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“I… I don’t have a family. They… They died a few years ago and–” I choked on the lump in my throat, turning my head away. I never liked saying it out loud, and it hurt to think about.
I heard movement, but I was too busy holding back tears to look at him until the bed dipped beside me and his arm settled around my shoulders. Strong fingers grasped my chin, turning my face back to his. My chin trembled, and I hated myself just a little bit. I shouldn’t still be crying about this. It’s been years.
“?????…”
ChapterThirteen
I kept waitingfor him to figure it out. No doubt, my ex had the word out looking for me. If they put the pieces together, they’d be able to match me to him. It was only a matter of time. But Viktor didn’t say anything about it. He just held me, one big hand cupping my face. I grabbed his forearm to keep him there, shutting my eyes against the pain that came every time I remembered my parents were gone. Most days, I could put it in the back of my mind, but when it hit me, it felt fresh and new every single time.
“I am sorry, ?????. How long ago did you lose them?”
I shook my head. That was too much detail. If he hadn’t figured it out by now, I didn't want to offer more clues that my past might give. He didn’t force me, pressing his lips to the top of my head. I reveled in the gesture, leaning into his warm support.
We stayed that way for a little while until the position began to hurt and I had to lie down. Once I was tucked in for the night, Viktor brushed my hair away from my face and cupped my cheek gently.
“If I leave, I believe you will run, no matter what I say. I can’t let you do that, so I will be close by.”
It didn’t actually cross my mind at first, proving just how stupid I’d been acting, but now that he’d mentioned it, I was a little annoyed that he saw right through me. But then he kissed my forehead, and it settled me again, my eyes fluttering shut at the sweet gesture. I gave in, snuggling deeper into the bed as I watched him walk away, closing the door behind him. It didn’t close all the way, he’d broken it in his rush to get into the room earlier, but he did his best to rest it in the frame.
I fell asleep pretty quickly, but I was plagued with nightmares from the get go. Different dreams, from Yuri attacking me once he locked the door behind him, to multiple shadowy figures sneaking into my room since the door was broken. When my ex’s face started showing up, the dreams turned from frightening to downright terrifying. His menacing grin followed me, no matter how far I ran. And when I found myself trapped in this little room, like I had earlier with Yuri, his hands on me felt so real that I woke up screaming.
“?????! Rosie!”
For a minute, Viktor’s hands on my shoulders as he shook me awake felt exactly like my ex’s and I lashed out in an attempt to get away. I slapped at him, desperate to flee, until he called my name again, pulling me out of the nightmare and back to reality.
“Rosie!”
My eyes finally flew open, and I looked around. The room was dark, the sky pitch black. Only the glow from the city lights brightened the room enough for me to see him. He looked worried, his eyes searching mine.
“You are okay. You are safe.”
Sobs wracked my body, and he didn’t hesitate to pull me into his arms, curling his big body around me so that I was surrounded by him. I clung to him, the last terrifying remnants of the dream finally releasing me. My whole body was drenched in a cold sweat, and I couldn’t stop shaking.
It felt like it took hours for me to settle. Viktor never rushed me, petting my hair and softly whispering to me. I couldn’t hear what he was saying over my cries, but his tone was soothing.
Once I could breathe over the shuddering sobs, Viktor brought me a change of clothes, stepping out only long enough to give me privacy to change before he came back. He settled in the chair next to my bed, much like he had when I arrived here, but I shook my head.
“I-I don’t think I’ll be able to go back to sleep. You can go to bed, if you want.”
He studied me with a frown, but eventually he pushed to his feet. I waited for him to walk away, but he walked around the bed and climbed on the other side on top of the blanket, shifting until he was right up against me.
“W-What are you doing?”
He propped his head up on his elbow, gently stroking my hair. “I am going to help you go to sleep. I will stay here so that you feel safe.”
Stunned, I could only stare at him. I wasn’t sure I ever had someone so concerned with my needs before. He didn’t take advantage or demand more. He didn’t hurt me by insisting I cuddle. His only growling demand was for me to shut my eyes and try to rest.
He seemed to radiate heat. His warmth pressed up against my side and his combing fingers were like a drug, and after a little while, I fell back asleep. Thankfully, it was dreamless, and I had no more rude awakenings that night.
He was still there when I woke up, using his arm as a pillow, his free hand resting on top of mine on my belly. A part of me wished I could be wrapped in his arms, but not only would that hurt, it was a terrible idea, and I internally slapped myself. I needed to remember that this was all temporary. I couldn’t stay here. If I didn’t think he’d wake up immediately, I’d be trying to run again. Something told me Viktor was a light sleeper, though, because he always seemed to know when I was awake.
A knock on the bedroom door made me stiffen, but it was only Gabi. She poked her head in, a worried frown on her face. Her eyes narrowed when she noticed Viktor next to me and she pursed her lips, but she didn’t comment on it. She tiptoed into the room, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke to me.
“Hey, I came to check on you. Are you doing okay?”
I gave her a barely there nod. I didn’t want to move too much and wake Viktor. He’d been kind, sleeping beside me so I wouldn’t be scared. He deserved his rest.
Gabi smiled. “That’s good. Mariana is busy this morning. She can’t make breakfast, so I thought you might like to eat with me.”
