Chapter Eight
Cerys
I hated hospitals. I’d never been to one before, but after my eight-day stay, I could honestly say I never wanted to go back.
They’d kept me for observation and to help manage my pain.
Although, I wondered if that had more to do with Viktor.
I couldn’t imagine other people staying so long for the same symptoms. Some had a tension in their voices when he was in the room.
Even though he’d said he hadn’t been the one to hurt me, and I’d told them the same, I’d wondered if they thought we were lying.
I’d often found myself pressing a hand to my belly.
The doctors hadn’t been positive I was having a miscarriage, but I’d told them repeatedly it wasn’t time for my period yet.
And if that’s what the bleeding had been from, it had lasted much longer than usual.
Even if they wouldn’t say with any certainty that I’d lost my baby, I knew deep inside that’s what had happened.
Viktor had been attentive, remaining by my side and handling business during the times I slept.
He’d assured me that Artur wasn’t a problem anymore.
I wasn’t na?ve enough to think that meant he was still breathing.
No, he was dead. Not by Viktor’s hand, since he’d stayed with me, but I didn’t doubt my husband had given the order.
At least, I’d assumed he’d never left. He was always there when I woke.
Once I’d been released, he’d taken me on a trip to the ocean.
He’d rented a home for us and I’d spent another ten days just enjoying the fresh air and the sound of the waves crashing on the sand.
We’d grown closer, sharing more of our lives, learning what we liked and disliked.
During that week, we’d become something more than lovers.
More than husband and wife. We’d become friends.
But our time had come to an end, and we’d flown back home.
When we pulled to a stop and the car hadn’t started moving again, I’d known what it meant. We were outside the building where we lived. Viktor reached over to take my hand.
“We’re home, myshka .”
My body locked up tight. My heart started racing and there was a buzzing in my ears.
I knew that Artur was gone, but it didn’t stop the panic from rising over the thought of going up to the penthouse.
I’d learned that Ilya would recover, but the security officers for the building had died from their wounds.
If Viktor hadn’t come for me when he did, Ilya would have likely been dead too.
They’d feared he was already gone when they’d seen the blood, or so Viktor said.
Thankfully, he’d only been unconscious and would heal from his wounds.
“I know you can’t see the penthouse, but I had some changes made. New furniture, new paint. The place has been thoroughly cleaned. It will be like going into a new home, myshka .”
I nodded, trying to let his words comfort me, but I was scared that I’d react badly once we were upstairs.
Viktor left the car running and I knew someone would park it for him.
He helped me from the car and led me inside.
The elevator ride made my stomach flip. When the doors slid open and I stepped out into the hall in front of the penthouse, my hands started to shake and I seriously worried I might throw up.
Viktor opened the door and led me into our home.
The smell of paint still hung in the air.
Even though the memories of what happened here were still strong, it didn’t feel as ominous or oppressive as I’d feared.
It was just… our home. Viktor placed something in my hand and I felt along it, realizing he’d given me a cane.
“I had it delivered on our way back from Las Vegas. Maybe if I’d given it to you before I left that day…”
I pressed my hand to his chest. “No, Viktor. I’ve told you it wasn’t your fault.”
The gesture was sweet, and one I appreciated. The cane might have been handy at the beach, except he hadn’t permitted me to walk very much. Viktor had watched over me carefully, and done his best to help me rest and heal.
“Come, myshka . There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
I used my cane to navigate the new layout and followed Viktor into the bedroom, his steps loud on the wood floors.
A man in his position had to be able to move quietly and swiftly.
I’d learned that he was noisier for my benefit, and it touched me, deeply.
He drew me down onto the bed. The bedding even felt different.
Softer. I ran my hand over the bedspread, trying to distract myself.
“Cerys, you’re safe. I’ve made sure no one will ever get to you again.”
I nodded. He’d told me as much several times while I was in the hospital. He’d hired extra security for our floor, as well as the building, and installed an alarm on the elevator to alert us to anyone even getting off on this floor, as well as inside the penthouse.
“I’m not a good man. Never will be. I’ve killed people, and I’ll do it again. But meeting you, having you in my life, has changed me. I always used women and tossed them away, never caring about more than getting off.”
I tried to look away, but he gripped my chin.
Even though I couldn’t see him, he wanted me to look at him for whatever he had to say.
The last thing I wanted to hear about were the women who had come before me.
I’d known he wasn’t a virgin, but it didn’t mean I wanted it thrown in my face.
It was silly to be jealous of them, but I was.
Viktor was mine, at least in my heart and mind.
“ Myshka , I’ve never met anyone like you before. You’re sweet, innocent. My angel. You’re the light to my darkness.”
My chest ached and I found myself leaning toward him.
He’d called himself dark before, but I didn’t see him that way.
To me, he was the man who had pulled me away from an abusive father.
There were times he was cold and a little distant, but others…
The other times, he made me feel warm and cherished.
“Cerys, I don’t know what love feels like, so I can’t say that I love you.
I won’t say those words without knowing that’s what I feel.
But I can tell you that no one has ever meant as much to me as you do.
Without you, the darkness will swallow me whole and never let go.
You give me a reason to keep going, a reason to come home.
” He ran his fingers through my hair. “You mean everything to me, myshka . Bringing you home with me that day was the best decision I ever made.”
“I love you, Viktor. I don’t expect you to say it back.
It’s crazy that I fell for you so fast and hard.
We barely know one another! When Artur took me, it made me realize what you meant to me.
Then all those days in the hospital, and our trip afterward.
I loved hearing about your life in Russia, enjoyed finding out about your favorite books, that you dislike TV shows, and have never had a pet. I feel like we grew closer.”
He took my hand and lifted it, kissing the back. “Are you still hurting?”
My heart rate sped up. Was he asking because he wanted me? It felt like forever since he’d last made me cry out in pleasure. I couldn’t call it making love, but it wasn’t just fucking either. It was special, unique, like our relationship. Something that was just us.
“No. The bleeding stopped five days ago and all the tenderness is gone.”
I’d been lucky and hadn’t suffered any broken bones.
The doctor had called it a miracle. I had to agree considering the beating I’d received.
After the tests had concluded and I’d rested a little, I’d remembered the gunshots and asked about Mac.
Viktor had assured me the doctor was recovering and would be fine.
He was also being compensated for having helped me.
Viktor ran his fingers along my jaw, his touch light. “I want you, myshka , but not if it will hurt you.”
“Just go slow?” I asked. I wanted him too, but I was a little nervous. The doctor had said it wasn’t a good idea to try to have a baby again, not so soon. I wasn’t sure how to bring it up to Viktor. He’d been in the room at the time, but did he remember?
“Want a shower? Or maybe a bath?”
I hesitated a moment. Did he intend to join me? Shower sex was nice, but it wasn’t what I’d had in mind. Not after not being that close to him for so long.
His lips softly brushed mine. “I’m not stripping you naked and bending you over, myshka . We have all night. For that matter, we have the rest of our lives. You’re more to me than sex, Cerys.”
I reached up and fingered my hair. It was a little oily and needed a good scrubbing. At the beach, I hadn’t washed it every day. There’d been little point when the salty air would just make it feel icky again.
“A shower would be nice.”
“Wait here and I’ll get the water warmed.”
I felt the bed shift as he stood and heard his steps as he entered the bathroom.
The shower turned on and after a few minutes, he returned for me, helping me stand.
Viktor undressed me, taking his time. When I was completely bare, he led me into the bathroom and helped me into the shower stall.
I didn’t hear the door shut and a moment later I knew why.
His hands slid around my waist as he pulled me back against his chest. His hard cock nestled along the crack of my ass, but he didn’t make a move to do anything other than hold me.
“It felt like my heart was ripped from my chest when I saw the blood on our bed and on the floor. Knowing he’d taken you, hurt you, tore me up. I can’t live through that again, myshka .”