Chapter 21
Georgi
Tears form in her eyes, and intense gratefulness overshadows all her other emotions. “My mother was the last person who saw me.” She rubs her chest as if her heart physically aches. “After she died, it all changed.”
I tilt my head and keep my tone gentle as I ask, “What happened to her?”
I know it’s dark when her expression turns somber.
“Boris ordered me to have sex with Anton, and my mother tried to protect me, so he beat her to death right in front of me. I tried to help. I jumped on his back and pounded my fists against him, but it didn’t help.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
Rage pours through my veins, and I vow I will make that fucking bastard suffer tenfold.
Nina’s features relax into a blank stare, and I know I’ve lost her to the memory.
Even her voice sounds empty as she continues, “My mother’s body wasn’t even cold, her blood still wet on the floor when Anton came.
I was dragged to my bedroom, where he tore my clothes off.
The shame I felt for being naked in front of a man for the first time was quickly replaced by emotions I have no words for as he took my virginity.
Pain. Revulsion. Anguish. Hopelessness. None of those explain what I felt… what I’ve experienced for years.”
I keep quiet, not wanting to interrupt Nina.
“After my first scream, Anton seemed to lose his mind, and the evil that lives in him tried to rip me apart. I stayed on my bedroom floor for two days, drifting between shock and emptiness. That’s when Tanya interacted with me for the first time.
She came into my room and hauled me off the floor.
Still reeling from being raped and in so much pain, my legs were numb, I was forced to shower and get dressed, because Anton was coming again, and I had to get ready. ”
She inhales a deep breath and comes out of the haze she was in, and blinking, she meets my eyes. “Things fell into a routine after that. I’d lure men to their deaths. Boris would torture them, and I’d have to tend to their wounds, making sure they stayed alive until he was ready to kill them.”
Between surges of rage and a desperate need to feel those fuckers blood seep through my fingers, my heart breaks for Nina.
Before I forget, I growl, “Who the fuck is Tanya?”
“The woman you shot right before you jumped after Simi. My father’s whore. She was responsible for watching Simi.”
It gives me some satisfaction knowing I got to kill the bitch.
Nina scoots a little closer, and the traumatized look in her eyes lessens until it changes into gratitude.
“Thank you for risking your life and saving my daughter.” She lifts her hand, placing it on my shoulder, then hesitates for several seconds before she leans in and presses a soft kiss to my cheek.
When she pulls away, I smile at her. “Think about it, Nina. I was willing to die for a child I didn’t know. How much more do you think I’ll do for someone I care about?”
She lets my words sink in, and it eases more of the ever-present tension in her body.
Suddenly, the elevator doors open, and as Santino comes in for his usual security check at three am, it frightens the hell out of Nina.
Jumping to her feet, she grabs the first aid kit and runs away as if hellhounds are nipping at her heels.
“Sorry, I didn’t know you’d still be up,” Santino says.
“It’s okay. We should head to bed,” I reply as I climb to my feet.
His eyes flick over my body as he comes closer. “You look like shit, Georgi.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.” I chuckle as I gesture at the elevator. “I’m fine. Go back to bed.”
Ignoring me, he tips his chin in the direction of the kitchen where Nina is hiding. “How do I handle her?”
“With kid gloves,” I mutter, the playfulness disappearing from my tone.
“Besides you and my dad, no man is allowed to be alone with her. In fact, the guards don’t talk to her unless it’s a life and death situation.
” I lift my hand and place it on his shoulder.
“I know it’s going to be an adjustment for you, but I’m putting you in charge of her and Simi’s safety because there’s no one else I trust.”
Not hiding his worry, he asks, “And what about you?”
“I’ll keep Frankie and Al with me. It’s time I give them a promotion anyway.”
Santino nods, and as he begins to turn to leave, I grip his shoulder tighter. “Wait. Come with me to the kitchen.”
When we walk into the room, Nina’s standing on the other side of the island. The instant her eyes lock on Santino, she pales horribly.
“It’s okay,” I say to set her at ease while I quickly move around the island to get to her.
“Santino will guard you and Simi when I’m not around.
” When her frightened gaze remains locked on him, I take hold of her chin and tip her face up so she’ll look at me.
“Santino is safe, Nina. You don’t have anything to fear from him. Understand?”
My head of security earns a million brownie points with me when he comes closer and holds his hand out to Nina while keeping his tone very respectful and soft, “Hi, Nina. I’ll do everything in my power to protect you and your daughter. If you’re important to Georgi, then you’re important to me.”
Tentatively, she places her much smaller hand in his. “H-hi, Santino.”
He lets go of her and says, “I’ll leave you be.”
“We’re going out tomorrow…today. I’m taking my girls shopping.”
“What time?” he asks.
“Around lunch.”
“I’ll have the men ready.” As he walks away, he calls out, “The two of you better get some sleep.”
I place my hand on Nina’s back and ask, “You okay?”
She looks surprised at the question. “Yes. Sorry, when I saw him…I just…”
“I know. It’s going to take some time for you to get used to your new life, and there will be glitches. We’ll work through them as and when they happen.”
“Okay.”
“Just for your peace of mind. None of my men would dare hurt you. Abusing women isn’t something my family tolerates, and by family, I mean the Cosa Nostra.”
She nods, then her gaze drifts over my chest. “Santino is right. You need to get some sleep.”
“You too, Nina.”
I nudge her back so she’ll start walking, and as we head to the stairs, I shift my hand to her nape, my thumb brushing over her skin and soft hair behind her ear.
Reaching her bedroom, I let go. “Sleep well, printsesa.” I bend at the waist and press a kiss to the top of her head before walking to my room.
As I turn to shut my door, I see her standing where I left her, looking at me as if she wants to say something.
Gripping the handle, I wait, and as the seconds pass, something changes the air between us until it feels like every particle is vibrating.
Finally, she gives in and whispers, “Simi’s right.
You’re our prince. I feel very lucky to have met you, Georgi, and I want you to know…
” She swallows on her nerves. “I want you to know I saw you in the basement. Not the mafia boss. Not my father’s enemy.
I think I already knew you were different from all the other men, and that’s why I wanted you to live. ”
Her words crawl deep into my heart, warming parts of it I didn’t know were there.
She opens her door, and as she steps into the room, I say, “Nina.” I wait for her to look at me before asking, “Did you show the other men Boris kept in the basement the same care you’ve given me?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “Not even close. I did what was needed to keep them alive. I never talked to them, didn’t loosen their restraints, and didn’t risk my life by giving them water.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “And no massages?”
“Definitely not.”
I can’t stop a pleased grin from spreading over my face. “Good.”
When she shuts the door, I stare at it for a moment longer before I turn in for the night.
Nina
“Mama,” Simi’s whisper pulls me out of my sleep. “Mama, are you awake?” When I let out a groan and rub my cheek against the pillow, she shakes my shoulder. “Mama, it’s time to wake up. Georgi is waiting. I want to go to the toy store.”
My eyes pop open, and realizing it’s the first morning I’ve been woken by my daughter, I’m hit with a tidal wave of emotions. I sit up, and pulling her into a hug, I pepper her face with kisses. “Are you excited, milo moe?” I ask as I begin to tickle her sides.
“Ahhhh!!!” she screams at the top of her lungs. Just as laughter explodes from her, our bedroom door slams open, and Georgi storms inside.
I freeze while Simi still laughs her little head off, and it only takes a second for Georgi to realize my daughter is not being tortured.
I take in how powerful and attractive he looks, wearing an emerald green silk shirt and dark gray chinos.
He presses a hand to his heart and calms down before coming closer and stealing Simi right from under me.
“You gave me a heart attack,” he tells her, his tone playful as he taps the tip of her nose.
“Mama tickled me,” Simi replies, a happy smile on her face.
“Like so?” he asks, right before he tickles her side. She squirms and laughs, the sight food for my soul.
Georgi presses a kiss to her head before he sets her down on the bed. “Get ready so we can go.”
“I already ate. Georgi gave me an egg in a cup. And toast.” She jumps on the bed, too excited to stay still. “Come, Mama. Hurry!”
I quickly get up, patting a hand over my disheveled hair.
“Remember to get pajamas today,” Georgi says, drawing my attention to him. “I want to burn that outfit.”
Then he turns around and leaves.
For the next twenty minutes, Simi talks my ear off while we get ready. Well, as ready as we’ll ever be. She’s wearing another tracksuit, and I’ve just put on a clean T-shirt.
I’ve braided both our hair so it won’t get in the way, and as we leave the bedroom, my daughter’s hand in mine, I feel excitement beginning to unfurl in my chest.
“Why did you sleep so long?” Simi asks as we slowly take the stairs down so she doesn’t fall. “Georgi said not to wake you. Will the big bear still be at the store? And the castle?”
Georgi gave her breakfast and wanted me to sleep in.