Page 40 of Sergei
Creed didn’t press. He didn’t have to. The fire was already lit.
The knot in my throat tightened as I growled, “I told her I would protect her, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“And you’ve kept your word,” Preacher interjected. “Alek has been dealt with. It’s over. You said it yourself. If we’re going to find her a safe place to go, this is the time to do it. She needs a new name, new license, new…”
“It’s too soon. She needs time.”
“Time, huh?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Um-hmm.” Preacher shook his head. “How much time are you thinking? A couple days? A week? A year?”
“As much time as she needs.”
“You talked to your brothers about this? Or your mother?”
I was growing tired of the third degree. Real tired. My back stiffened as I countered, “There’s nothing to talk about.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I don’t have to check in with my brothers or mother any time I make a decision.”
“This isn’t any decision, Sergei.” Preacher’s eyes narrowed. “This girl and her family have history with all of you. They have a right to know she’s here.”
“Like I said, she needs time.”
It wasn’t a lie. Alina had been through hell, and while the bruises were gone and she was no longer wincing at every wrong move, she was still recovering. She didn’t jump or gasp at every little bump in the night, but I saw those little glimmers of fear in her eyes, especially when a voice was raised or a door slammed.
The nightmares were pretty rough, too. I had gotten the first taste of them the second night she was at my place. I was in the office, talking with Conrad, when I heard a strange sound coming from Alina’s room. As soon as he ended the call, I went to check on her.
I eased her door open and was surprised to find that the bedside lamp was on. I stepped in further and found her nestled under the covers, sleeping soundly. The bruises on her face were all but gone, and the shadows under her eyes had disappeared. She looked so peaceful, like something fragile I had no right being close to.
I knew then I should’ve turned away.
I should’ve turned out the light and gone back to the office.
But I didn’t.
I stood there silently watching the soft rise and fall of her chest, and I couldn’t help but wonder how in the hell she’d ended up here. It felt so wrong and so right all at the same time, and it was fucking with my head. I don’t know what it was about this woman, but she’d gotten under my skin.
I was busy cursing myself for being a damn fool when she started to stir. Her breath hitched, and a whimper caught in her throat. She started to turn her head and writhe against the sheets, and she was muttering something I couldn’t make out. But I heard the fear. There was no missing that.
Before I had a chance to think, I knelt down next to the bed and placed my palm on her chest. I leaned forward and lowered my mouth to her ear as I whispered, “I’m here, Lina. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
And just like that, her body let go of the tension, and a soft sigh slipped from her lips. Her furrowed brows smoothed, and she sank back into her pillow.
Something deep inside me cracked wide open. It was something I hadn’t felt for years. Maybe ever. Not desire. Not possessiveness. Something deeper. Something I didn’t want to name. And that terrified me more than any bullet or blade.
Preacher wasn’t buying it. I could see it in his eyes, but he didn’t push. He just shook his head and said, “You’re playing with fire, son, and I have a feeling you’re not the only one who’s gonna get burned with this.”
“That’s a chance I’m willing to take.”
“Well, I’m not. Your mother has a right to know, and…”
“You know how many times I thought the same with you, but I trusted you to do the right thing by her. Time you did the same for me.”
“Fucking-a.”
