Chapter 15
Nina
“Tell us what happened,” one of the other men says, drawing my attention away from Simi.
Thankfully, she doesn’t understand English, but I can’t stop myself from listening to the conversation.
“You know what happened. I was taken, tortured, and now I’m fine.”
“Why did you bring the woman and child?” another man asks.
I bristle, ducking my head a little and praying to a God who’s never listened to me before.
Don’t let this get ugly in front of Simi.
“I took them.”
“What are you going to do with them?” This time it’s Mr. Torrisi speaking.
“They’ll live with me. They’re mine, so just drop the subject. I won’t tolerate a single argument regarding the matter.”
His.
It terrifies me because I don’t know what it means for Simi and me.
“Fine. What are we going to do about Boris Pavlov?”
“And Anton Belinksi,” Georgi adds. “I’ve told Rosie to find out everything about the fucker. I’m going to take a couple of days to heal before hunting them.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re taking some time to get better,” Raya suddenly joins the conversation. Then I’m surprised when she asks, “If Nina and Simi are going to stay with you, can I get to know them?”
“I’d like that.”
Georgi’s tone is much softer, and it has me sneaking a peek at his face. Seeing the warm smile he’s giving his sister, I feel a pang of loss for something I haven’t had since Mom died.
“Nina is here to stay,” he adds with finality in his voice. “I’d appreciate it if you all made her feel welcome.”
“Introduce us,” one of the other men says.
“Nina.” I lift my head obediently, and Georgi gestures at the two men who seem to be around his age. “That’s Augusto Vitale and Adriano Rizzo. They’re my best friends and also capos. You’ve met my father, Renzo Torrisi, and my sister, Raya.”
Capos.
That’s all I hear right before there’s a rushing sound as my heart speeds up dangerously fast.
“No, don’t be scared,” Georgi says. “You’re under my protection.”
I don’t believe that for a single second.
“What information did they try to get out of you?” Mr. Torrisi asks.
“Our routes and contacts. Which ports we used, and what the meeting with Atanas was about.”
“And?”
A frown forms on Georgi’s forehead as he locks eyes with his father. “And what?”
“Did you tell them anything?”
Georgi’s quiet for a moment, then he turns his head to look at me. “When you drugged me, did I give any information?”
I quickly shake my head. “No. You were quiet at first, but then you slipped into a hallucination or bad memory about a fire.”
His eyes narrow slightly. “What did I say about it?”
I swallow hard, keeping my eyes on him. Looking at the other men is just too unnerving. “Ah…you said you couldn’t wake them. I don’t know who. You called for Raya and turned very aggressive when the guards or Boris came near you.” A breath quivers over my lips. “You lunged at me.”
His expression darkens. “Did I hurt you?”
I shake my head. “No, I jumped out of the way before you could get to me.”
“Good.” He exhales a relieved breath that leaves me utterly stunned.
He looks genuinely glad that he didn’t hurt me.
“Are you okay reliving that night?” Raya asks.
Georgi nods. “I can’t remember what I saw while I was drugged.”
“Hold up,” Adriano mutters. “She drugged you?” He levels me with such an intimidating look, I shrivel into my seat.
Oh shit.
“She had no choice,” Georgi informs them. “Whatever part she played in my abduction, captivity, and torture was to keep her daughter safe.”
“Yeah? That makes me worry about what else she would do,” Augusto says. “Like killing you in your sleep?”
“No.” The word bursts from me in a surge of panic. If they think I’m a threat, they’ll kill me right now.
Georgi lets out a chuckle. “Seriously. You think this five-foot-nothing woman can take me down?” Another chuckle. “Please. That’s insulting. Besides, she could’ve tried last night, and she didn’t.”
“There’s always tomorrow,” Adriano mutters. “Maybe she let you take her so she can get a front row seat to how the Cosa Nostra operates.”
NoNoNo!
The humor vanishes from Georgi’s face, and he leans forward, his tone harsh. “You have no fucking idea what she’s endured in that house of horrors. Back the fuck off. I won’t have any of you scaring her.”
The tension in the air thickens so much that it makes my fear spiral out of control.
Right now Georgi is defending me, and it has me doing something I would never do under different circumstances. I press close to him and try to hide behind his right arm.
He instantly notices, and lifting his arm, he wraps it around my shoulders, turning his body to block out everyone else.
Dropping his voice to a whisper, he says, “Shh…I won’t let anything happen to you.
” He pulls me closer into a hug, and I’m filled with so much desperation and fear, I clutch his shirt in my fist and beg, “Please. I’ll do anything you want.
Anything. Just don’t let them kill me. Don’t let them hurt Simi. ”
“Hey…” He takes hold of my chin and nudges my face up so we can make eye contact. “Don’t worry about shit like that. You are safe, Nina. I swear to all that’s holy, you and Simi are safe with me.”
I give him a pleading look, as I continue to clutch his shirt, then he leans into me and presses his forehead to mine.
“Deep breaths. You’re going to hyperventilate. There’s nothing to fear. I’m right here, and with the shackles gone, I can and will protect you.” He rubs one of his large hands up and down my arm and over my back. “Just take a deep breath for me.”
The panic retreats enough for me to listen, and getting air into my lungs, I calm down until I become aware of my surroundings again.
A pleased smile tugs at Georgi’s lips, then he gives me a hug before pulling back and letting go of me.
“You should drink some tea.” Raya comes closer, holding a cup out to me.
When I take it from her, she sits down beside Simi, who’s looking at me with knitted eyebrows and her bottom lip jutting out.
“Mama’s okay, milo moe. I was just feeling sick again.”
Raya leans closer to Simi and grins at her. “Show me what you’re drawing?”
Simi looks at her, then bluntly asks, “Who are you?”
“I’m Raya, Georgi’s sister.”
My child’s eyes widen. “Are you also a princess? Like me?”
Raya lets out a chuckle. “Yes.”
“Can you also fly like Georgi?”
Not understanding, she shakes her head and gives her brother a questioning look.
In English, Georgi explains, “I jumped after her when a fucker dropped her over a banister on the third floor.”
“What?” Raya gasps. “That’s insane! I hope you killed him.”
“Nina shot him.”
Raya turns her attention back to my daughter. “No, I can’t fly like Georgi. He’s much stronger than me.”
“He’s stronger than everyone,” Simi says in a very serious tone. “He’s my prince, and he’s taking me to his castle. He said so.” She looks at Georgi. “Right? Tell her.”
“Yes, I’m taking you to my castle. It’s high up in the sky.”
“Really?”
Simi wiggles out from under her seat belt, climbs off her seat and comes to Georgi, then proceeds to try to climb onto his lap.
I think because he saved her from falling, he’s her hero, and I don’t have the heart to tell her otherwise.
Georgi lifts her, and when she’s comfortable, she leans against his chest and begins to rub his shirt between her fingers.
“I feel sick. Like Mama,” she mumbles.
I lean over Georgi and rub her back, giving her a worried look. “Do you feel like you’re going to vomit?”
She shakes her head. “No, I feel the scared kind of sick. I want a hug too.”
My heart.
Georgi doesn’t hesitate and wraps my daughter up in a hug while dropping kisses on her hair. “You’re safe now, malkata mi printsesa. There will be no more monsters. I’ll protect you from them.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
As I stare at Simi looking for comfort in Georgi’s arms, I realize I will do anything the man asks of me if he continues to treat her with such kindness.
Georgi glances at me, and I don’t know what he sees, but he moves his right hand and covers both of mine, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Drink your tea, mishle.”
“Mama’s not a little mouse,” Simi says, before laughing.
“You’re right.” Georgi chuckles with her. “What should I call her?”
“Hmm…” Simi thinks for a moment, then grins up at Georgi. “I’m your little princess, and Mama is your princess.”
I swear you can hear a pin drop in the cabin following Simi’s words.
Feeling like this situation is getting away from me, I reach for her, but Georgi shakes his head at me, then turns his attention back to her. “You’re right. I’ll remember that.”
Simi gets comfortable against his chest while I remain tense beside them.
Maybe I should stop these interactions between them. It will break Simi if Georgi doesn’t keep his promises. She’s already suffered too much.
“Relax,” Georgi suddenly says to me. “Sit back and try to get some rest. You’re exhausted and only dozed off for ten minutes earlier.” When I don’t respond, he adds, “We’re in the air, Nina. Simi won’t go anywhere. Get some sleep.”
I glance over the other men, and when my gaze falls on Raya, she smiles. “If Simi needs anything, I’ll help.”
I’ve only known Georgi for five days, and Raya is a complete stranger.
Simi might trust them, but I don’t. I know better.
Georgi
Once things are calm again, Dad asks, “Will Raya handle everything while you take some time off?”
As I continue to rub my thumb softly over the middle of Simi’s back, I nod at my father. “Yes.” My gaze turns to my sister. “Raya knows the business inside out. I know she can run it smoothly.”
She smiles at me, beaming from the faith I have in her.
“Your mother is going to want to see you the moment you get home,” Dad warns me. “I don’t know how you’re going to explain the woman and child to her.”
“Good luck with that,” Augusto says, letting out a chuckle.
“Mom will understand,” I reply. “Tell her to go to my place with food. Lots of food.” I glance down and notice Simi has fallen asleep. “Oh, and desserts. Have her stop at the store and get snacks that are good for a child. Simi likes cheese.”
“Now I’m making a shopping list for you?” Dad grumbles while pulling his phone out of his pocket. “Do it yourself and send it to your mother.”
I glance down at the sweet girl in my lap, then lift an eyebrow at him. “My hands are full.”
Dad mutters something under his breath, then says, “Fine. Give me the list.”
“I already did. Food. Desserts. Healthy snacks. Cheese.” Grinning at my father, who shoots me a glare, I feel a sense of normalcy returning to my life. “Oh, and juice.” Right after that thought, they keep coming. “Probably clothes. Toys. All the stuff you bought when you brought Raya and me home.”
Dad’s eyes soften for a moment as he remembers the adoption, then he says, “Got it.”
I turn my head to ask Nina if she needs anything, but seeing she’s finally fallen asleep, I let out a relieved sigh.
I’m not going to lie, I’m fucking worried about her. I only saw what her life was like for four days, and that alone was a horror show.
I’m worried she’ll never be able to recover.
“Your mom says she’ll make sure everything is at the penthouse when you get home. She’s roping Tori and Eden in to help.”
Looking at Dad again, I grin. “Tell her I appreciate it.”
As he types out a text, Adriano gets up and comes to crouch beside me while Augusto is on a call with someone.
My friend tips his head at Simi. “Are you sure about this, brother? You’ve just been through a very traumatic experience, and your life doesn’t cater for a woman and a child. You won’t be able to fuck around like you used to.”
“Aren’t you happy. I’ll leave your strippers alone,” I joke.
A frown forms on his forehead, so I add, “I’m dead sure.
” Knowing Nina is asleep, I admit, “She risked everything for me by setting me free, and before that she took chances that would’ve cost her severely if she was caught.
” I swallow hard on the sick feeling the memory brings up.
“And we went through something together that bonded us.” With absolute certainty, I say, “Nina and Simi now belong to me. Nothing will change my mind.”
He nods, then places his hand on my shoulder as he rises to his full height. “Just checking. You know I’m only looking out for you.”
“I know.”
When Adriano returns to his seat, my sight falls on Raya, who’s staring at me.
“How are you doing?” I ask her. “What happened while I was gone?”
“I’m…” She shakes her head, her chin quivering. “It was the worst four days of my life, Georgi. I thought I was going to lose my mind.”
When a tear rolls down her cheek, I say, “Dad.” Getting his attention, I nod at my sister. “Hug her for me.”
Dad gets up and moves Simi’s notepad and crayons out of the way before sitting down and pulling Raya into his arms. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Daddy’s got you.”
Raya lets go of the tension she’s been holding back and sobs softy against Dad’s chest while keeping her eyes locked on me.
“I’m fine,” I say, my tone gentle and loving. “I’m here, Raya.”
“I was so scared,” she whispers. “After the first two days, I thought you’d been killed. I never want to feel that loss again.”
Emotion wells in my chest, and I tilt my head, just keeping eye contact with my sister. “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Suddenly, Nina grips my right arm, and when my head snaps to her, she’s shaking her head, her breath speeding up fast.
“Don’t look!” she cries.
Remembering the harrowing screams from her having nightmares, I keep my left arm steady around Simi while I reach my right one across Nina’s lap, giving her thigh a firm shake. “Wake up, Nina.”
I don’t want her screaming like that in front of everyone.
Luckily, her eyes pop open, but they’re filled with so much horror, it takes a brutal swing at my heart.
“Hey, it’s okay. It was a bad dream,” I say, hoping to set her at ease.
Her gaze locks on Dad, then she inhales sharply. Pulling her legs up, she pushes her face into the narrow space between my arm and the seat, as if she’s trying to worm her way behind me so she can hide.
I begin to rub up and down the outside of her leg, listening as she sucks in deep breaths, but the next instant, I hear a smothered sob.
Turning my head, I whisper, “I’m here. You’re safe.”
She nods, but stays hidden behind my arm, and it only makes me feel even more protective of her.
It also gives me hope. While Nina’s dazed from the nightmare, she turned to me for safety.