease a few inches away and let my fingertips trail down his chest from his Adam’s apple, “find new ways to make each other feel good?”

A spark of lust flies through me when his eyes turn molten at my suggestion.

He cups the back of my head and is leaning closer to claim my lips when his phone buzzes. He groans as he pulls away. “Could be important.” When he glances at the screen, his muscles tighten and he sits up.

“It’s Samantha. You should take it.”

My heart leaps into my throat. News from my lawyer could change everything.

“Samantha, hi.” I try and fail to keep my voice steady as I put the call on speaker. No reason Lash shouldn’t hear what she has to say. “What’s up?”

“Zoya, I have some updates for you.” She’s all business, cutting straight to the point. “I reached out to my contact at the State Department, and they’re willing to make an exception in your case. You can apply for a K-1 visa with someone other than Max.”

Relief crashes over me like a wave. The idea of being Lash’s fiancée fills me with hope for about two seconds. Then I’m reminded of a whole new list of terrifying possibilities, like being legally bound to someone who starts out kind and then turns into a monster. I try not to let her hear the fear in my voice when I say, “That’s… that’s incredible. Thank you so much, Samantha. I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” she cautions. “There’s something else you need to know.”

Dread congeals like cement in my belly. What now? Lash grips my hand, lacing his fingers with mine, willing his strength into me.

“Max has filed a missing person’s report with the State Department. He’s claiming you’ve disappeared.”

Ice slides down my spine. “What? But… but I didn’t disappear. I left. There’s a difference.”

“I know that, and you know that. But Max is painting a very different picture. He’s saying you’re mentally unstable, that you’ve been making wild accusations against him.”

Anger flares hot in my chest. “That’s insane! He’s the one who hurt me! Not only that, he basically held me prisoner!”

“I believe you, Zoya. But we have to tread carefully here. The last thing we want is for the authorities to track you down and send you back to him.”

I close my eyes, fighting back the panic clawing at my throat. The thought of being forced to return to Max, after everything I’ve found with Lash, the tenderness, the affection…

“What do we do?” I whisper as Lash clutches me tight.

“For now, Zoya, lie low. Don’t leave the Zone unless absolutely necessary. I’m doing everything I can to keep your location under wraps and make sure this process stays above board with the State Department.”

“Okay.” I take a deep, shaky breath. “Okay, I can do that.”

“Good. I’ll be in touch as soon as I have more information. Just remember, you’re not alone in this. We’re going to figure it out.”

“Thank you, Samantha. For everything.” For a while, I’d wondered if everyone in America was cold-hearted like Max. I breathe easier to know Max was the bad apple. Everyone else I’ve met has gone out of their way to help me.

“Anytime. Talk soon.”

I hang up and tuck myself closer into Lash’s firm embrace as I try to process everything Samantha just told me. I should be ecstatic that I have a chance at a K-1 visa with Lash. But all I can focus on is the icy fear in my veins at the thought of Max searching for me—and what I’ll do if he finds me.

“That fucking bastard,” he growls. “I won’t let him get anywhere near you, Zoya. I promise.”

Burrowing into his warmth, I let his strength seep into me. “I’m just so scared, Lash. I thought I was free of him, but now…”

“Hey.” He tilts my chin up, his silver eyes fierce. “You are free. And you’re going to stay that way. We’re in this together, remember? And you have not only me but the Wolven Warriors on your side.”

A wobbly smile finds its way onto my lips. “How could I forget? You’re kind of hard to shake.”

“Damn right.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “You’re stuck with me now, Starlight. Better get used to it.”

I laugh, some of the tightness in my chest easing. “There are worse fates, I suppose.”

We stay locked in each other’s arms for a long moment, just holding each other, breathing each other in. The road ahead may be uncertain, but for right now, in this instant, I feel safe. Cherished.