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She threw her head back and laughed. “Are you sure you want to be responsible for the sheer number of heart attacks you will cause with those kinds of shenanigans? You know ol’ Edith has a pacemaker. She can’t handle that kind of excitement.”
“That’s fair.” I chuckled as I leaned down to give her a hug. She might’ve been old, but her frame gave the impression that she was lean and strong in her prime. And she could still give the best hugs. Ms. Jackson was quick to befriend me when I first moved into the apartment. I think she knew I was nothing more than a lost little girl and I’ll forever be grateful that she took pity on me and helped me find myself.
“Now. You go to him. I know you’re going away for a little bit. I heard them talking when they thought I couldn’t understand them. It’s for your safety and I agree. The man they’re looking for is not a good man and if he’s the one who gave you that masterpiece on your neck, then they need to find him before I do.”
“I’ll come back to check on you. I’ll have to take you back to the store next week, too.”
“Don’t you worry about me, child. I may be old, but I’m still resourceful. You stay safe and you let those men protect you. I know you like to argue, but you listen to them when it counts, you hear me. I can see it on the face of every single one of them. They love you and will die trying to protect you, so you let them.”
I chuckled, “Well, maybe not Ivan. He looks at me like he’s trying to burn holes through my soul.”
“You don’t know Russian men, honey. That bear of a man would do anything you asked, especially after you stitched him up. He’s putty in your hands. You just can’t put up with his shit.”
“Well, I can’t say I believe you on that one. I’m still heavily under the impression that he would rather murder me himself.”
“Give it time. You’ll see I’m right. Your mother blessed you with the name of a queen. It’s time you stepped into that role.”
After helping her put away the rest of her groceries, I closed her apartment door behind me. I was lost in thought as I turned to find Adrik waiting, just like he had promised. He was standing just past the breezeway, smoking, and on the phone. When he saw me, he put out his cigarette and extended his arm to me. I walked over to him, allowing him to wrap him arm around my waist. Still on the phone, he kissed the top of my head as I rested my head against his shoulder.
I felt his body tense and suddenly his words had a deadly tone to them. I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but I knew it wasn’t good. He was normally soft-spoken, but he raised his voice while talking to the person on the other end. All while he gently twirled my curls in his free hand. I had to chuckle at the absurdity of this man probably threatening someone’s life while playing with my hair like he wasn’t threatening someone’s life.
He abruptly ended the call and looked down at me.
“I’m sorry, solnishko. Business,” he sighed as he put his phone away.
I smiled at him, and his body immediately relaxed. “No need to apologize. It wasn’t my life you were threatening just then.”
His breath caught. He pulled me so I was standing in front of him and held me close. His eyes scanned my face and my hair for several moments. I thought back to what Ms. Jackson had just told me as his looks softened the longer we stood like that. I smiled at him. I liked seeing his face soften.
“I will never tire of your beautiful smile,” he said as he brushed my hair back from face, placing it behind my shoulders. “Nor your amazing hair.” His hands ran down my back, giving me goosebumps. He looked deeply into my eyes as he held me securely against him. “You look extra beautiful today.”
“It’s all the eye candy I’m surrounded by. It’s beauty by default,” I laughed.
“Your neighbor is a very interesting woman,” his thumbs rubbing my lower back as he held me close.
“Oh, you have no idea.”
He cocked his head slightly and looked at me inquisitively. I laughed again, “You’ll have to ask her. It’s not my story to tell.”
He chuckled, “Whatever it is, I’m grateful that it allows me to see your smile.”
I felt my cheeks flush, but instead of looking down like usual, I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek in a moment of unbridled bravery.
“I owe Ms. Jackson a thank you, clearly,” he said, wrapping his arms around me.
“I owe you a thank you for taking Ms. Jackson to the store today. I know it was not part of your plan for the day but thank you.”
“Of course. I want to make sure you are safe. Always. Now come, we should leave,” he broke the embrace and took my hand, leading me up the stairs to my apartment. “You should grab a few things. I don’t know how long you’ll be gone.”
Chapter Eight
Sephie
Adrik left me to gather a few things while he went to speak with Viktor in the living room. I could hear their hushed voices as I stood in the middle of my bedroom, trying to decide what to do. I was feeling very conflicted. On one hand, I felt completely safe with a man who was basically a stranger, and also the king of the underworld. On the other hand, was I really going to allow him to take me away from my life? I knew it wasn’t much, but I had worked hard to build my little life I was living. I went from having absolutely nothing when I left my old life to being able to take care of myself all on my own. I didn’t have many friends, but the ones I did have, I cherished. If I left now, would I ever see them again? Would I ever be able to make my own decisions again? Was he taking me somewhere to lock me in the proverbial ivory tower, never to be seen again?
I thought back to Ms. Jackson’s words from earlier. “It’s for your safety and I agree. The man they’re looking for is not a good man.” I shook my head, trying to make sense of everything that was happening. “I know you like to argue, but you listen to them when it counts, you hear me. I can see it on the face of every single one of them. They love you and will die trying to protect you, so you let them.”
Ugh, why does my life always have to be so difficult? I exhaled and went to my closet to grab a bag. Just a few things. Just a few days. Then I can come back. They’ll find Anthony and I’ll be able to come back. It’ll be fine. I can do this.
