Keeping my Mafia Husband 의 모든 챕터: 챕터 61 - 챕터 70

I swallow just as Aleksei stirs.Without thinking, I shove past Katya and hurry to his side. She isn’t who I need to hear from. It’s Aleksei. Only Aleksei.He loves me. He has to.My mind scrambles, grasping for solid ground. We’re married. Maybe it didn’t start with love, but it’s here now. I know it is.I take his hand in both of mine, squeezing as if I can pour all my certainty into him. Katya shifts, trying to climb back onto the bed, and I glare at her.“Why the hell won’t you listen?”She scoffs. “When you listen,” she shoots back, shameless as ever.Aleksei’s mouth works a few times, no sound at first. I think he’s thirsty, then he whispers, “Katya.”I freeze. My fingers go still around his.“What… what did you say?” I ask, not because I didn’t hear, but because I don’t believe it.Katya grins like she’s already won.Aleksei’s eyes crack open, glassy, unfocused. But when they land, they land on me. “Katya?”“I’m right here,” she answers immediately, leaning closer.His gaze shi

My head throbs. Somewhere through the haze, someone calls my name.“Claire.”A strong shake pulls me toward consciousness. Warmth presses at my back, a wide, solid chest cradling me in strong arms. Aleksei! My mind leaps, my eyes fly open.Grey eyes stare down at me. Not Aleksei. Niko.I blink, dazed, struggling to connect thought with reality. Then memory slips in, the stairs, Pavel’s fury, the shove.“Fuck,” Niko mutters, tugging me tighter against his chest. “I leave you for five minutes.”“What happened?” I had to clear my throat, my eyes glancing upward, the chandelier lights blurring overhead, the railing too far above. How did I end up on the ground? Then the memory slams back harder, clearer. Pavel, charging, rage in his eyes. I tense, try to push myself upright, but my head spins violently.“Don’t move,” Niko orders, firm hand on my arm. He exhales, shifting his grip. A moment later, he lifts me into his hold effortlessly. “Let’s get you to your room.”I try to turn my head,

As soon as I can move without trouble, I head for the lift. Niko catches my arm as I jab the button.“Where are you going?” he asks.“Where else?” I glare at him. “I want to see Aleksei. I was hurt and he didn’t even come. What kind of asshole move is that?”Niko’s lips twitch. Maybe my expression is funny to him. I stare at his mouth, surprised by the almost-smile. He doesn’t keep it for long, just shakes his head and drops his hand. “If the Zver wants to see you, he’ll send for you.”That snaps my thoughts straight. “I’m not one of his goons. I know what he does, and he doesn’t scare me. I’m going up there.”“I’ll just drag you back down again.”I snort. “You can try, but this time I’m not giving up.”“Damn it, Claire, at least wait until you’re not so obviously battered.” His eyes flick to my crown of bandages. My hand rises there too, and I scowl.“I’m perfectly fine,” I say.“Sure you are. You didn’t just wince right now.” His palm settles against my back, steering me toward my r

“I have no idea.”I double take. “What?” A dry laugh slips out. “Then why did you say you’d answer my questions?”“It is an answer.” His brow creases faintly.“You don’t know. That’s your answer.”“I don’t have any business sticking my nose into Zver’s personal life.”“I don’t believe you.” I lift my chin, arms crossing tight against my chest. “You’re the closest person in his life.”A small smile plays on his lips. “You’re not completely hopeless.”I jerk back. “You think I’m hopeless?”He shrugs easily, like the matter’s self-explanatory. If the shoe fits.Heat floods my cheeks. I want to tell him he knows nothing, but then I remember, he’s seen me at my lowest, my most humiliating moments. He probably has a very low opinion of me. And who knows how many times he’s caught me in awkward situations without me realizing? He blends so seamlessly into the background. The man knows too much. And apparently thinks I’m hopeless.“You don’t have to worry about Zver.” Niko rises to his feet,

"I don't care," I say, but there's no conviction in my voice. Of course I care. Who would be okay knowing the man they love is still in love with someone else? But these two weeks since meeting Aleksei have opened my narrow world and brightened it. I can't just pack my things and give up. We just haven't had enough time together. Eventually, when we leave this house, this place, we'll be able to know each other more and love will bloom. It will."Okay, fine. I see you want to continue in denial. Suit yourself, but don't blame me for what I do next. I am not about to lose him to you, Claire, and even if it's a long route, you will eventually get out of the picture. You know you don't fit." She eyes my body. "Almost literally." A cruel laugh escapes, and she continues laughing as she walks away.With her presence gone, a strange heaviness fills my limbs. I almost collapse on the ground but stagger backward and let out a breath instead. The lake blurs through sudden tears. Katya is a for