AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why didn’t you take your medicine?”
I grimaced, pressing my face against his back. “I…” I swallowed hard. I didn’t want to upset him any further by explaining my thought process.
He turned around slowly, wrapping his arms around me. He didn't make me move, keeping my face against his chest with his hand cupping the back of my head.
“No matter what you say, ?????, I will not be angry.”
It was a little hard to believe with my history, but I chose to trust him. Being surrounded by him helped a little, and I let out a shaky sigh.
“I upset you… I didn't deserve it.”
He stiffened and pulled away from me. “You were punishing yourself.”
Not a question. A statement. A very painful one. When I nodded, his loose grip on my arms tightened considerably as he pulled me back against his chest. I clutched at his shirt, willing the tears away. I needed to stop being such a crybaby. I’d chase him away if I didn't.
“?????. I do not want you doing such things again. You…” He sighed. “I do not know why you ran, but being stuck here when you want so desperately to leave is punishment enough. You need to take care of yourself.”
My eyes burned, and I bit my lip. “I was scared…” That was always true, but I felt the need to explain myself to him. To make him understand, I wasn’t running fromhim.
“Dmitriy said that man is looking harder for me. It feels dangerous to sit here. I can hide better on the street.”
I could hear the confusion in his tone. “He told you this?”
I shook my head. “Not directly. He was talking to Gabi in Russian.”
He huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. “I need to warn him you can understand us.” He leaned back, far enough for me to look him in the face without leaving the circle of his arms. “I understand your fear, ?????. But you are safer here than you are out there. Koslov is not stupid enough to come for this building. It is too well protected. I promise you are safe here. I would not let anything happen to you.”
After everything I’d been through, it was hard to fully believe him. Nowhere was one hundred percent safe. That’s why I kept moving. You’re harder to find if you don’t stay in one spot for very long. But I didn’t want to run anymore. I felt safe with Viktor, and for now, I was going to stick it out. Being wrapped in his arms was worth the risk.
ChapterSeventeen
I’d completely forgottenabout the poker game until a knock came at the door a little while later. I had taken my meds when I sat down to eat, and Viktor sat beside me on the couch, the silence easy and not uncomfortable. We didn’t need to fill in the silence with conversation. I appreciated it. I didn’t always know what to say, and I worried constantly that I’d say the wrong thing and upset him.
I watched as Viktor rose to answer the door, putting his plate on the coffee table as he walked past. He only opened it a crack, which I got the feeling was for me. He said this building was safe, but he was still cautious to make me feel comfortable.
“Did you forget?”
Viktor shook his head. “No. She needed to eat.”
The speaker hummed his acknowledgement. He didn’t sound angry that we were late, and when Viktor stepped back to allow the man in, he grinned at me.
“Hello, ???????. Are you ready to play?”
Unease settled over me like a blanket, and I flicked my gaze to Viktor. I’d agreed earlier with the assumption that he was going to be there. I wasn’t sure anymore if I’d assumed correctly, and I didn’t feel like I’d be able to handle it without him.
“I think you should go, ?????. Maybe you will feel more secure if you know who is protecting the building.”
He had a point, but it didn’t change the fact that this entire thing was going against every instinct I had. My eyes shifted between Viktor and the newcomer, and I twisted my fingers nervously. Viktor noticed the movement and stepped up to me, cupping my face in his hands.
“I will be right beside you. I will keep you safe. Yes?”
Nodding quickly, I leaned my face into his hands, shutting my eyes. His thumbs brushed over my cheeks, wiping away tears I hadn’t even known were falling. Neither of them rushed me, and I took a minute to breathe before straightening.
“Okay…”
The pride that overtook his face was like taking a shot of liquid courage. No one was ever proud of me. I could do this for him.
“I guess I missed my shot with her.”
