Fatally Yours

Chapter 35

•INDIANA•

The next morning, I awoke to sunlight streaming through the wide balcony doors of my room, the warm rays bathing the space in a golden glow.

Bucharest had a charm I hadn't expected, its late autumn weather crisp yet inviting. After a quick shower, I sorted through the clothes Aleesa had graciously given me last night. 

Among the neatly folded garments was a sundress—a simple yet beautiful piece. It was a soft shade of lavender, with a fitted bodice and a flowing skirt that reached just above my knees.

Tiny white flowers dotted the fabric, adding a delicate touch. I decided it was perfect for the weather and slipped it on, pulling my hair into a low ponytail to keep things light and breezy. 

Before heading downstairs, I picked up the new phone Aleesa had also given me. I'd used it late last night to text Keith, updating him on my situation here. Though I couldn't give him too many details, I made sure he knew I was safe—for now. 

As I stepped into the hallway, the scent of fresh bread and coffee wafted through the house, making my stomach rumble. I wandered downstairs, taking my time to soak in the quiet elegance of the place. The wide, open windows allowed streams of sunlight to pour into the main living area, and I found myself drawn to one overlooking the gardens. 

The view outside was stunning. Rows of meticulously kept flowers painted the landscape in bursts of vibrant colors, while a gentle breeze swayed the tall grass further out. I leaned against the window frame, letting the sunlight warm my face. 

"Nova." 

The sound of my name startled me. I turned around quickly to find Dominik standing just a few steps away, his dark eyes locked on me. 

For a moment, neither of us spoke. There was something in the way he was looking at me—a sharp intensity that made me feel suddenly self-conscious, as if he were seeing me in a different light. 

"Did you sleep well?" he asked finally, his voice low but even. 

"Yes," I replied, my heart beating faster than I wanted to admit. 

His gaze flicked over me briefly, lingering on the dress.

"Aleesa got you new clothes?" 

I nodded. "She did. I like them." 

He didn't respond immediately, his expression unreadable as he studied me. The silence stretched between us, charged and heavy, until he finally broke it. 

"I wanted to apologize," he said, his tone softer than I'd ever heard it. "For bringing you here so suddenly. I didn't give you a choice, and that wasn't fair." 

I blinked, caught off guard by his words. 

He ran a hand through his hair, glancing away before meeting my eyes again.

"I only did it because I had a feeling they might go after you next. You're new, and they could try to terrorize you for information. I wasn't going to let that happen." 

I didn't know how to feel. His words were disarming, almost vulnerable, but there was something about Dominik that made it impossible to fully trust what he said.

Was he telling me the entire truth, or was there something more he wasn't saying? 

Still, his admission stirred something in me. I felt... bitter, in a way.

Bitter because he had basically confessed that my life was in danger because of his enemies. Bitter because it was his decision to drag me into this. But despite myself, I couldn't ignore the faint warmth blooming in my chest at the realization that he'd done it to protect me.