Page 80 of Scarred (Russian Sinners 2)

I couldn’t think about that right now. He was far away; the men failed. The bile in my throat was getting harder and harder to swallow; my breathing harder. Till I finally lost the battle and hunched over the first bush and threw up last night’s dinner.

Oh my God, I couldn’t bear to think about one more touch by Malcome.

My stomach lurched, and I puked up my guts. My heart was pounding in my chest, making my ears ring. I kneeled, scared I’d fall over from queasiness or shaky legs. I wanted to be stronger. I needed to be stronger.

“Olivia,” I heard Nikolai’s voice but was unable to pick up my head, since another round of throwing up commenced, although there wasn’t much left. His strong arm wrapped around me, while his other hand held my head up and hair out of my face as tears welled up in my eyes.

“It’s okay. Just relax,” his voice comforted as he rubbed my back.

I went to wipe my mouth but he was faster. He dabbed at my mouth with a handkerchief like I was a fragile doll.

Where in the hell did he get a handkerchief?

When finished, he turned me around to face him.

“I am sorry you saw that, Olivia,” he started. “I’m ruthless and would kill hundreds more if necessary. I couldn’t let him live. He was a threat to you.”

“I know.” I felt weak and exhausted. It was barely eight o’clock, and I was ready for the day to be over. I raised my eyes to his strong face. “I should be bothered that you killed him but I’m not. He… he-” a sob escaped me, “he was going to take me to Malcome.”

I tried to stifle my panic at the thoughts of Malcome. And Nikolai thought me strong! I felt exactly the opposite.

“Nobody will take you to him. I won’t let them.” His voice was hard, and I believed him. “You are mine, and I will kill anyone that dares to touch you.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face into his chest, soaking up his strength. This man was all I wanted and craved. I didn’t care that he shot a man this morning, two men actually. He was my savior; he rescued my mother and me without asking for anything in return.

“If you don’t want to be mine, Olivia, I’ll still protect you.” His voice was soft. He must have misunderstood my silence for rejection.

I raised my head off his chest, my arms still wrapped around him. I wasn’t letting go. His face held worry. I couldn’t be without him. He became everything to me.

“I want to be with you,” I told him softly. “Only with you.” His scarred face transitioned from worry to a soft smile. “Although I worry about putting Tasha and you in danger. I should be stronger and take care of this on my own,” I muttered ashamed.

“No, you should not,” he took my face in both his hands. “We do this together. I haven’t told you before since you had enough on your mind. I have been after Malcome Schmidt for the past two years. He’s the one that killed Tasha’s mother. My sister.”

The sharp exhale left my lips. I didn’t expect that admission at all. He was already connected to him. He must have read it in my eyes.

“I was going to cross paths with him sooner or later,” he muttered, his lips on my forehead. I closed my eyes, relishing in his warmth. “We do this together, you and me. Agreed?”

“Yes,” I murmured softly. “Together.”

I squeezed my arms around him tighter and he returned the hug. Hope swelled inside me and love for this man. I was slowly but surely falling hard for him. All of him, just the way he was; his ruthlessness when protecting, his smile, his scars, the way he loved me at night. I wouldn’t change a single piece of him.

But I also knew I couldn’t leave it all up to him. We needed a plan. I knew Malcome better than all these men. I had been around him for the past four years. He never lost and bragged he always got what he went after. And now he was hunting me.

“Let’s pack, my malysh,” Nikolai’s deep voice vibrated through every fiber of me. “We are going north.”

“Okay.” I’d go to the other end of the Earth, as long as we were together.

Hand in hand we walked into the house and were greeted by Tasha.

“Hey, Tasha,” I greeted her. She still looked a bit sleepy. “Your uncle suggested taking us north, and I think it is a great idea. What do you think? Like a little vacation.”

Her eyes lit up right away.

“Yes!” she squealed, as she jumped around excited.

Nikolai and I shared a look; his smile relaxed despite our current situation. He squeezed my hand in comfort and all my worries dissipated for now. I returned the squeeze, hoping it relayed how much he meant to me. I wanted to tell him later tonight, when we were alone. I knew he had a lot to take care of before we left.

“Okay,” I returned my attention to the enthusiastic six-year-old. “How about we go pack while your uncle is making all the arrangements?”

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