Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 68102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“I keep it by the door to the alleyway,” Sofia said, staring at the wall. “Never had to use it before, but better safe than sorry.”
Sacha walked over and crouched in front of her again. He took her hand in his. That was surprising. He didn’t usually show affection in front of others. “You should have grabbed one of the men, Kotyonok, and not have risked yourself.”
Sofia turned her head to look at her cousin. “I wasn’t thinking. I just had to help Miller. He was hurting her.” Finally, she looked up at Rogan. Her eyes were now wide, filled with horror.
“He’s dead?” Rogan reiterated.
The door to the back room opened and the doctor walked back in, looking at Sacha.
“How is she?” Aleksandr asked.
“A few bruises and scratches. She’s dizzy and dazed, so I would say she has a slight concussion. I will give you a list of symptoms to watch out for. If she develops any of these symptoms, she needs emergency care.” The doctor handed over a hastily scrawled list. “I’m more worried about the trauma of being attacked. She’s calm now, but I doubt that will last. She’ll need looking after.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be taking care of her,” Rogan vowed.
He disappeared into the back room as the doctor left.
Looking around, she noticed both Sacha and Viktor giving her concerned looks.
“You want me to take Sofia home?” Viktor asked quietly.
She tensed.
Sofia liked Viktor, even trusted him to some extent. He would always side with Sacha. That was what her cousin needed. But she also knew if she did something he thought Sacha wouldn’t approve of, then he’d rat her out quicker than Oleg could lose money on the horses.
“No, I’ll take her home shortly.”
She breathed out a small sigh. Sacha understood her. He knew Sofia wasn’t talking because she was scared that if she opened her mouth, every emotion she felt would pour out.
The door opened again before Colm walked out.
Her stomach tightened at the look on his face. He appeared so coldly furious that it took her a moment to remember to breathe.
Look at me.
See me.
But he turned to her cousin and she felt her heart shatter slightly.
She was being stupid. Of course he wouldn’t fall all over her, checking that she was all right.
It might have been nice if he’d at least asked her, though.
“Is it all taken care of?” Colm asked Aleksandr.
“Of course,” her cousin replied coldly. “Although I would like to know where you were.”
She bit her lip against defending Colm. She knew better than that.
“Miller went out back,” Colm said. “But I wasn’t expecting her to go outside. That won’t be allowed again.”
This time, Colm shot his gaze at her and she gulped. Was he . . . was he blaming her?
Oh, God.
“You better not be blaming Sofia,” Sacha said in a low, warning voice.
Why did it always feel like she was on the edge of disaster? As though her world was only one word away from imploding.
“Of course I don’t blame Sofia,” Colm replied. “Why would I blame Sofia? What I want to know is why that fucking asshole was hired in the first place?”
“I’ll sort things.”
Colm nodded. She got the sense that he wanted to say something else but held back. Turning to her, those blue eyes studied her piercingly. She felt like he could see right into her soul.
She held her breath, her gaze caught by his. Viktor cleared his throat, breaking whatever spell she’d been in.
Colm gave her a subtle nod before leaving.
What did that mean?
“Viktor, can you take Sofia out to the car? I’ll be there shortly.”
7
Twenty minutes later, they were on their way home. Viktor was driving and Sacha raised the privacy screen.
She had another blanket over her. One that he kept in his car for her.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m warm, thanks.”
Sacha sighed. “Not what I asked, Kotyonok.”
“I’m . . . I don’t know. I don’t know how I am. I still feel numb.” She clenched her hands together. “I keep thinking about it. Seeing it happen. Hearing that noise as the bat hit his—I’m going to be sick!”
He immediately tapped on the privacy screen. Viktor pulled over as Sacha undid her belt and dragged her from the car. Just in time, since she couldn’t hold the nausea back any longer. She vomited up everything she had in her stomach.
Which wasn’t much, admittedly.
When she was done, Sacha cleaned her face with some wet wipes before picking her up and carrying her back to the car.
He settled her into the car, even buckling her in.
Crap. That just reminded her of Colm doing the same thing. She couldn’t help but wish that he was here with her.
“You’re staying in the house with me tonight.”
So he could keep an eye on her. She’d fought for her own place, for some form of independence.