Panic bleeds through me, the emotion foreign. I have no control over what Hailey decides, not with Alexei standing behind her. I understand why he’s protecting her, and I’m thankful for it. I fucked up, and he’s cleaning up the mess. Alexei knows I love Hailey, and that means he’ll watch over her for the rest of her life. I would do the same for the woman he loves.
