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“And you just arrived back from Chicago, I assume?”
He nods, confirming the fact he’s lacking sleep—as if his worn face and hazy eyes didn’t already give it away. “I drove out there and picked her up last night. Bad area, bad place. A real dump the kid was living in,” he reveals, pained by the truth it seems. “I figured she would be better off staying here than at that fucking school with them looking for her now.”
An alarm sounds in mind. “Someone is after the girl?”
“Yes,” he replies, displeased. “An incident went down at the school. A boy—” he grunts, looking as if he wants to say no more.
A sudden streak of anger courses through my blood, forcing me to destroy the thought of going down to the kitchen right now to confirm that little girl is quite alright.
Where is this coming from?
I don’t have children, let alone a single niece or nephew running around. But when it comes to Tessa, just the thought of someone out there thinking they could harm such a princess…it’s driving me up a fucking wall.
“I’ll tell you what, Vik,” David says lightly, stalling my anger. “Irina would be proud of her girl. Tessa is shy; she didn’t bother to say a word the entire drive here, but from what I’ve heard, she did a number on that kid at school. And it sounds like he deserved it.”
David looks at me, and right then and there I can see the rage I feel reflected in his stare.
“That boy didn’t—”
“No, I don’t think so,” he cuts in, aware of the direction I was heading. “But she doesn’t seem to want to talk about it either way. When I arrived in Chicago, her roommate only said it was bad and that Tessa came home pretty shaken up. Thought she might have broken a wrist, but it seems to just be sprained. They didn’t want to report the incident since that asshole comes from money, so.”
He doesn’t need to explain. Neither of us came from money, and we’re well aware of how that privilege plays out. What you can get away with...
It’s just part of what drew us to the Bratva—revenge without rules. Doing more by going further than the authorities ever can and will.
“Sounds like she’s one of us,” I mutter, and David smirks bitterly, but sighs. “And I do think it’s best she stays here for now,” I add, reassuring him.
“I know,” he agrees, eyes low.
“I’ll find a way to occupy her time, keeping the girl out of anything…incriminating,” I muse, though it’s a promise, nonetheless.
The rain is now starting to pour down, filling the office with an angry, drumming sound. My heart thumps along with the disjointed beat as part of me reaches to feel Tessa—aware she’s somewhere around, listening to the same constant rhythm as I am…
“I’ll work on figuring something out,” David utters, breaking my thoughts apart. “She doesn’t seem to take to me, as she’s hardly said a word. Not sure what Irina told the kid—but fair enough, I suppose. When I find something suitable for her though, I’ll be back. But until then…just keep the girl safe, would you?”
There’s a hidden strength behind his request, and I give him my word. We shake hands, bringing me to recall our thumbs bear matching scars from the time we got caught picking pockets back at home.How far we’ve come from those days.
“She will be here when you’re ready,” I nod, taking a step back. “And don’t worry, she’s safe.”
David looks to have faith in my words, just as he should. I’ve never given him a reason not to, and considering he’s here right now, I know he’s out of options.
With a calm look, he walks away, exiting through the open door while knowing it’s not a false promise I’ve given him.
Tessa is safe with me.
2
TESSA
I lay in bed awake, ears wide open. This place my uncle has brought me to isginormousand old, but must be well-kept as with the rain beating down, there’s little creaking or shuddering going on.
In Chicago, the dorms on campus were always surrounded by sound. I’m used to constant noise, so even if I wasn’t on edge like I am tonight, I’d still have a hard enough time falling asleep.
It’s quiet in here.Too quiet.
On the nightstand next to my bed, a small clock rests. Not a digital one, but an older version with hands that make me have to squint in the dark just to read it.
It’s almost one in the morning.
