Page 18 of Hawk
“Don’t worry. I won’t hurt your precious Halina,” she returned.
“She’s already had breakfast and shouldn’t need a snack until after her nap. I expect to be home by then, but I’ve got a plate in the fridge for her.”
She stepped to the side so I could exit the small space, and as I walked into the living room, she followed closely behind me. I hated when she did that, but I wasn’t one to cause confrontation, so I let it slide.
Halina was sitting on her pillow at the coffee table, coloring in her new book. When she heard me, she lifted her beautiful face upward and offered me a full smile. She was so angelic, and I would go through everything I’d endured all over again if it meant I still had her. She was the sunshine that gave me purpose in life, and the thought of anything happening to her gave me pains in my chest.
For the years we were in that vile house, I managed to shield her from the worst of what was happening just outside our room. Adrik had been pissed when he found out I was pregnant, but the moment he saw her, he was a goner. His love for her was deep, so when he ran, leaving us behind, it was hard for her. She’d finally stopped asking for him about a year ago, and I prayed he stayed away forever.
Adrik was wanted by more than the feds, and I was sure he was back in Moscow, living the high life, having forgotten about her . . . and hopefully me. He said I’d never get away from him, but the last year and a half without him had been amazing. I’d gotten my GED, started taking online business classes, and tried to find my way in life. It was hard, but every step was worth it, for her.
Kneeling in front of Halina, I brushed a lock of her soft brown hair off her forehead and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. “Momma’s got to go, but you’re going to stay here with Alyona. Can you promise to be a good girl for her while I’m gone?”
She nodded as she replied, “I promise, Momma.”
“That’s my good girl. I’ll be back before you wake up from your nap and then we can go to the park and swing,”
“Okay,” she said simply before she went back to coloring her picture.
Turning, I looked at Alyona and said, “Thank you for this. If she gets to be too much, Ms. Johnson is available, but I don’t think I’ll be gone long.”
She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorway as she replied, “Take your time. I’ve got her.”
I didn’t know if she was being honest or if she had something up her sleeve, but she would never lay a hand on Halina, so I had to trust her. The only way to get away from her was to work, and this job could be the start of something wonderful.
I grabbed my purse from the small table and fished inside for my keys. Glancing over my shoulder, I took one last look at my beautiful daughter then turned back to Alyona.
“Thanks again. If I get this job, we’ll be out of your hair.”
She shrugged as I stepped around her, and when I got to the door, she said, “Have fun.”
It was a strange statement from her, but I was too worried about the interview to analyze her words. As I walked out of the house and locked the door behind me, I fought the nerves in my stomach. The bus stop was at the end of the street, and I had a few minutes before it was scheduled to arrive. Walking in the cool morning air, I cursed myself for not grabbing a sweater but knew I didn’t have time to get one and make the bus on time.
As I sat on the bench, I thought back to my time at the house with Adrik and fought to keep the tears from building in my eyes. He was never nice to me, he took from me whenever he felt like it, and he didn’t hesitate to discipline me for anything he considered to be a violation of his rules. I never understood why he kept me around.
The bus pulled up and I pushed off the bench and climbed the steps before scanning my pass and finding a seat near the driver. The restaurant was only a mile away, but it felt like a million the farther away from my daughter I got. The next stop was mine, so I stood and grabbed onto the handle as the bus slowed to a stop.
“Thank you,” I said to the driver, and he gave me a smile and nod before I departed.
When the bus pulled away, I checked for traffic and quickly walked across the street to the restaurant. They were closed for lunch, so I knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. A man dressed in an expensive suit answered and his eyes ran up and down my form before he asked, “Can I help you?”
“I have an interview with Ronald. My name is Stella,” I explained, and he lifted his chin before opening the door and extending his arm for me to go inside.
I followed the nameless man farther through the sea of tables. The restaurant was lit with dim lights hanging above the tables. I didn’t hear anyone in the kitchen as we approached, but I could smell the delicious food, so I assumed everyone was on a break.
We arrived at a corner booth in the back of the room, and he gestured for me to have a seat. I slid into one side and smoothed my hands down my skirt as he turned and walked away. There was music playing softly from an overhead speaker, and I found myself looking around the room, waiting for Ronald to arrive.
I should have paid more attention to what was happening, but I was lost in thought and only realized something was wrong when a large figure appeared across the dimly-lit room and began to move closer. With each step, the bile in my stomach rose higher until my throat was burning and tears were falling from my eyes.
The moment he sat down, I knew I’d been set up, and I prayed Halina would be okay.
“Stella, you look well. How have you been?”
I hadn’t heard his voice since the night he left me with Adrik, naked on the floor after being raped in a room full of men. Vomit spewed from my mouth, and I managed to turn my head as it landed on the seat next to me.
“Get something to clean her up,” my father barked at someone, and a towel and glass of water appeared in front of me.
With shaky hands, I took the towel and wiped my face before taking a deep swallow of water. “What . . . what are you doing her, Papa?”
