Chapter 8
NIKOLAI
“Done. There’s a bathroom at the end of the hall you can clean up in. I’ll get some clothes coming.” I shift my leg so she isn’t hanging on me anymore.
Her palm is both fire and ice on my thigh, so it’s best to back away.
From the moment I saw her, there was something in my chest that said I needed to help her.
But, now what?
I have no idea who she is, or where she came from.
Pulling out my phone, I text my sister.
Me: I need extra clothes.
Lara: Okay. You know where the mall is.
Me: No, women’s clothes.
Lara: Again…
Me: I’m at the safehouse on Kent. There’s a woman here who was being beaten by Reapers I’m helping.
Lara: See how nice it is when you use words? What size?
Me: Don’t know. She’s smaller than me.
Lara: So is every other human on Earth besides Mikhail. Fine, I’ll see what I can find.
“Um, Nikolai?” Melissa’s voice distracts me from my screen.
Fuck.
Her T-shirt is wet, like she’s rinsed it out, and it clings to her body, her nipples poke through the wet fabric, free of any bra.
With a fresh towel, she dabs at her head tenderly, with a second wrapped around her waist.
No pants.
All I can do is grunt.
“I think I need the staple thingy on my leg.” She pivots, revealing the bare skin of her thigh through the terry cloth.
There’s a three inch gash just above her knee that is slowly seeping a crimson stain into the white.
Pulling out a new pair of gloves, I tug them on and wave back to the couch.
She lays down on her stomach and turns, lifting the towel so I can see better.
To her credit, she barely winces when I spray the antiseptic. Four quick snaps of the stapler, and the cut is pinched closed.
Smoothing out the bandage covering, her dark eyes meet mine with my hand still resting on her leg.
I don’t like that I’m enjoying touching her.
Clearing my throat, I peel off the gloves and gather the bits of trash, leaving her still spread out on the couch.
I can’t get into the kitchen fast enough to find the garbage can. There needs to be a place she will feel safer than here.
If only there wasn’t a piece of me saying no.
She seems sweet, timid, and scared. I’m the wrong person for her, I might break her.
But, I’ll keep her safe for now.
A knock at the door makes her startle and run towards the bathroom like a frightened deer.
This world I live in would be too much for her.
Lara pushes past me with her arms full of three duffel bags. Her long blond hair is pulled back in a tight braid, so I know she wasn’t close to bed.
I’m relieved to see she’s alone. I was worried she’d bring Elena. Worse would have been Alexei or Mikhail.
I need to see what Melissa knows first. Then, I’ll bring in my brother.
“Where is she?” Lara drops the bags on the floor by the couch. She points at the trauma kit. “Is she going to live, or do we need to get the doc involved?”
Shaking my head, my answer is interrupted by Melissa’s slow approach from the hall.
The towel that was higher a few moments ago is settled low on her waist, and her shirt is now dry and covers her discreetly.
Was the wet look earlier for my benefit?
I’m not complaining.
“Hi.” Melissa takes a shy step forward, her wide eyes dart back and forth between me and Lara.
My sister walks up to her, arms open. “Hello! Nikolai told me you had a hard time today? I brought you some clothes.” Lara pulls her close into a hug while Melissa’s panicked gaze finds me over her shoulder.
“I’m Lara. I think they should fit. I brought you some supplies too, just in case.” Lara backs off a step, holding Melissa by the arms and gives her a soft smile.
“Thank you.” Melissa looks uncomfortable and pulls away to curl up on the end of the couch. She keeps looking first at me, then at Lara.
I think my sister picks up on it, and turns back to me. She gives me a tiny shake of her head with a frown before putting the happy look back up.
Hmm. Lara senses something, but what?
“Well, I should be going. You’re safe here with Nikolai.” Lara leaves just as quickly as she arrived, but gives me one more hard stare as she walks out the door.
What the hell did she see?