Chapter 12 - Tasha
Staring out the window, I couldn’t understand why he stopped so abruptly. My anger, mixed with feelings of rejection and hurt, made my mind swoon. I felt conflicted and ashamed at the same time, even though I knew deep down inside that this was his fault.
My stomach growled at me as I got into bed, but I was too upset even to try eating. I didn’t understand why he was playing games with me. Closing my eyes, I promised myself I would get back at him.
My stomach woke me earlier than I expected. Glancing at the window it was still dark out. I wondered if anyone would be up and if they’d complain if I went looking for food.
Walking down to the kitchen my mind wandered off. I entered the kitchen half in a daze and dug into the cupboards. There was so much to select from, I didn’t know what I wanted. Pulling out a box of cereal, I heard someone clearing their throat behind me.
Shocked by the sudden noise, I tossed the box up in the air. Turning, I let out a small scream before I saw Vadik standing in the middle of the room. The box was open, cereal flakes came down over us looking like confetti.
I was slightly relieved to see him. But I felt embarrassed that I got caught snooping. The kitchen was so big, I wouldn’t even know where to start looking for a bowl and spoon. But now I could ask.
“Where can I get a bowl and spoon, I was hungry,” I asked softly.
Vadik looked from one cupboard to the next, rubbing his chin. “Not sure,” he mumbled. Walking to the one side he started opening door by door looking for a bowl.
This is why he had people preparing his meals and drinks, I thought as I watched him. I don’t think he even knows where anything is, which was evident by his search. Vadik finally found a bowl, and handed it to me, I wondered why he stopped so abruptly yesterday.
What kind of game was he playing with me? He turned away and continued to search for a spoon. If he wanted to hurt me and my brothers even more, why would he not sleep with me? Taking me would have been his ultimate chess move, but he didn’t.
This was all so confusing. I felt sure he liked women and not men. The way he touched me, his kiss, the emotion was too strong for him to like men. Most men wouldn’t think twice. They wouldn’t miss the opportunity for sex. Maybe he has a thing against virgins I wondered as he strolled over with my spoon.
Vadik grinned holding the spoon up in the air. “I knew I’d find it,” he said bending forward as he gave it to me.
Reluctantly I spoke as I took it. “Thank you.” I poured some cereal into the bowl and added milk. He stood staring as I took my first bite. I could feel my blood boiling. First, he made a fool of me and now she stood gawking at me while I ate. How could he be such a horrible man?
Pushing the bowl away, I got up. “On second thought,” I said walking to the door. “Maybe I wasn’t hungry after all,” I added before leaving and heading upstairs to my room. I will show him, I thought as I closed the bedroom door. He wants to play games. So, can I. I won’t help with their missions anymore. He can battle on his own and see how far they get.
Laying back down, I felt my stomach turning. Everything that had happened was bothering me, including now this morning. How could he just stand there smiling as if everything was fine?
There was a soft knock at the door. Sitting up, I heard Vadik speaking. “Tasha, we are ready to leave. Are you coming?”
Still bubbling with anger, I shot back. “No, I’m staying.”
I heard him sighing before walking away. I wasn’t ready to face him. He could do his jobs alone. He didn’t need me. Laying back down my thoughts wandered back to our training.
Training with him felt so natural. Maybe it was just that he was so good, he made me feel comfortable. On the other hand, I have no skills, but I felt the training came naturally. It was almost easy.
It could be that we move at the same frequency. Sighing deeply, I closed my eyes. Being so close to him ignited warmth inside me. It wasn’t a weird feeling. It was soft, almost a loving kind of feeling. “No,” I breathed out loudly. This couldn’t be love!
Trailing a line up my arm with my fingers I could still feel my skin trembling from his touch. His musky odor was much stronger after a couple of hours of training. Wiggling my nose, I considered his scent a form of drug. I wanted to be close just to absorb the delightful aroma. It sounded weird but something was alluring in it.
Placing two fingers on my lips, I felt his soft tender kiss melting me as his lips touched mine. His body was firmly built but yielding under my touch. Turning to my side, I imagined what else he had in store.
I smiled as I lay there. But my smile dissipated as quickly as it came remembering how he got up and left me hanging. How dare he, who did he think he was?
There was a loud noise coming from downstairs. I hadn’t realized that I had fallen asleep. Sitting up, I checked my watch. Four hours had gone by since they left. Getting up, I quickly went to rinse my face before heading down.
The commotion sounded serious. I needed to see what was happening. I was about halfway down the stairs when I saw him. Makari and Pavel were trying to move towards the small lounge with Vadik hanging between them.
Sprinting down the last couple of steps, I joined them as they got to the lounge door. Opening it, I stepped aside allowing them to enter. “What happened?” I breathed out as they moved past me.
I watched in horror as they laid Vadik down on the couch. Rushing to his side, I spoke harshly, “Get a first aid kit, clean towels, and a bowl with water. We need to clean him up and see if he needs stitches.”
Glancing at them, I saw them nod as each headed in a different direction. Pavel returned first with the first aid kit. “Please tell me what happened?” I demanded.
Makari had just entered carrying the towels in one hand and a bowl in the other. He placed it beside me and said, “This job was out of our depth. We didn’t have the skills needed to safely complete it.”
“How is that? What skills didn’t you have? I’m sure you’ve done many jobs for them, so how was this different?” I huffed cutting his shirt open so I could see the wound better.
Wetting a towel, I cleaned Vadik’s arm and chest. Bending down next to me he whispered, “We needed your skills. Our data intel was off. We couldn’t work around the glitch.”
Pavel placed his hand on Makari’s shoulder. When he spoke, I could hear a mixture of fear, anger, and pain in his tone. “Maraki, Vadik instructed us not to tell her anything!”
Glancing at them, I caught the glare they exchanged as Maraki responded. “She asked and don’t you think she has a right to know?”
Pavel lowered his head as he spoke, “He said he didn’t want her involved in this mess and we are keeping it that way. No more talking about it.”
Vadik stirred and groaned as I started stitching up the wound. “May I ask how this happened?” I inquired in a gentle tone.
“Vadik can tell you what he wants you to know once he wakes,” Makari replied.
I felt my insides turning as I closed the wound. What had I done by being selfish? I allowed my emotions to get the upper hand and look at what happened. He wouldn’t be lying here had I just gone with and helped them.
Scanning him, I noticed a gash on his other side. “Help me turn him so I can get to that side,” I said as I rose.
His brothers gently turned him to his side. I quickly cleaned the wound and applied lotion before putting on the gauze and bandage.
Once the wounds were closed and I had applied the wrapping we could try and move him. Looking at the two men beside me I spoke, “Where can we put him to rest, he can’t stay on the couch.”
They looked at each other and nodded. “Right,” Makari huffed as they lifted Vadik from the couch. “Under the stairs in the corner room,” he added as they started moving.
I went ahead of them and opened the door. There was a single bed, a table, and a couch in the room. Opening the covers, I stood at the end of the bed until they placed him down.
Pavel stepped back and spoke as he turned to leave. “I guess he will be fine here. Can you manage on your own now?”
I nodded while pulling the covers up to warm him. “Thanks,” I replied without looking back.
“I’m also leaving then,” Makari added. “Let me know if you need anything or if he changes?”
“No problem,” I replied over my shoulder. Sitting down on the couch I watched him with a heavy heart. Even though this was partially my fault, I wasn’t the only one to blame. Looking out the window, I realized it was the perfect opportunity to escape.
I could simply leave. With Vadik down for the count, no one would be there to stop me. They may not even notice I was gone. It could be a day or so before they realize. Standing, I walked to the window, the light outside was still enough for me to get to town and call my brothers.
Turning to face him, I swallowed hard. I felt guilty. What if something happened to him and no one was there to check and ensure he was, okay? No, shaking my head, I sat back down. I had to stay and ensure he recuperated. I would stay the night to be sure he survived.
He was badly injured and needed me. Plus, even when he is back in full health, the right time for me will come. I will still be able to escape, I just need to be patient. Plus, when I do it later, it will be much sweeter knowing I got away.
Getting up, I quickly went to the table and sent Abram a message via Nadia. I informed them of the developments and let them know I was still good. Grabbing the extra blanket from the foot-end of the bed. I covered myself as I sat back down. Wiggling down, I got comfortable before closing my eyes.