Chapter 13 #2
At least we’d found quiet respite, allowing all of us time to heal. I’d been forced to realize that while my distrust of people had allowed me to remain alive and functioning, my ability to forge a friendship with Travis had likely saved my life.
As well as Chloe’s.
I owed him many things. At some point I’d return the favor.
“How’s the patient?”
The sound of Chloe’s voice sent tingles down the back of my legs.
She’d been by my side, nurturing my wounds since we’d arrived at the new location.
More important, we’d talked, although I still couldn’t bring myself to explain portions of my life.
Maybe I didn’t want to remember certain aspects that had haunted me for so long.
Or maybe I just didn’t want to jade her in any way.
I turned to face her, surprised to see her wearing a dress. My heated gaze made her blush, the look of embarrassment on her face endearing. “You look amazing.”
“I’m just lucky I’m the same size as Travis’ friend. I don’t know why I put it on.” Chloe looked away, her eyes narrowing. “I was thinking of opening a bottle of wine. I didn’t know if you’d like to share some with me.”
She seemed more tentative than normal, uncertain of herself. It reminded me of the first time I’d met her, the shy girl with the beautiful smile and sparkling eyes.
“I’d love to share a glass with you.”
“Okay, I’ll go get it.” As she walked off toward the kitchen, Travis appeared as if he’d been listening in. The damn grin on his face made me roll my eyes.
“Don’t start, Trav.”
“Hey, I’m not starting anything.” He inched closer. “Do you know what you’re going to do?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“When are you leaving?”
I snorted. “It’s that obvious?”
“Pretty much so. From what little you’ve told me you’re never going to find that peace until you figure out what the hell is going on.”
“Yes. Sadly, I’m uncertain I want to find out.”
“I think you do. You just don’t want to leave in order to make that happen.” He hesitated as he looked toward the kitchen. “In truth, I don’t blame you one bit. She’s really something special.”
There were so many thoughts running through my mind, wishes and regrets, but at this point, there was little else I could do if I wanted to find any kind of solace.
Or retaliation.
He patted me on the shoulder. “Do what you gotta do but try and remember that you do have a home in a community who adores you. Well, maybe that’s the students who adore you.” Laughing, he walked away just as Chloe returned, two glasses of wine in her hand. When she noticed Travis, she blushed.
“I’m sorry. Would you like to join us for a glass of wine?” she asked.
Travis winked before turning toward her. “Not a chance. I think you two need to spend some quality time alone. Just pretend like I’m not here.”
A smile crossed my face as he started whistling, his step lighter than I’d seen since our arrival. Then he disappeared, leaving Chloe and I entirely alone.
She seemed hesitant before walking closer, slowly handing me the wine. When our fingers touched, the reaction was the same as it had been every time.
Electrified.
“I don’t know if you noticed, but there’s a lovely swing on the front porch. Maybe we could go outside for a little while.” A nervous laugh slipped past her lips. All I could concentrate on was the way the dress highlighted the tops of her voluptuous breasts.
My cock began to swell, my balls tightening. I took a deep breath then nodded. “I think we can do that.”
“No boogeymen?”
“Not today.”
A bright smile crossed her face before she walked toward the front door, swinging it open and taking a deep breath of the late afternoon sun. The days had been slightly warmer, the bright sun just another reminder that there was life outside of violence and revenge.
I followed her outside, taking a seat on the old-fashioned hanging swing. I’d never felt so damn awkward and out of place in my life. Yet the moment I sat down, I had an odd sense of being home and it was all about the beautiful creature sitting next to me.
We remained quiet for at least two full minutes. She pushed her feet against the deck, forcing the swing to move and in a few seconds, she seemed content to curl her legs under her and stare out at the natural landscaping.
“You’ve nursed me back to health for days, yet you haven’t told me how you’re doing.” I tried to keep my voice soft, to let her know that I was right by her side.
Shrugging, she took a sip of wine, licking the rim before swallowing.
“I’m not going to lie that being tied and gagged wasn’t horrifying, but all I could think about was you.
After the bastard knocked you unconscious, I thought I’d never see you again.
They laughed, only speaking in Russian, but I didn’t need to know the language to realize they were planning on whatever method of torture they were going to inflict.
Then they looked at me. There was hunger in Dimitri’s eyes.
I don’t think I can ever face the darkness without seeing his vile face. ”
“No man will ever hurt you again.”
“You can’t promise me that just like you can’t be there when the nightmares arrive. Being tied and helpless was worse because I knew I couldn’t help you. That tore me apart inside. I lost a part of me when that happened.”
“There’s no way you could have done anything, Chloe. They would have killed you.”
“Maybe so. When are you leaving?” she asked in a quiet voice, keeping her gaze pinned on the trees.
Inhaling, I hadn’t been prepared for her question. A part of me hadn’t wanted to address it at all, but she deserved to know the truth.
“Day after tomorrow.” I couldn’t promise her anything, but I did need her to remain safe. “You need to find another place to live.”
“That’s not fair, Nikolai. I have a life or at least I did up until a few days ago. I have school. Transferring wouldn’t be that easy.”
“I’m going to give you some money so you can start a new life.”
She tipped her head, her eyes piercing mine.
“I don’t want your money. If you honestly think that taking something from you will either make me feel any better or stop the pain in my heart, then you’re one hell of an idiot.
” Her words were said with tremendous fervor.
After saying them, her eyes opened wide and she laughed. “I’m sorry. That was harsh.”
“No, that was actually nice.” I swirled the wine in my glass, staring down at the deep red color.
I hated that it reminded me of blood. “You’re not going to fight me on this, Chloe.
Even though I’ve returned, I assure you that the Petrov family will want to exact revenge.
They know of your existence and they’ll want to hurt you. ”
“Because I’m your weakness.”
I took a few seconds before answering. “Yes. You are.”
“You can just make sure everybody knows that I was nothing to you, and you care nothing about me.”
There was such pain in her tone that it sent another dagger into my gut. “Is that what you think?”
“That you don’t care about me? Maybe. I don’t honestly know.
A part of what we just went through was horrifying, but the few times we were allowed to just be.
You know what I mean, to enjoy each other’s company was amazing.
However, I’m no fool. As soon as I realized who and what you were, I let go of the fairytale.
” She took a sip of wine, returning her gaze anywhere but in my direction.
“What’s your fairytale?”
Her face lit up. “You know what it is. I’m no different than any other girl out there.
I want my knight in shining armor fighting demons and dragons in order to come and rescue me.
Then my prince and I would spend the rest of our lives together.
In other words, the white picket fence surrounding a little house.
Maybe a quaint cottage, nothing too large.
I don’t need a big house, just a comfortable place to call home.
But I’d want a Golden Retriever.” She had a faraway look, using her hand as she gave me the perfect story.
“Yes, a big, beautiful baby boy. And a garden. We’d have to have a garden complete with those little decorative flags.
Maybe the house would have a wraparound porch so we could spend our nights gazing at the stars.
And a huge wreath on the door, so large that it fell half the time when the door was closed. ”
Sighing, she brushed her hand through her hair.
She could have no way of knowing what the words did to me. I wanted nothing more than to give her all those things. Damn it.
“That sounds amazing,” I managed.
“No, I’m certain to a man like you that sounds ridiculous.
” She snorted, shaking her head. “I’m sorry I’m such a stupid girl, but my house when I grew up wasn’t like that.
There was very little laughter and I never understood why my parents married in the first place.
They certainly never showed any affection.
I wasn’t allowed to have a pet. Neither was my brother.
We were expected to be perfect. I guess my brother and I failed.
” She took another sip of wine. “And I’m jabbering again. A bad habit when I’m nervous.”
“Why are you nervous?”
Swallowing, Chloe lowered her head, chewing on her bottom lip. A full minute passed, a slight flush creeping up from her neck to her cheeks. “I’m going to say something to you, and I know that you’re not going to want to hear it, but just allow me to say it without interruption. Okay?”
“All right.” My heart racing, I fisted my hand out of frustration.