The Devil's CrownPart Two - Monica James Page 0,142

stir up any repressed memories.

But what she did, she simply stole my heart all over again. She removed her little pink cardigan and gave it to Zofia, saying she looked cold. She unhooked her silver necklace and placed it around Lena’s neck, saying her eyes were as bright as the diamond around her neck. And Jacob, she gave him her treasured Thomas the Tank Engine book.

She accepted them without thought because they were her siblings. Although not related by blood, they shared a bond like no other. From that day forward, Zofia, Lena, and Jacob have lived with me.

My house has plenty of rooms, but the three little ones prefer to sleep together in the same bed. I understand and respect their wishes. I hope one day they will feel comfortable to choose their own rooms but one step at a time.

Jacob yawns, which has me realizing I’m still here, in their room. I often get lost in my head because I can’t believe this is my life. With Irina still clinging to me, I bend down and kiss the foreheads of my three children.

It makes me happy that they’re no longer covered in filth and are well-fed.

“Good night, маленькие ягнята. Sleep well.”

“Good night,” they sleepily reply in unison, huddling under the covers.

With one last look at them, I switch off the light. The night-light provides the light they need because they don’t like the dark.

Leaving the door open an inch, I walk to Irina’s bedroom with her clinging to my neck. Her gentle breathing alerts me that she’s already fallen asleep. Pulling back the covers, I gently put her to bed.

She shifts and gets comfy as I tuck her in.

Looking down at her, I never forget that she’s the reason I have what I do. Everything is for her, for all my children, because I will protect them with my life.

Just as I’m about to leave, Irina sleepily says something which has my heart clenching in completeness. “Спокойной ночи, папа.”

Good night, Papa.

Irina has always referred to me as Ski, and that has been more than okay. This is the first time she’s called me her father.

But I don’t want to make a fuss. “Good night, цветочек.”

Leaving her door ajar as she doesn’t like it closed, I wait out in the hallway, needing a minute to catch my breath. Is this what having it all feels like?

But when I hear soft footsteps pad along the carpet toward me, I realize that this is what a happily ever after feels like.

Ella and I haven’t spent a day apart since returning from Tura. She belonged with me, and I wouldn’t have her living anywhere but here. I know it seems awfully fast, but considering what we’ve been through, it made sense.

I didn’t want to be without her, or her without me. I suppose we’re one of those nauseating couples who can’t spend five minutes apart, but let them judge. I don’t care. This is the happiest I’ve been in, well, ever.

“What are you staring at?” she whispers, not wanting to wake the children.

“You,” I reply frankly, taking her in from head to toe.

She playfully rolls her eyes. I spank her on the ass in response.

Taking her hand, we walk downstairs toward the kitchen as I have a few minutes before I need to leave. Everyone has gone home for the night. It’s just us, and when she opens the freezer to retrieve a bottle of vodka, I lick my lips because there is something else I thirst for.

She turns around, vodka in hand, but when she sees me examining her very openly, she turns a lovely shade of red.

“Thirsty?”

“Very.”

She pours us a drink, and when she offers me a glass, I reach for her wrist instead.

Drawing her into my chest, I smirk. “Hello.”

“Hi,” she replies, peering up at me from under her long lashes.

I still can’t believe we’re here. I should be dead, and she should be living a normal life, away from this. But I’ve come to learn that this is normal for Ella. Her whole life, she felt like she didn’t belong, but now she does.

She belongs with me. She always has.

Lowering my lips to hers, I love the way she melts against me, allowing me to dominate her because no matter who I am, I will always need control. I can’t change who I am, but with Ella, we balance each other out perfectly.

Sometimes, she likes to be controlled, and other times, she likes to take the reins. There