Chapter 21 - Viktor
I can't believe the girls could be so irresponsible, especially Riley, after everything she has been through with the Vultures gang. All for what? A shopping trip? Clothes? It makes me furious. Riley doesn't sleep with me, preferring to stay in her room on the opposite side of the hall. As I lie in bed after everything that happened, I can't help but wonder if keeping the information about Anton's attack by the Vultures was the right decision. I didn't want to tell her because I was afraid of triggering her trauma, but maybe by not telling her, I gave her a false sense of security.
I feel terrible, and I want to go to her room, knock, and make up, but I know she doesn't want to talk to me right now, and I don't want to pressure her. I can't sleep, tossing and turning. I'm so used to having Riley's warmth beside me that the bed feels empty and cold without her. I was so excited when we finally made love, and now she's so distant.
I give her space during the week, trying to figure out how best to give her all the information about the Vultures so she knows what we're facing. We eat our meals together, but she doesn't say anything—not even goodnight or good morning. She studies in silence, no longer stealing glances at me. When she's not working at her desk, she retreats to her room with her textbooks to read. Holing up there away from me. It depresses me. I've always been able to get the girl, I've always been confident and suave, and now I feel like a puppy that lost its toy.
After a few days, there's a knock at my office door. At first, I'm excited because I think it's Riley. Then, I realize she wouldn't knock. I sigh. “What now?”
“I came to apologize,” she says softly. “You haven't spoken to me since the other day.”
“Things have been tense,” I admit quietly. I never could stay mad at my little sister. “It's not because I've been mad at you. Even if you were irresponsible.”
“I'm sorry,” she says sullenly. “When Gwen said that Riley wanted to go shopping for something nice to wear for you, I thought it would be a great bonding time for us.”
“Something nice to wear for me?”
“She had a whole dinner planned,” Anya admits softly. “Didn't she tell you?”
“She's not speaking to me currently,” I say. I sigh. This is just great. Riley had planned something special for us and I completely ruined it. I don't even know what she's more upset about—me shouting at Anya or me raising my voice at her. She didn't actually say. Probably mad at me for everything that’s happened.
“Do you want me to talk to her?” Anya offers, sitting in the armchair in front of my desk.
“No, I should make it right. You say she planned a special dinner?” I ask.
“Yes, she was going to cook for you.”
“Perhaps I should do it for her. Maybe then she'll speak to me.” I rub my temples. “Anya, I know you meant well, but it's very dangerous at the moment. I need you to be safe and keep the other girls safe. No more spontaneous shopping trips or any trips. Always take more guards than you think is necessary.”
“Yes, Viktor,” she says softly. I can see she's still hurt. I get up and walk around to her.
“Hey, come on. I'm not mad, okay? I was just worried at the time, and I lost my cool. I know you meant well.” I kneel beside her and hug her tightly.
She wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me back.
We simply stay there for a moment, embracing. Eventually, Anya pulls away from me and wipes her eyes. “She likes Greek food. She said so while we were out.”
I smile softly. “Maybe some Shawarma's then. A Shawarma bar. Where she can build her own. I'll get Rachel to get the ingredients.” I stand up and help Anya to her feet. “Off you go. I have to work now. I'll be past to come visit you soon.”
Anya nods and leaves, and I sit back behind my desk. I text Rachel a list of ingredients and ask her to go get them. Then, I give her the afternoon off and say I will cook dinner.
She responds in the affirmative, and I go back to work. Anton has emailed me detailed plans for a new shipment, and I need to make sure it goes off without a hitch. I go over every detail, messaging the key players to arrange everything. I arrange extra security in case someone tries to hit us. I make the necessary bribe payments through offshore accounts to grease the wheels of the system so no one stops us.
I work for a few hours before I realize it's getting really close to dinnertime. I go downstairs and fire up everything. I take the meat out of the fridge and season it. While it cooks, I chop up cucumber, cabbage, tomato, carrots, and eggplant. I fry the eggplant in a separate pan and once everything is ready, I lay it out on the dining room table.
I warm up the pitas and bring through the hummus and tzatziki.
It smells amazing, and I hope it tempts Riley. I go to the stairs and call, “Riley, dinner's ready.”
I hear her door open, and I go to sit down. She comes downstairs and stops at the door. “What's this?” she asks, the first words she has said to me all week.
“I made dinner,” I say. “I thought you might enjoy some Greek food. It isn't traditional by any means; I cheated. But it should taste good.”
“Hmmm,” she hums. She comes to the table and sits down.
I jump up. “I forgot the wine. I'll be right back. Red or white?”
I look at her hopefully and she sighs. “Red.”
“Good choice,” I say. I go get two wine glasses and a bottle of my finest red wine and bring it back to the table. I uncork it and pour us each a glass. “Please dish up.”
She picks up a pita bread, and I watch as she spreads hummus on it. She fills it with all the options before adding tzatziki. I wait for her to finish before making one for myself. She takes a bite, and I hear the faintest moan escape her lips. I suppress a smile and take a bite of mine. It really does taste good. We eat in a more comfortable silence. It's not as tense, and Riley keeps glancing at me.
“Anya was here today,” I say. “I made amends with her.”
“Good,” Riley says. “Then maybe we can discuss what's been on my mind.”
“Riley, I'm sorry I shouted,” I say calmly. “I was just worried.”
“I understand that. Believe me, I know fear better than any other emotion I've ever experienced. But that's why we need to talk. I've spent the week thinking long and hard about this.”
I sip my wine, now worried that she might suggest leaving. I can't let her do that. I can't lose her. My feelings for her are intense, and I dare say I'm in love with her.
“Riley…”
She holds up her hand. “I want to learn some self-defense.”
I look at her, stunned. “Sorry?”
“I want to learn to defend myself. So that when I'm in a situation where I'm unsafe, I'm not afraid and I can proactively take care of myself. Can you hire someone to teach me to defend myself?” She looks very serious and I nod.
“I won't hire someone. I will teach you myself. Like I was taught.” I finish my food and sit, sipping my wine. “Does this mean you're not afraid anymore?”
“I'm terrified, but I don't want to huddle in a corner,” she says. “I don't want to be useless when something happens and wait for someone to rescue us. I want to rescue myself if I can.”
“Not every situation will allow for that,” I admit. “Sometimes people just have the upper hand.”
“I know,” she says. “But I want to at least have a chance.”
“Does this mean we're talking again?” I ask curiously.
“Maybe,” she says, sipping her wine. “Maybe after another Shawarma.” She reaches for another pita bread and I grin.
I finish my wine and set the glass down. “Does this mean you'll return to our bedroom?”
“Only if you don't snore,” she says, looking into my eyes. “And if you are genuinely sorry for shouting at us. All of us.”
“I am,” I say. “I really am sorry. I wish I had let calmer heads prevail, but I was so worried, and then I heard about the shootout. I could have lost you, Anya, and Gwen.”
Riley sighs. “I know,” she sets her food down. “But we honestly didn't think they would attack us in public like that.”
“Well, now you all know, nowhere is safe. They don't care about hurting other people to get to the people we love. To get to us. I need you to promise me that we'll have open communication from now on. If you want to surprise me, then at least tell Anton or Roman. Okay?”
“You knew I wanted to surprise you?”
“Anya let it slip.” I smile. “What did you buy to wear for me?”
“Maybe I'll show you tonight,” she teases.
I pour us each another glass of wine and prepare myself another pita.