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My tone is more convincing this time, but Viktor still doesn’t buy it. “You’re not.” He takes my hands in his. “Is it the shooting?”
“It’s silly. I’m okay.” I feel silly, but I know the truth. Nothing I’m experiencing is silly. I have the night terrors to prove it, but once again, it’s my burden, not Viktor’s.
I suck in a harsh breath when Viktor murmurs, “For better or for worst. I meant those words, baby girl.”
As I exhale the air that replenished my lungs, I confess, “I guess a part of me is still scared. The man who shot me is still out there, and I’m worried I can’t defend myself.”
“You don’t have to defend yourself. That’smyjob.”
“But that’s part of the issue. I don’t want to be the damsel in distress. I want to be able to defend myself.”
When I hiccup through my last words, he pulls me onto his lap and wraps me in his strong arms. The kitchen is filled with silence, but it is more comforting than confronting. He’s worried, which is why I didn’t want to tell him. After everything, he doesn’t need this on his plate.
After a few more minutes of silence, he asks, “What can I do to help you?”
I’m surprised by his question. Usually, he takes control, no questions asked.
I ponder his question for a moment. “Teach me how to shoot a gun. I want to learn how to fight.”
I’m surprised by how easily the answers arrived but even more shocked by how rapidly Viktor approves them. “Your wish is my command.”
“You’re a good man and husband.”
“I know…” He wiggles his brows like our conversation is nowhere near as serious as it is. “The very best.”
“What am I going to do with you?”
His reply squeezes my heart. “Love me until we’re old and gray.”
“Are you getting romantic on me?”
“Never.” He winks before nudging his head to the stairs. “Let’s go to bed. The kids will be up in a few hours.”
Now that I’ve confessed my fear, I know Viktor will help me conquer it. He won’t let my fears hold me frozen, and I won’t let his do the same to him either. We are in this together.
ChapterSeven
Oliver
It’s been almost two weeks since Ava was shot. I’ve been turning over every rock in the city for information ever since, but there’s been radio silence. Every lead we get turns into nothing, and of course, the cops are useless.
I pull up to Eros, where Angus is waiting to review everything again to make sure we didn’t miss anything.
“Hey,” I stroll inside the makeshift command center Angus is manning.
“How’s she doing?” he asks, his Scottish accent more understandable.
“Still shaken. Anything new?” I scan my eyes over what he’s reviewing. There are schematics of the hotel where Ava was shot and maps of the surrounding areas spread across the chipped tabletop. “What are you looking for?”
“Tracing the shooter’s possible steps. He didn’t just vanish.”
Crossing my arms, I scan everything on the table again.What are we missing?
When I don’t find anything obvious, I ask, “What are you thinking?”
Angus points to the possible routes the shooter could have taken. He reviewed the hotel surveillance and found nothing. It’s like the shooter disappeared into thin air, which is impossible.
“So, we have nothing?” I push out, frustrated.
