Page 47 of Zirkov

With his hands raised, he backed out the bedroom door. “I’m leaving. Promise me you won’t hurt yourself.”

“Leave!” she shouted, her hands shaking so badly she feared she’d lose what little restraint she had.

A moment later, her apartment door clicked shut. Relief replaced the terror coursing through her as she sank to the rug and set her gun down. Her entire body shook uncontrollably. So many thoughts popped into her head at once, overwhelming her until one took center-stage.

Her go-bag had a stash of credit chips, extra ammo, clothing, maps, and a stolen comm. A stolen comm? What the fuck was going on?

When she looked up again, there he stood, holding a yellow rose. The dead og’dal from the picture Assistant Director Sutherland had shown her. He offered her a hand up.

She wished Zirkov were with her instead of this og’dal, but she’d threatened him. He’d never trust her again. That was for the best. He’d be safe if he kept his distance.

“I’ll take care of you,” the og’dal said.

She reached up and slid her hand into his. Warm and inviting, like she was home…

* * *

ZIRKOV

Zirkov quickly dressedin the hall before messaging Konnitch. He needed help securing Maggie. He could capture her on his own, but her erratic behavior increased the risk she’d hurt herself. That possibility sent a near-paralyzing fear through him.

Through the thin walls, he heard Maggie talking to someone, though he couldn’t make out what she was saying. How the drekk did someone get in there? The window!

Drekk, he was slipping. Just because there was no fire escape on her window didn’t mean a male couldn’t rappel down from the roof of the five-story building. He never should have left her alone, even for the few minutes he needed to fool her into thinking he’d left.

Zirkov crept back into her apartment, careful not to step on the wood floor boards that creaked as he’d exited. The bedroom door remained open.

“Will you take the pain away?” she asked whoever was with her.

Zirkov waited to hear the male’s answer, but none came. Krike! He must have alerted the intruder to his presence. With his blaster raised, Zirkov moved to the bedroom door and peered inside.

Maggie knelt on the floor, her weapon inches away from her. She didn’t notice him in the doorway as she talked to an empty room.

Drugs, maybe. That could explain her hallucinating. And her odd behavior earlier.

Zirkov holstered his blaster. When he reached her, he stepped on her gun to keep her from taking it. As he crouched down to her level, he said, “You will be fine, Maggie. No one will hurt you.”

She lifted her head, revealing tear-stained cheeks. “Why are you here, Var’Len?”

“It’s me. Zirkov. Will you let me care for you?” He held a hand out to her.

“I can’t. I’m a marshal. My duty is to protect our witnesses.”

“I won’t harm them. Come, Magdalena,” he said as he bent down and lifted her into his arms. The weight of her, her skin warming his, her floral scent…. brought back all the memories from last night. Glorious memories, all of which meant nothing now. She hadn’t been present with him, not in mind or spirit.

Her head settled against his chest. “I’m tired. And sore. Everywhere. I slept with Zirkov, like you wanted. I didn’t want to use him like that.” Tears streamed down her face.

Zirkov swallowed, forcing back his own confusion. Later, he would assess what had happened between them, and what it would mean to them going forward. For now, he needed to take care of her.

“How’s your head, vasha?”

“Hurts. I resisted with everything in me, but I still shot him.”

“Who?”

“Zirkov.”

“You didn’t shoot him.”

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