Page 20 of Marked (Russian Sinners 1)

The doctor handed me the cream and demonstrated with his hands I should layer it on my skin. I did as instructed and got dressed. He proceeded to show me to put the lotion on twice a day and I nodded. It was kind of silly the way we communicated but it worked.

I quickly put back on my clothes and my tennis shoes. I left the doctor with one more thank you and was surprised not to see Dimitry lurking around, ensuring I did as I was told. I retraced the steps back and was stopped by a voice calling me.

I turned around and found Sergei rushing towards me.

“Hey, Anastasia,” he greeted me with the smile. “Nikolai asked me to give you this.” He handed me my phone back. “He removed all social media access. Just for security purposes. But Dimitry had him add the Rosetta Stone app with Russian already in it.”

I nodded. “Thanks, and I look forward to the Rosetta Stone.” I gave him a small smile. My cheek hurt each time I smiled so I tried to minimize smiles given.

And it made sense to remove social media access. I wasn’t going to jeopardize them all just for social media access.

“You want a tour of this place?” he offered.

“Sure, but maybe just the first floor. This place is huge.”

This place was the size of a palace and my body ached too much to endure an elaborate tour. Plus I was tired. The nap in the car gave me a slight boost but it was already wearing off.

He laughed. “Didn’t you grow up in a palace, princess?” he teased.

He led the way and I followed, although I wasn’t remotely interested in this place.

“No, I grew up in an oversized home,” I mused back at him. “Unnecessarily oversized home with lots of wasted space since I’m an only child.”

“It still must have been nice,” he commented back. “You are one of those girls who were probably very popular and had friends over all the time.”

“Not really,” I chuckled back. “I grew up with Olivia and her twin brother. In high school we met Scarlett and she was so much like us, we sucked her into being our friend. So it was pretty much just us. Oliver had his own room, while Olivia, Scarlett, and I shared my room most of the time even though they each had their own.”

“Sounds like a full house,” he speculated, although there was a slight sorrow on his face. Maybe he missed his family?

God, I missed my family something terrible. Scarlett, Olivia, and Oliver were considered part of my family although we weren’t related. I worried about them over the last two weeks but I knew Brian would ensure they were safe. It was the only comfort in the dark and cold of that stuffy, dirty room.

We walked from room to room, and although he was talking, we both seemed to be in our thoughts somewhere else. He was getting too detailed in his decor explanation and history of each room. I was tired as it was and didn’t want to fall asleep walking.

“So how do you three know each other?” I asked, trying to change the subject. “Do you have any siblings?”

“Dimitry, Nikolai, and I all grew up together in an orphanage.” My eyes returned to him in surprise. I didn’t expect that although I couldn’t say I was surprised. That must have been hard. “Nikolai had a sister but thankfully, a family member was able to take her in.”

It seemed he was saying so much without saying anything at all. The fact he was thankful Nikolai’s sister didn’t have to grow up in the orphanage with them was telling enough.

“How old were you all?” My voice was low and soft.

“Dimitry was about two when he was left at the doorstep of the orphanage.”

Damn, I hated seeing kids hurt and I couldn’t imagine how hard that was.

“And you and Nikolai?” I asked gently, not wanting to open their old wounds.

“Dimitry is the oldest. He was there first, then when Nikolai’s parents were killed and his uncle dropped him off at the orphanage, he took him under his wing. I followed behind Nikolai when my parents gave me away. Again both of them took me under their protection.”

His voice was void of any emotions and my heart broke for three boys so young being alone in the world. Dimitry was left on the doorstep? Sergei’s parents gave him away? I wanted to ask more questions but didn’t want to dig at the wound. I couldn’t imagine that was something you ever get over. If I didn’t have my family, I’d be lost.

“Does Nikolai’s sister live close to him now?” I asked. “He must love having his family around.”

“No, she was killed,” he declared, anger detectable in the tone of his voice. “He does have a niece that lives under his roof.”

Well, that was an odd way to describe it but didn’t want to continue questioning him. I could see it bothered him although he kept his emotions in check. Or maybe I should say lack of emotions.

As we walked in silence, I thought back to my parents and my grandparents. I was very lucky. We were a tight knit and loving family, always had each other’s back. Although my father, uncle, and grandfather were overly protective, I understood why and the need for it. Oliver and Olivia, then later including Scarlett, just made our family ever better. I loved Oliver like he was my brother, and Olivia along with Scarlett couldn’t be more my sisters if they were my blood sisters.

---