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His voice was low and rich, soft-spoken, like he didn’t want to spook me. He set the tray gently in my lap, grabbing a napkin and setting it over my chest so I could eat without worrying about spilling. What little of the apartment I’d seen had been very nice, and I felt guilty just lying in the bed knowing how dirty I was.
After a few failed attempts at feeding myself, Viktor eventually took over. The medicine and the pain made it too difficult to do on my own. He didn’t seem bothered by it, sitting on the edge of the bed and spoon feeding me. I was embarrassed about the whole situation, but like before, I was relying on him to survive.
The soup was warm and soothing, with cabbage, meat, and a lot of seasoning. It was the most delicious thing I’d had in months and I finished the entire bowl. After I’d finished, Viktor disappeared into the bathroom and came back with a washcloth, gently wiping my face. He was careful around the bruises, but it still stung. He grimaced when I did, shaking his head slowly.
“I am sorry, ?????.”
My brow furrowed. He called me that before, but I didn’t think I’d ever heard my grandmother use it. She wasn’t big on terms of endearment. She was a strict woman who would feed you until you felt like popping and demand you go outside and play, no matter the weather. I didn’t have the nerve to ask him what he meant, though, and he didn’t look like he’d volunteer the explanation. He took the tray away, and I could hear him moving through the apartment before he came back with water and some pills in his hand.
“You are in pain. These will help. They may make you tired, but–”
I shook my head. I didn’t want to be more tired than I already was. As much as I appreciated his help, I didn’t want to stay here any longer than I had to. I didn’t want someone here to let it slip that a woman who matched my description was living here. I missed being around people sometimes, but the fewer people knew about me, the better.
Viktor frowned at me. “I can tell you are thinking of leaving. You can’t yet. It is not safe. We need to handle the men who hurt you first.”
Handle. That was a term I was familiar with and it scared the hell out of me. I shrank away from him, my hands clutching the blanket on my lap. He made a face like he was annoyed before shaking his head at me.
“You are in no danger. This building is secure, and no one here wants to hurt you. You did us a kindness, and we do not take that lightly.”
Gabi said something similar, but I didn’t see it that way. I sent a video, that’s all. It probably wasn’t even a good video. It wasn’t like I could get close or anything.
“You don’t believe me.”
I’d dropped my gaze to my hands, but I looked up, startled, at his resigned tone. A muscle twitched in his jaw and for a moment, I thought maybe I’d made him angry, but he sat beside me and took my hand, giving me a serious look.
“The men you took the video of, their intention was to betray us. Had they succeeded, the people I cared about would have been killed. You prevented that. Their target, Dmitriy, he got to go home to his pregnant wife because of you.”
I frowned. I didn’t know that.
He continued, his thumb stroking my knuckles. “I can see it in your eyes that you are afraid. I assure you that you are safe here. Everyone in this building would walk through fire for you. And it is important that you stay. At least until we can find those responsible. It is not safe for you to be out there alone.”
I didn’t want to. It felt safer to be outside where I could stay hidden, but… He seemed so sincere and there was a pleading in his eyes. I worried that I’d regret it later, but eventually I gave in, nodding my head. I’d stay a few days at least, for the heat to die down. Then I’d disappear again. Anything to stay out of sight.
ChapterSeven
I’d always beensomething of a night owl, so once I was up, it was hard to go back to sleep. Viktor eventually convinced me to take the pain meds, and that was what worked for me. They put me out, and I had a dreamless sleep for the first time in months. When I woke up, he was still sitting in the chair next to me, his eyes shut and posture relaxed, his fingers laced across his stomach with his chin against his chest. I studied him for a minute, the morning sunlight finally giving me a good look.
Since the first time we’d met, I’d only ever spent time with him when it was dark. It blocked out a lot of his features and made him look intimidating. Now that the sun was out, I could see his face better, and he wasn’t as scary as I thought. His light brown hair was buzzed short, drawing attention to his square jaw covered in a light amount of stubble. He had a long, straight nose and full lips. His face always looked serious, even in his sleep. His features would make me think Russian without having to hear the heavy accent in his voice. He wore a suit all the times I’d seen him, but right now he looked relaxed, the tie loosened, top two buttons undone, and the jacket tossed over the back of his chair. The position itself didn’t look very comfortable for someone his size. Someone that big probably shouldn’t have been sleeping in a chair.
I was still studying him when the door opened with a light knock and Gabi peeked her head inside. When she noticed me awake, she smiled, but before she could speak, I shook my head quickly and pointed at Viktor. I had no idea how late he stayed up, and I didn’t want to wake him. Gabi seemed to understand, tiptoeing around Viktor to peek at him. A soft smile overtook her face, and she kept her voice just above a whisper as she leaned closer to me.
“Are you hungry?”
Always. I was always hungry. But with a decent night's sleep and pain meds, I was hyper aware of the state I was in and I didn’t want to spend time with people all day knowing I smelled so terrible.
“I think… I’d like a shower.”
She pursed her lips, nodding. “We’re working on that. A friend of mine is a nursing student. She agreed to come over and help with that part. She’s got classes this morning, so for now, let’s get some food in you. Sean said he’d come over this morning to check on you, too, so we’ve got that to look forward to.”
I didn’t like the idea of meeting all those people while I was this dirty, but I didn’t really feel like I had the choice. I dropped my eyes to my hands, nodding along with Gabi’s breakfast suggestions. She could’ve offered boiled shoe, and I still would’ve accepted.
“Why is she looking like that?”
Viktor’s low growl broke through the whispers and I jerked my head up to look at him. Bright blue eyes were narrowed on me, his brow furrowed. Gabi turned to face him with a frown.
“Like what?”
“Like she is sad. What did you say to her?”
