Bryan held my hand as we walked through the gym. I kept my head down so I wouldn’t look at anyone like Bryan had said. Some of them stopped and I could feel their eyes on us.
Alright, well I clearly hadn’t thought this out when I asked to come along. I wasn’t sure I would be able to do anything around all these people. I might look like a silly girl. And what if bringing me here had somehow disrespected them. Perhaps I should have asked if it was a good idea instead of making Bryan feel guilty if he said no.
“You okay, princess?”
I squeaked out some sort of answer.
“Hey, biker’s woman,” someone said and made my head snap up.
That voice tickled something in the back of my mind. I was sure I had heard it before.
He gave me an oddly warming smile.
“You look better than the last time I saw you.”
Oh! He was the man that helped me after I got out of the window. The one that put me in the car and took me to the compound. I felt bad that I hadn’t thanked him. I didn’t even know his name.
And before I could think better of it, I was throwing my arms around his neck.
“Thank you,” I said as I felt tears sting my eyes.
He gave me one good squeeze then patted my back.
“Sorry,” I mumbled as I stepped back. I hoped I hadn’t crossed some kind of line here. “I just… I’m very grateful you were there and helped me and everything.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bryan shaking his head with a smile on his face and I knew it was alright.
“Why is your woman assaulting my men?” another man asked as he walked over to us. He was big and looked as if he had a permanent scowl etched into his face. But there was something in his tone that almost made me think he was trying to joke.
I started to cower away. And instantly I hated it.
No. I wasn’t going to let these men walk all over me no matter how big or how scary they seemed.
Bryan had basically told me to stay quiet and be as invisible as possible, but that wasn’t who I wanted to be.
So I stood up straight and looked the second man in the eyes.
“I meant no disrespect. I was just thanking this man here for saving me,” I said calmly.
“Vladik,” the second one said.
“I’m sorry what?” Was that like some weird Russian sneeze?
“His name. Vladik.”
“Oh. Well, thank you, Vladik.” I turned my attention to him then.
“No problem. I did not really do much.” He gave a half-shrug but I could see the smile in his eyes.
“I’m Andrei, if anyone cared to know.”
I let out a laugh because this time Iknewhe was joking.
“I was going to show Laurel some moves. I hope that’s okay,” Bryan said speaking for the first time.
Andrei eyed me for a long time.
I did my best not to shrink under his gaze.
