Ivan(18)

Unable to help himself, Ivan put the cup of coffee on the floor and gently took her small hand in his. The simple act of touching her soft skin calmed his raw nerves. He couldn't shake the notion that he was falling fast—too fast—for Erin but there it was.

Like a siren, she called to him, enchanting and binding him to her. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her. Taking on two vicious gangs and a drug addict sister seemed a low price to pay for keeping Erin in his life.

It wasn't simply her beautiful face or the shockingly hot sex they'd shared that made him want her. Those things were nice, of course, but the intense pull he felt toward Erin came from a different place. She was something sweet and pure that demanded protection. She'd put her trust in him and he would never allow her to regret that. As long as she wanted him, he would protect and defend her.

Erin stirred. She inhaled a long, slow breath and blinked a few times. Her gaze jumped around the room. A grimace tugged at the corners of her mouth. When she glanced at him, her expression softened. Her lips curved in a smile. "Ivan."

Knowing that his presence put her at ease filled him with such happiness. Ivan swept his fingers down her face. "I didn't mean to wake you."

She looked down to their joined hands and gave his a squeeze. "I don't mind." Looking a bit bashful, she admitted, "I liked waking up to find you here, holding my hand."

There was so much Ivan wanted to say but this wasn't the place. Things were good between them right now. He was content to leave it until later. "Dimitri brought you something to eat. Are you hungry?"

She nodded. "Starving, actually."

He doubted that very much but didn't correct her. People here flung around the word so lightly but none of them knew real starvation, not as he and his friends had as children.

Ivan untangled their hands and rose from his chair. He grabbed the bag of pastries and the other cup of coffee. She took them with a smile. "Right after you left, I had a chance to speak with a nurse. She said Ruby will probably drift in and out of sleep all day."

He returned to his seat and picked up his coffee. "I'm not surprised. A human body can't take that much abuse. She's lucky to be alive."

Erin peeled a soft bit of bread from the brightly iced bun. She nibbled it slowly. "I think she wanted to die."

His gaze snapped to Erin's face. She looked so sad and he ached for her. "I don't—"

"No." She interrupted him with an anguished frown. "You don't know her. She's never taken that much or tried so many different kinds of drugs in such a short time period." Erin stared at her sister. "I think she was afraid the gangs were going to catch up with her and decided that was the best way out of the mess."

Ivan didn't know what to say. He didn't want to upset her anymore so he tried to find a gentle reply to set her at ease. "Let's be happy that she's alive. All the rest? It doesn't matter. Not now."

Erin seemed content with that piece of advice. She quietly finished her breakfast while he stroked her arm and upper back. When she was done, Erin turned her full attention to him. "You found Ruby."

He nodded. "I did."

"That was our deal. You'd help me find Ruby. So what happens now? With us, I mean."

He heard the anxiety in her voice. "What do you want?"

"You."

It was a simple answer but one so powerful. Wanting to soothe her nerves, he leaned over and brushed his lips across her cheek. "Then you've got me."

She grasped his hand and tugged him closer for a proper kiss. More seriously, she asked, "And what about the gangs after Ruby?"

"Don't you worry about that. I'll protect you, angel moy."



CHAPTER FIVE



Sometime later, I found myself alone with Ruby. Lena and Vivi had stopped by for a little while to bring me some clean clothes and an overnight bag. Trading emergency keys with my closest friends had been a good idea after all. Vivi had wanted to stay but Lena had rightly guessed that I needed some time alone with Ruby. Just knowing my two best friends were there for me was more than enough.

Ivan's absence from the hospital I felt more keenly. He'd finally left around noon when I'd forced him to go. The man needed a nap and a shower and a good meal. Still I couldn't deny that his hesitation to leave me hadn't touched me deeply. It had been a long time since I'd had a strong man in my life or someone who wanted to protect and care for me. What Ivan seemed to be offering tempted me a great deal.

But I couldn't think about my love life right now. Ruby still hadn't become totally conscious. She'd wake for a few seconds and then fall right back asleep. I found the steady beep of the heart monitor reassuring. It let me know that she was doing much better than she looked.