Page 59 of Kadra: The Unfeeling

“What is going on?” She mumbled absently with her eyes barely open.

Keeping a strong hold on her, I reach downward and turn the faucet on and wait for the tub to fill.

Then I turn and quickly work on getting her pajamas off and then I answer her. “You have a fever of a hundred and six, love. Taking a bath will help.”

“Why are you here?” She seems drowsy and out of it.

“Where else will I be?” Lifting her once again, I gently put her inside the bathtub, taking a seat on the edge and making sure to hold her head to make sure she doesn’t drown.

Never once in all the years I’ve known and stalked this woman have I seen her this vulnerable. This hurt.

Getting comfortable, I watch her as she rests her head back, breathing slowly. The shivers stop and the pained expression fades. I could do this for the rest of my life and never get tired.

Just watch her.

Her dark hair now wet looks darker and her skin glistens beautifully. Her face is rid of makeup. She looks stunning with or without makeup, that’s how gorgeous Kadra Parisi really is.

Yeah, I could do this for the rest of my life if she’d let me.

“Vitali.” I’m startled when I hear her say my name.

“I’m right here, love,” I tell her while brushing her hair back from her face.

“I-I…” she doesn’t finish her sentence but what she does is lift her hand weakly and touch mine.

That’s when I see it.

Her hands without the gloves.

Yes I got the chance to see her without the gloves back when we were in the garden but they were covered in dirt. I couldn’t see much but now I do.

The scars. The tiny scars that have turned white over the years.

The first time we crossed paths I caught a glimpse of an ugly scar on her arm but back then it was red and fresh. That’s how I knew she was being hurt.

Red and hot anger takes over as I feel the puckered scars on her hands. If I could kill the fuck who did this I would but I know she won’t let me. That’s a battle I can’t fight for her no matter how much it kills me not doing so. “Shhh. You don’t need to say anything. Just rest. I’m right here.” I bring her hand toward my face and kiss her scars. A piece of my heart withers up and dies just at the mere thought of her being hurt in any way.

Picking up a hand towel, I dip in the water and then start patting her skin trying to cool her down. I do that for half an hour while she rests.

And once the water starts to turn cold, I take her out and with a clean towel I quickly dry her and wrap it around her body before picking her up and walking inside her room.

I get her into a fresh new pair of silk black pajamas and quickly tuck her into bed. I do all of this while she’s knocked out.

Then once she’s settled, I take a seat in bed next to her and guard her sleep. Maybe if I’m here the nightmares won’t attack her while she sleeps. Maybe.

I count six freckles on the bridge of her nose that make up a tiny heart. I smile at that. Huh. So sweet.

Love.

That’s what you are, kotyonok.

Leaning forward, I kiss her forehead. When I pull back I find she’s no longer sleeping but looking at me with unfocused eyes. “You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met, Kadra Parisi.” Her brows furrow but says nothing. “You survived.”

I think she didn’t hear me but then she closed her eyes and a tear fell.

And I think I fell in love all over again.

My beautiful girl.

---