“You all are in this mess because of me. It’s the least I could do.”
He sighed and said, “not exactly. Anthony was already on my shit list before he laid his hands on you. You just sped up the process.”
I hugged him tighter, not wanting to think about any of it. He responded by wrapping his arms tighter around me. I heard Viktor make a call to Ivan to let them know the change in the plan. I stepped back from Adrik and said, “I’ll call Ms. Jackson and see if she’s ready to go now.”
I told Ms. Jackson we would have chaperones on our weekly trip to the store when I called to see if she was ready to
“Oh, child. Not those strapping young men that have been watching over you?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, Ms. Jackson. Those strapping young men will accompany us to the store. Did you need to go anywhere else this week? Are your prescriptions good?”
“Can they take me across town to Edith Riley’s place? Maybe escort me through the old folk’s home like they’re my playthings?”
“Ms. Jackson! Don’t you think you’d get more mileage out of therm if they took you to Bingo?”
She giggled into the phone. “Sephie, you are a genius.”
I chuckled. “We’ll be down in a few minutes to fetch you for this adventure we’re about to have.”
“Lord, this is going to be the best shopping trip of my life. No offense, Sephie. You’re precious. But you ain’t 6’5 of chiseled muscle precious.”
“No offense taken, Ms. Jackson. See you in a few.” was still laughing to myself and shaking my head when I walked back to the kitchen. Adrik was in my small living room, carefully studying each one of the handful of pictures I had on display. They were the only memories I had of happier times. When my mom was still alive. Before my life took a dark turn.
Adrik saw me walk into the kitchen and stood up straight, that smirk on his face that I was growing accustomed to.
“What put such a beautiful smile on your face, solnishko?”
“Ms. Jackson requested your bodyguards escort her to Bingo so she could show them off to her friends. Think they’d be down? I feel like Ivan is going to jump at this chance,” I said as I cleaned up the first aid kit on the counter and put everything back in its place.
He walked to the kitchen to stand beside me, his face scrunched in thought. “You know, I could order him to do it.”
“Oh, that’s just plain mean. I love it.” I said, smiling broadly up at him.
“I love your smile,” he said, twirling a curl around his finger as he scanned my face. That twinkle was back in his deep blue eyes. I felt myself blush and looked down at what I was doing. I felt his arm around my shoulders. He leaned down and kissed my cheek. “You don’t have to hide from me,” he said quietly as he handed me the roll of bandage tape.
I peeked up at him underneath my lashes, his gaze intently on me, as always. “It’s just…” I stammered, not really knowing what to say. I opened my mouth to speak but ended up shutting it again.
He reached for my chin and lifted my face, so I was looking at him. He smiled sweetly at me and leaned down to press his lips to mine. Just as our lips met, we heard the door opening. I stepped back, not sure I wanted anyone to catch us kissing just yet. He laughed at my nervousness and grabbed my hands, wrapping them around his waist. I hid my face in his chest, inhaling his scent.
Sephie
Ms. Jackson was in the backseat with me and Adrik. Viktor was driving while Andrei was in the passenger seat. We were following the other SUV with Ivan, Misha, and Stephen. You would’ve thought it was Ms. Jackson’s birthday, she was so excited.
“I haven’t been this close to this many fine-looking gentlemen since I was in my 20s,” she whispered to me. “I knew you were special, girl, but what did you do to deserve this many handsome men at your beck and call?”
I laughed. “I don’t think they’re exactly at my beck and call, Ms. Jackson.”
Adrik cleared his throat, beside me. I looked at him in shock. He smiled at me. “Whatever you need, solnishko. You say the word.”
“Did you just call her solnishko?” Ms. Jackson asked, leaning forward so she could see Adrik.
“Da. You know Russian?”
“Enough,” she sat back. She hooked her arm through mine and patted my hand. “Yep. Special, special girl,” she said quietly. I glanced at her face. She had the look of someone who was reliving her past, so I decided against asking any further questions. I felt Adrik take my other hand and lace his fingers through mine. He gently squeezed my hand.
I closed my eyes, enjoying the moment of peace I felt whenever Adrik was around. I hadn’t known him for very long, but I felt things I’d never felt whenever he was around. I tried not to think about it too much. It was unconventional, to say the least. It felt like he quieted my storms. Like he was holding my hand as I was fumbling through the darkness, keeping me steady. All I knew is that I didn’t want it to end just yet.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.