Page 28 of Rebellion

For some reason, the image that floated through her mind was Colm.

Images of Colm insisting she wore his jacket. Checking that her belt was secure. Colm watching her from across the restaurant.

Almost as much as he watched Miller.

“Miller was taking the trash out when she was attacked by one of the kitchen hands,” Sacha told him. “Sofia went out to check on her, saw Dima attacking Miller, and hit him with the baseball bat.”

“I keep it by the door to the alleyway,” Sofia said, staring at the wall. “Never had to use it before, but better safe than sorry.”

Sacha walked over and crouched in front of her again. He took her hand in his. That was surprising. He didn’t usually show affection in front of others. “You should have grabbed one of the men,Kotyonok, and not have risked yourself.”

Sofia turned her head to look at her cousin. “I wasn’t thinking. I just had to help Miller. He was hurting her.” Finally, she looked up at Rogan. Her eyes were now wide, filled with horror.

“He’s dead?” Rogan reiterated.

The door to the back room opened and the doctor walked back in, looking at Sacha.

“How is she?” Aleksandr asked.

“A few bruises and scratches. She’s dizzy and dazed, so I would say she has a slight concussion. I will give you a list of symptoms to watch out for. If she develops any of these symptoms, she needs emergency care.” The doctor handed over a hastily scrawled list. “I’m more worried about the trauma ofbeing attacked. She’s calm now, but I doubt that will last. She’ll need looking after.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be taking care of her,” Rogan vowed.

He disappeared into the back room as the doctor left.

Looking around, she noticed both Sacha and Viktor giving her concerned looks.

“You want me to take Sofia home?” Viktor asked quietly.

She tensed.

Sofia liked Viktor, even trusted him to some extent. He would always side with Sacha. That was what her cousin needed. But she also knew if she did something he thought Sacha wouldn’t approve of, then he’d rat her out quicker than Oleg could lose money on the horses.

“No, I’ll take her home shortly.”

She breathed out a small sigh. Sacha understood her. He knew Sofia wasn’t talking because she was scared that if she opened her mouth, every emotion she felt would pour out.

The door opened again before Colm walked out.

Her stomach tightened at the look on his face. He appeared so coldly furious that it took her a moment to remember to breathe.

Look at me.

See me.

But he turned to her cousin and she felt her heart shatter slightly.

She was being stupid. Of course he wouldn’t fall all over her, checking that she was all right.

It might have been nice if he’d at least asked her, though.

“Is it all taken care of?” Colm asked Aleksandr.

“Of course,” her cousin replied coldly. “Although I would like to know where you were.”

She bit her lip against defending Colm. She knew better than that.

“Miller went out back,” Colm said. “But I wasn’t expecting her to go outside. That won’t be allowed again.”

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