Chapter 17 - Artyom
When Ninel passed out three days ago my heart plummeted. I scooped her into my arms and quickly exited the building.
Lev tried to get me to hand over Ninel so they could take her to one of their clinics. I reminded him that just like my sisters were his and Jaroslav's responsibility, Ninel was mine.
Reluctantly, Lev backed off but he demanded that I call him with an update.
I hopped into one of the SUVs while Yegor and the others hopped in the limousine to head home. Once we screeched to a halt in front I hurried with Ninel to our bedroom. She hadn't stirred once.
Gently, I placed her on the bed and removed her shoes. I went to get her pajamas, shorts and a thin strapped top. I quickly changed her into it and pulled the covers over her.
The past few days she hadn't been herself. She thought I didn't notice but I did. The way she hardly ate, how she used extra makeup because she was probably paler than usual and then Ruslan saying that after breakfast she'd usually just got to be till about four in the afternoon.
I ran a hand through my hair. I should've let her stay home and rest. I knew something was off. I should have just…
My thoughts were abruptly cut when Ninel groaned next to me. I turned to her and watched as she weakly tried to sit up and move the covers.
“Ninel, tell me what's wrong,” I said as I pushed the covers away from her and helped her sit up.
She looked up at me totally out of it and she opened her mouth to speak but instead she gagged and threw up on me, on herself and the bedding.
“I'm sorry.” Her glassy eyes frantically looked up at me, mortification on her face.
“It's ok, printsessa…”
Then she passed out again…
Before my mind could spiral into the many reasons why she probably hadn't told me that she was indeed ill…I quickly cleaned up myself, her and changed the bedding.
Once I was finished, I elevated her on the pillows in case she puked again. Then sat in the armchair next to the bed not wanting to leave her side in case she needed something.
Worried about her, I picked up my phone and dialled Kira. I knew it was late but I needed her help, which is something I had never asked of my sisters.
Because, Artie, asking for a woman's help means she's on the same level as you! And in Bratva women have and will always be below us! Have I taught you nothing?
Kira’s voice silenced my thoughts.
“Is Ninel ok? Are you at a clinic?” she asked as soon as she answered. Concern knitted in every word.
“I think she has a stomach bug. We're home. Kira,” I inhaled and blew out. “I need a favour.”
“Anything,” she responded, immediately.
“You don't even know what it is,” I countered, surprised.
“Artyom, you're my brother. You need me. I'll always be here for you.” She paused to let it sink in before she continued. “So, what do you need?”
“I'll need you to be here with Ninel when I can't be.”
“Sure, I can do that.”
“Kira…thank you.”
“You're welcome. And Artyom,” her voice softened, “thank you for trusting me.”
The line went dead.
By the next morning, I was tired. I had stayed up looking after Ninel. She hadn't woken up throughout the night.
I had showered and dressed about an hour ago and had already gotten her breakfast from the cook: ginger tea, oatmeal with a drizzle of honey, plain toast, some chicken broth and a bottle of room temperature water.
Just as I had placed the tray on the nightstand she stirred on the bed. Her eyes opened and then she focused on me.
“Hey…” I said softly as I sat next to her.
Slowly, she pushed herself into a sitting position. “Hey…I'm sorry about last night…” she said softly, not looking at me.
I lifted a brow. “What are you sorry about?”
She bit her lower lip. I removed it gently with my thumb and gently tilted her head so she’d look me in the eyes.
“Printessa, what are you sorry about?”
“That I ruined your night. You were supposed to be networking, creating new alliances…” she sighed, “Not leaving because of me.”
“Ninel, you didn't ruin anything. You're not well. So there's no need to be sorry.”
She nodded.
“I brought you breakfast. Take care of business in the bathroom, then you'll sit and eat.”
“Okay.”
Slowly, she slid to the edge of the bed. I stood and held out my hand to her and she took it standing more shakily than I liked.
“Ninel, do you need me to help you?” I asked, brows narrowed.
She stiffened. “No…I'm okay…” she glanced down at her clothing then at me.
“Did you change my clothes last night?”
“After you threw up on me, the bed and yourself. Would you have wanted to stay in the soiled gown?”
She shook her head, as her face flushed. “No…thank you.”
I watched as she inhaled and then released my hand and made her way slowly to the bathroom.
“Don't lock the door. In case I need to get to you,” I insisted, before she closed the door behind her.
I didn't hear the lock click and sighed. I watched the door like a hawk, listening for any sudden noises in the bathroom.
When she exited five minutes later, I let out the breath I hadn't realized I was holding. I helped her back into bed, and sat next to her with the tray.
“What would you like to start with?”
“I think the only thing I could stomach right now is the broth,” she said as she stretched her hand for the tray.
Ignoring her, I mixed up the broth, scooped some into the spoon and held it to her mouth, my hand under the spoon.
“I can feed myself.” She watched me warily.
“I know you can. Humor me.”
Ninel sighed and opened up, and I fed her. When the bowl had reached half and she looked at me. “I'm good.”
“Ninel, you basically ate flavored water for breakfast. Are you sure that's all you want?”
“I'm sure.” She closed her eyes and leaned back her head. The twitch in the jaw was subtle as well as the tightening of her arm across her stomach.
I didn't say anything. I opened the bottle of water.
“Ninel, here. Drink some of this.”
She opened her eyes as I opened the bottle of water.
I placed the water next to her mouth and she drank a bit before moving her head to the side. When I removed the bottle a single droplet of water lingered on her lip. I brushed it away with my finger and watched as goosebumps ran along her arm.
I cleared my throat and my cock stiffened from her reaction. “I'll be home today unless anything comes up.”
I had already sent messages to Yegor and Zahkar when I was in the kitchen getting breakfast for Ninel.
“Y-you don't have to do that,” she stuttered. “I'll be okay alone.”
I placed the tray back on the night stand and placed a hand over Ninel's.
“Printessa, you're my wife. Staying here to make sure you get better is my job.”
You're a wimp, Artie. Your job is to take care of your faction. Call Kira back and let her look after Ninel. And get back to what you should be doing! Man's work!
I grounded my teeth as I pushed my father's voice aside.
“Is there anything you need? Fruit? Your art supplies? A book? I can get it for you.”
“There is a book I'm reading but I already have it here in my nightstand drawer. So maybe just some dry crackers and water will be okay.”
“Stay here. I'm going to grab that and my laptop and I'll be right back.”
“Ok.”
That first day I spent most of the day with Ninel catering to her every need: feeding her, holding hair when she threw up and getting a warming bottle to put on her stomach since I noticed she'd been holding it a lot.
We even took a stroll around the estate and had a light dinner in the gazebo on a blanket. And when she fell asleep. I watched her for fifteen minutes before scooping her in my arms and taking her to bed.
The next day I wasn't so lucky. At four in the morning, after Ninel had just thrown up I had to call Kira because I had a business emergency to take care of. I really didn't want to go but I couldn't ignore the situation. As soon as Kira arrived I thanked her and left.
Over the next four days I hardly got any rest. Between taking care of Bratva business and my wife, I was fucking exhausted. Ninel had thrown up again after I had just opened the Asian food from my restaurant that she loved. After cleaning up, I now lay on the bed next to her watching her sleep.
I told her that she needed to get to the clinic, but she refused. I even insisted that I'd let a doctor come to visit but she assured me that whatever it was would pass soon.
But, I wasn't so sure. She'd been sick for almost two weeks and she wasn't getting any better.
I drifted off to sleep worried about the woman laying next to me.
I don't know how long I slept for but when I woke up soft light was drifting through the window.
Ninel's head was on my shoulder, her arm draped over my waist and her foot was tangled between my legs and my arms were wrapped around her.
I closed my eyes and sighed. I had never been more content with anything in my life more than just laying here with Ninel in my arms. I didn't want to let her go. She fit me perfectly.
A few minutes later Ninel shifted below me and stretched, letting out a soft purring moan that summoned a low growl that threatened to escape my lips.
Her hands moved along my stomach then stopped abruptly. Her eyes shot to mine and a look of horror mixed with desire flashed in her eyes before she quickly scrambled to the next side of the bed.
“I-I'm sorry…I didn't mean too…”
I clenched my jaw and closed my eyes. Reality slammed into me. This thing between Ninel and I wasn't real. No matter how much I wanted more than to sink my cock into her cunt…no matter how much I wanted to be there for her.
I shifted and planted my feet on the ground and looked back.
“I trust that you slept well?”
“Why were you sleeping in the bed…next to me?” she asked, a quiver in her voice.
My voice hardened. “You mean why was I sleeping on my matrimonial bed with my wife?”
“Did you put something in my tea? Did we have sex?”
I rose to my feet and turned glaring at her.