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But most importantly, I knew he was a good man if Viktor trusted him to protect me.
Yegor raised a dark eyebrow and gave me a funny look. He said something, but he was too far for me to catch the words spilling from his lips.
I saw him sigh and then he stood up, walking closer to the bed. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, yet I still felt something inside my stomach. A deep-rooted apprehension. Fear.
The presence of any man made me anxious, and I couldn’t help the fidgeting. My hand nervously rubbed my thigh and I scratched over my dress, while my other hand clenched the knitting needle. Yegor noticed, and he stalled. He cocked his head to the side, his eyes slightly squinting as he studied me from a safe distance.
“I don’t want you scared of me.”
This time, I was able to read his lips clearly when he spoke.
I shook my head sharply, forcing myself to stop fidgeting. I straightened my shoulders and leveled him with a look, trying to look confident. Strong. If only I had that power against Valentin.
“Viktor would rip my throat apart if I even think of hurting you. But that’s not my point. We are on the same side, Valerie.”
Are we?
I kept silent, waiting for him to continue. The past seven years had taught me not to trust anyone.
Except him.
Viktor had been able to break through my shielded heart, and it was pure magic. There was no other way to describe how he had done it. I used to fear men. Men like Viktor Ivanshov. The outlaws. The men of the underworld. Rich, dark, deadly, and vicious. And my dark knight was the worst of them. A feral animal on the loose. But he wore his brutality under his skin. He rarely showed the cold-blooded man lurking underneath his cool, laid-back exterior.
It was a coincidental meeting. Fate played a trick on us, and I prayed…desperately prayed to the Higher Powers that we wouldn’t end up with a broken love story.
A cold hand on my arm pulled me away from my thoughts, and I physically flinched away from the unfamiliar touch.
A rock settled over my lungs, constricting my chest, and a throbbing pain slithered through me. My heartbeat ripped through my ribcage, and I felt each pump in my neck, hearing the harsh beats in my ears.
My head snapped up, and I stared at Yegor’s dark ones. He held both hands up and took a step away from my bed, looking quite apologetic.
I fought the urge to scream at him, hating how he just made me feel. Terror. I hated it. Hated feeling so weak, so lost.
“I didn’t mean to touch you. Sorry about that.”
Taking a deep breath, I felt the constricting band release from around my chest. Inhale. Exhale.
Yegor continued to apologize. “You seemed lost in your thoughts and didn’t hear me when I called out.”
I shrugged, keeping a cautious eye on him. Now, he appeared anxious, restlessly moving his weight from one leg to the other. Waiting to see what else he’d say, I gave him an impatient look.
With keen eyes, I watched him swallow, open his mouth once and close it again. He brought a hand up and rubbed the back of his neck. His lips were pressed together, and he looked a little conflicted. I couldn’t quite catch the blush, his cocoa skin hiding it, but I was sure it was there. Yegor appeared almost bashful in this moment.
“Umm…”
Now, he was running his fingers through his hair.
I silently mouthed, what is it?
Yegor was taken aback by my silent words, and his eyes widened. He sucked in a harsh breath and stared at me, shock masking his face.
I found myself less shocked. Yes, there was still a sense of uneasiness deep inside me from his presence. He was a stranger, a man who could likely hurt me, and I would be completely helpless. He was twice my size and strength.
Yet…
Viktor trusted him. With my safety. He left me in Yegor’s care.
That should mean something.
Yegor seemed to be clearing his throat, and then he tried again, finding courage in my silent words. I guessed we were both trying.
“Do you want to play chess?”
I blinked in surprise and then blinked again. Chess? Play chess? With him?
“Do you know how?” he continued before nodding toward where he was sitting before. That was when I noticed the chess board, sitting on the small table next to the single armchair.
I quickly looked back at him, just in time to catch his next sentence. “I thought maybe we could do something…fun. To pass time.”
He stood there, a sheepish look on his face.
I was tempted to say no, to send him away. I’d rather be alone, like every other time. It was weird, having someone giving me attention and wanting to spend time with me.
