Chapter 194
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Keira closed the door behind her with a satisfied smile, already anticipating Alexei’s return. She was grinning because he had indeed undone her dress
and then had trouble leaving her.
She moved through the suite, turning off most of the lights except for the soft glow from the bedside lamps. She removed her dress the rest of the way,
then her shoes and underwear.
She was exhausted, but her mind refused to settle. She really was worried about Amelia and she really hoped Amelia took her advice.
Her phone buzzed on her way to the bathroom. Keira grabbed it to see a text from Blair: How are you going?
Keira typed back quickly: Survived royal family dinner. Met Alexei’s brother and sister–in–law… they’re lovely. Maria hasn’t improved, knowing her better, she is still a bitch. Will call tomorrow.
Blair’s response was immediate: Love you.
Love you too.
Keira set the phone aside and moved into the bathroom.
She spent only a few minutes under the hot spray, then emerged and wrapped herself in a plush robe after drying herself. Keira headed to the bed, removed the robe, and slipped between the sheets naked… knowing Alexei would only remove everything as soon as he arrived.
Keira fell asleep before Alexei returned, even though she tried to stay awake.
For the first time since the kidnapping, exhaustion won out. The comfortable bed, the safety of the palace walls, and the emotional drain of the day pulled her into deep sleep.
But her sleep brought no peace.
In her dream, she was back in the warehouse. The same cold concrete floor, the same musty smell, the same harsh lighting. But this time, when the kidnappers came for her, her words meant nothing.
“Please,” she begged as rough hands grabbed her arms. “I can get you money. My family-”
“Shut up,” one of them snarled, dragging her away from Alexei.
“Keira!” Alexei fought against his restraints, struggling to reach her. “Don’t touch her!”
But in the dream, the kidnappers had guns trained on him. He couldn’t move, couldn’t help, could only watch as they pulled her toward the door.
“No, wait!” she screamed, clawing at their hands. “I told you, my family has money! I can get you whatever you want!”
They weren’t listening. Her bargaining chip, her wealthy family, meant nothing this time. She was just another body to them, expendable and worthless. “Alexei!” she cried out as they dragged her from the room. Through the closing door, she could see him straining against his bonds, blood trickling from where he’d torn his wrists trying to break free.
“I’ll find you!” he shouted. “Keira, I’ll-”
The door slammed shut. She was alone with them.
“No!” Keira screamed, fighting against the hands that held her. “Please, don’t do this!”
But they were already pushing her to the ground, rough voices laughing as she struggled. This time, there would be no rescue, This time, Alexel couldn’t save her.
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Chapter 194
“Keira! Keira, wake up!”
Strong hands shook her shoulders, pulling her from the nightmare. She came up swinging, fists connecting with solid muscle before she even opened
her eyes.
“Don’t touch me!” she gasped, scrambling backward on the bed.
“It’s me,” Alexei’s voice cut through her panic. “Keira, it’s me. You’re safe.”
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She blinked, the familiar outline of his face slowly coming into focus in the dim light. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, hands raised peacefully, a red mark on his jaw where she’d caught him.
“Alexei?” Her voice cracked.
“You were screaming,” he said gently. “I came in through the balcony, and you were-”
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“They took me.” The words tumbled out before she could stop them. “In the dream, they took me away from you, and I couldn’t… my family didn’t matter, the money didn’t matter. They were going to-”
Her voice broke completely. Alexei moved carefully, gathering her into his arms. She didn’t fight him this time, collapsing against his chest as sobs wracked her body.
“It was just a dream,” he murmured, stroking her hair. “Just a nightmare. You’re safe now.”
“Why now?” she gasped between tears. “Why am I only dreaming about it now? I was fine. I handled it. I was strong. I was doing so well.”
“You were incredible,” Alexei agreed, his voice soft. “But Keira, this is the first real sleep you’ve had since it happened. You’ve been running on adrenaline and caffeine for days.”
She pulled back to look at him, tears still streaming down her face. “What do you mean?”
“Think about it… You haven’t had a full night’s sleep. On the plane, you were exhausted and maybe too exhausted to dream…” He cupped her face gently. “This is the first time you’ve let your guard down enough to truly sleep. Sometimes the mind waits for safety before it processes trauma.”
The explanation made sense, them-”
but it didn’t make the terror any less real. “It felt so real. They had guns, and you couldn’t move, and I couldn’t convince
“But you did convince them,” Alexei reminded her firmly. “In reality, you saved yourself with your quick thinking about your family’s wealth. You were brilliant under pressure.”
“But what if I hadn’t been? What if-”
“But you were.” He pulled her closer, pressing his lips to her temple. “You were brave and smart and strong. The nightmare isn’t real, Keira. What’s real is that we’re here, safe and together.”
She clung to him, breathing in his familiar scent, letting his solid presence chase away the lingering terror of the dream. Gradually, her breathing steadied, though tears still slipped down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry I hit you,” she whispered against his chest
“I’ve had worse from you when you were fully awake… granted not your fist, but your tongue,” he said dryly, earning a watery laugh from her.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, Alexei’s hands running soothingly through her hair.
“Will you stay?” she asked quietly.
“Try to make me leave,” he replied, already settling back against the pillows and pulling her with him. “But tonight, you need to sleep, and I’ll be here.”
Keira curled against his side, her head on his chest where she could hear his steady heartbeat. She needed this… Him holding her.
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Chapter 194
“Thank you.”
“Go to sleep… I’ll hold you all night. You are safe I promise.”
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