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"At least promise me you’ll stay in HQ until they arrive" He leaned close and kissed her neck, then whispered, "Do it for your handso, she said, "I pro as you stay with ood reason to stay in bed until I squash The Mosquito?"

She drew back, and desire burned in her gaze "What’s the reason?"

"Me taking care of you until you’re out of breath and a puddle inyourbed rest" He nibbled on her earlobe

"Oh, h opinion of hie?"

"Oh, yes! Shohat you can do, and I’ll consider your request"

He grinned "Accepted"

Not giving her time to reply, Valek pulled her to their bedroo A few bloody scrapes marked her back and a number of bruises peppered her are that The Mosquito would soon be crushed

Valek scooped her up and laid her on the bed, then kissed her for a long rabbed her hands "This is for you, love"

"Exactly Now strip"

He peeled off the tight garaze never left her Once divested of his clothing, he joined her on the bed He trailed kisses down her neck Valek had been convinced he’d lost her when she hadn’t returned from her mission, and he planned to savor this tiasping, and he gave her three very good reasons to stay in bed

She stretched like a cat and curled up next to hiaze "You’re really worried about the bounty onher side with a finger Purple bruises ringed the bright red line "I know you can handle an assassin" He quirked a s of wannabe bounty hunters could coht, I’ll stay in HQ until you’ve dealt with The Mosquito," she proht lifted froainst hi black hair back fro to keep her and the baby safe co the consequences of his actions and no hesitation

Valek had once felt the sas for the Commander, but not anymore Even if the Coical hold on hier return to that place of blind loyalty His new , of course However, that would just be an excuse No Yelena meant more to him than his own life and happiness, and much more than the Commander’s

Valek woke a few hours later and slid fro his wife An autoht of Yelena as his wife Not e, and even feere aware of the baby, but the fact that they had exchanged vows continued to thrill hiest tourna down one level, Valek stopped in Fisk’s office The stark roo leader of the Helper’s Guild bent over his desk The fingers of his right hand ran through his light brown hair, leaving behind rows of spikes, while his left clutched a stylus He frowned at a sheet of parchment spread over the desk

Valek tapped on the open door, and Fisk glanced up Dark sht brown eyes The poor boy appeared years older than seventeen

"When’s the last time you slept?" Valek asked