Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Nothing.
I move until I’m next to Alek and also lean back against the wall.
For a long while, silence fills the room before I say, “Thank you for saying all those things about us so they wouldn’t kill me.” I turn my head and look at Alek. “And thank you for taking a beating for me.”
He lifts his bandaged hand. “Thanks for patching me up.”
“It’s the least I could do,” I whisper.
When his eyes meet mine, I ask, “Can you show me how to stay calm?”
He shakes his head and lets out a sigh. “It’s not something you can learn in an hour. It takes years.”
We continue to stare at each other, and with my emotions all over the place, I admit, “I’m scared, Alek.” Tears threaten to overwhelm me, but somehow, I manage to swallow them back.
I’m surprised when his eyes soften, and he wraps his arm around my shoulders. Not hesitating, I lean into his side, and that’s all it takes for the tears to burst free.
Chapter 9
Alek
I was worried Prodi was going to starve us to death, but luckily they finally gave us something to eat.
It’s four pieces of dry bread and one chicken breast each. It’s a far cry from Mama’s food, but it will have to do.
I finish my food before Everleigh is done with her first slice of bread.
When she catches me eyeing her food, she tears the chicken breast into strips, takes one of the strips, and pushes the rest of her food closer to me. “You need it more than me.”
I hesitate for a moment, but knowing she’s right, I take two strips of chicken and a slice of bread and wolf it down.
“Finish the rest,” I say, not wanting her to starve.
We’ve been in this room for three days, and after the first day’s torture, we’ve only been allowed out of our prison to visit the restroom. It’s usually in the morning and late at night. It’s also the only time we get to drink water.
If they’re going to feed us every three days, we’re fucked.
Another thing that worries me is that I’m getting used to having Everleigh in my space. With our dire situation and or the forced proximity, I’m starting to feel things I wouldn’t feel under normal circumstances.
Whenever she checks my wounds to put on more antiseptic lotion, I feel grateful that she’s here.
Having Everleigh take care of me feels good.
And with every passing hour, I worry more and more about her.
It doesn’t help that she’s beautiful and scared out of her fucking mind. It makes me feel more protective of her.
And she’s kind. Not once has she blamed me for the hell I got her into.
She splits the last slice of bread and leftover chicken and hands half to me.
Like I said, she’s kind.
I take the food, and this time, savor the taste of every bite.
“I miss my mother’s food,” I admit.
Everleigh is staring at her hands. “Me too.” She ducks her head lower. “She made the best pot roast.”
“Can you cook?” I ask.
“A little.” She lifts her head and meets my eyes. “And you?”
With a chuckle, I shake my head. “Were you close with your parents?”
She nods, and sorrow creeps into her amber eyes. “We were very close. I miss them every day.”
“How did they die?” I’m not asking because I have a morbid curiosity. I just want to talk to her, and the question came to mind.
“In a head-on collision with a truck that broke down. It was trying to make a U-turn when the engine stalled. There were no lights.”
Christ. It must’ve been a closed-casket funeral. I’ve seen an accident like that, and the driver was decapitated.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur. Changing the subject, I ask, “What made you pick Russia as a travel destination?”
“It was my mom’s choice.” Everleigh gives me a sad smile, and it makes me want to hold her. “My dad chose Scotland, and I picked Hawaii. I would’ve gone to Scotland next.”
A sheepish grin forms around my lips. “Did you at least enjoy Russia before I kidnapped you?”
Her smile widens. “I did.”
Our eyes lock, and the air grows serious. “I’m sorry I grabbed you off the street. I thought you were Svetlana.”
“I know.” She lowers her head again. “I’m in this position because I swapped clothes with a girl I knew nothing about. It’s my own fault.”
“None of this is your fault.”
Again, she meets my eyes. “I know it’s going to sound weird and selfish, but I’m glad you’re here with me.”
Trying to make light of the situation, I let out a chuckle. “Hey, it’s not every day I get locked up with a beautiful girl.”
Her smile widens again, and her cheeks flush pink.
Before I can stop the question, I ask, “Do you have a boyfriend back home?”
“No.” Everleigh scrunches her nose. “I haven’t dated since my parents passed away.” A shy expression crosses her features. “And you? Do you have a girlfriend?”