Chapter Sixty Nine.

Chapter Sixty Nine.

Xena stirred awake, her lashes fluttering as the soft morning light filtered through the curtains. The first thing she registered was the warmth surrounding her… then the strong, firm grip around her waist.

Her brows furrowed slightly in confusion, and as her eyes opened fully, her vision landed on a bare, muscular chest—broad, warm, rising and falling steadily with each breath.

Her heart skipped. Viktor.

He was still asleep, his arm wrapped tightly around her, as if his body refused to let her go even in unconsciousness.

She tilted her head slowly, gazing up at his face. His features were relaxed in sleep, making him look younger, softer… less dangerous.

But still just as breathtaking.

She stared for a few moments, her throat tightening with something she didn’t want to name.

Then she swallowed hard and shifted slightly, attempting to slip out from his hold without waking him.

Just as she began to rise, his grip tightened.

“Where are you going?” His voice, low and thick with sleep, rumbled against her. His eyes remained closed, but there was a small smirk tugging at his lips.

Xena froze, blinking rapidly. “I… I need to use the bathroom,” she whispered.

That made him open his eyes.

Sharp, clear.

And they didn’t meet hers first—they traveled downward.

She followed his gaze—and her breath caught in her throat.

The silk nightdress clung to her skin, the thin straps having slipped down slightly during sleep. The neckline had dipped lower than it should have, revealing the swell of her cleavage.

Her eyes widened in panic and she immediately pushed his hand away, stumbling off the bed and grabbing the robe nearby.

She yanked it on quickly, tying it with urgency as heat crept up her neck.

Behind her, Viktor had pushed himself up lazily, sitting on the edge of the bed. His hair was tousled and messy.

She dared a glance at him—and he caught it instantly.

“You like what you see?” he asked, voice husky, that cocky smirk playing on his lips.

Xena’s eyes darted away, flustered. She mumbled something incoherent and rushed into the bathroom, shutting the door a little too fast behind her.

Once inside, she leaned against the door, exhaling shakily.

Her heart was thudding. Hard.

She closed her eyes and tried to steady her breathing, but the images came rushing in—Anya falling from the gunshot, Marco’s men, as he dragged her away. Her throat tightened, and she gripped the sink edge for support.

“Anya… please be okay.” she whispered, her voice cracking.

She splashed water on her face, the cold droplets grounding her a little. After brushing her teeth and fixing her hair, she finally opened the door again.

And froze.

Viktor was standing just outside, leaning against the wall, arms folded.

His eyes lifted to meet hers immediately, intense and unreadable.

“G-Good morning,” she said quickly, startled by his proximity.

He stepped forward without hesitation and pulled her to him, wrapping an arm around her waist.

“Good morning, little fire,” he murmured, his tone gentler now. “Did you sleep well?”

Xena gave a small nod, avoiding his eyes.

But then she looked up. “How’s Anya?”

The change in his face was instant. The soft warmth vanished. His jaw clenched, eyes clouding with something unreadable.

Anger?

He pulled away slightly, just enough to take a step back.

“Get yourself ready,” he said, his voice now clipped. “i will send in breakfast for you.”

He turned to leave, but Xena’s hand shot out and grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

“Wait,” she said softly.

He paused, not turning yet.

“Please… I need to know. She helped me. She got hurt because of me, Viktor. I—”

He turned then, his expression hard.

“She got hurt because she was careless, she knew i have enemies everywhere.” he said, low and cold. “It’s not your fault, Xena. Don’t put that on yourself.”

Her fingers loosened around his wrist.

He looked at her for a long second, then added, a little softer, “Get dressed.” then head towards the door.

“Viktor,” her voice called again, this time gentler, almost shy.

He paused at the door and looked back.

Xena’s gaze softened. “Thank you… for coming.”

And with that, he walked out.

Xena stood there, her hand still slightly raised, heart heavy, eyes stinging—but this time, she didn’t cry.

She just stood still, trying to make sense of this strange morning.

That Marco guy. The deal.

Her heart caught somewhere between fear and something else—something she didn’t have a name for yet.

She slowly walked toward the closet, her fingers brushing over the new clothes that had been laid out for her.

A soft pale blouse and comfortable leggings, nothing too flashy. Viktor must’ve picked them.

She changed slowly, her movements delicate, every part of her still stiff from yesterday.

After dressing, she sat in front of the mirror, brushing her hair in silence. The image looking back at her didn’t feel like her.

Marco had stripped something from her. Not her dignity—not her pride—but something quieter. Her sense of safety.

But Viktor… he had returned some of it. With his arms. With his presence.

With that look in his eyes that made her feel like maybe… maybe she wasn’t completely broken.

A gentle knock came at the door. Then Zoya peeked in.

“Good morning, Xena” she said softly. “Sir asked me to bring you breakfast.”

Xena nodded. “Come in.”

Zoya walked in with a tray—fresh toast, eggs, fruit, and a steaming cup of chamomile tea.

“Sir made sure the tea was the calming kind.” Zoya said with a tiny smile as she set the tray down.

Xena’s lips curled into a faint, tired smile. “Thank you, Zoya.”

As Zoya stepped back toward the door, she hesitated, then said, “You’re safe here, ma’am. We all care about you. Especially Sir… I’ve never seen him like this with anyone.”

Xena looked at her, something unreadable in her expression. “I don’t know what I am to him,” she said honestly. “Sometimes I feel like a person… sometimes a possession. It’s confusing.”

Zoya’s smile didn’t falter. “Maybe you’re a little of both.”

Then she left quietly, leaving Xena with that thought lingering in the air.

She stared down at the food, not sure if she even had the appetite to eat.

But she forced herself to take a bite. She needed strength.

Because if there was one thing she knew for sure—it wasn’t over yet.

Not with Marco still out there.

Especially now she know, what life she is deep into. Thanks to Viktor.

And not with her own emotions tangled in a man who burned with fury for her… and maybe something more.