The Underworld Series, page 23
When I opened the bedroom door, I could hear voices. I walked down the hallway, walking close to the wall to help steady myself. When I got to the end of the hallway, I could see Adrik and all the guys sitting on the couches. Adrik saw me and rushed to me, picking me up immediately. “Solnishko, what are you doing out of bed? Are you okay?”
“I’m okay. I feel better, somewhat. What time is it?” I asked, settling into his arms as he walked me to the couch.
Misha, with his wide smile, said, “More like what day is it.”
I looked at him, confused. “What do you mean?”
He looked at his watch. “You’ve been asleep for thirty-six hours now. You slept through the entire day, then most of the next one.”
“Shut up.” I thought he was playing a trick on me.
“It’s true, solnishko,” Adrik said as he kissed my cheek. He looked at me, brushing my hair from my face. He still had a look of concern on his face.
“What was in those painkillers?” I said, scratching my head. They all laughed at me.
Misha asked, “Are you still hungry? You said you were starving in the hospital. I promised to get you food once we got back here, but then you passed out for a day and a half.”
I thought for a minute. I really wasn’t hungry. My stomach did not feel right. I must’ve made a funny face, thinking about not wanting to eat because Misha laughed. “I’ve never seen you turn down food before. What was in those painkillers?”
Ivan had gotten up to go the kitchen. He came back with water for me. He handed it to me and said, “Start with this first. If you can handle water, then you’ll be able to eat soon. If water is too much, then you need to wait a little longer for the drugs to leave your system.”
“Thank you, Ivan.” I took the glass and took a sip. Okay, I was really thirsty. I took a big gulp and Adrik pulled the glass from my lips.
“Easy, love. Go slow or you’ll definitely puke it up.”
I pushed my bottom lip out but didn’t fight him on it. I hated to puke, so I would do whatever was needed to avoid that.
“Can you remember what happened, princess?” Ivan asked me.
I thought for a moment. I nodded my head. “Mostly, I think. We had just left the hotel and Mr. Turner. There were lots of people on the sidewalk like all at once. I remember Misha glanced at me and then the next thing I knew he was going one way and I was going the other. I hit the ground hard, but so did the guy that jumped on me. He kind of faltered and his grip on me loosened. I flipped him off me, like Viktor taught me. As I was getting up, I saw Misha get free from the guy that was on him. I remember being really pissed. I jumped on the guy and started hitting him. There was something familiar about it that I still can’t place. Misha pulled me off him and you guys know the rest.”
“Familiar how?” Viktor asked. “Familiar in how he acted? How he smelled? How he sounded?”
I thought back to the guy. “He didn’t look like he was entirely with it when he attacked me. Like, it was too easy for me to get him off me.”
Misha sat up. “I had the same thought. When I got the guy off me the first time and he came back for more, he looked like he was unsteady. Like he was high.”
Ivan said, “If they were high, that would explain why neither one of them has woken up yet.”
My eyes went wide. “That’s what it was! My uncle used to have the same look when he was high on pills and would beat the shit out of me!” I realized too late what I had just said in front of all of them, my hand flying to cover my mouth. Adrik knew, of course, but none of the guys knew about that yet.
They all looked at me, then looked quickly to Adrik. He nodded and pulled me closer. “You can show them, solnishko. They won’t look at you differently either,” he whispered to me.
I slowly stood up and raised my shirt up high enough that they could see most of my scars. I heard a few of them inhale sharply. I dropped my shirt and sat down next to Adrik again. He wrapped his arm around me again, pulling me to his side.
I took a deep breath and gave them the abbreviated version. “I was sent to live with my uncle when my mom died, as he was my only family, and I was only 15. He had a drinking problem that later turned into a pill problem. He started to beat me when he started on the pills. I would leave the house for hours when I knew he was high, waiting for him to pass out. That’s how I started running. Sometimes he wouldn’t be passed out when I got back, and he would catch me and beat me. Most of the time it was just his fists and he’d kick me, but the last night he used a whip on me.”
Andrei asked, “How did you get away?”
“I had found that apartment I was in when I met you guys and I was slowly taking my stuff there, planning to just never go back one day. Ms. Jackson had befriended me in that process. Earlier that day, she had seen fresh bruises from the latest beating, and she gave me a pocketknife. It was in my pocket when he had exhausted himself from beating me with the whip. He came back to kick me, and I grabbed his foot and sliced his Achilles tendon, so he couldn’t come after me. I stole his car and drove to the apartment. Ms. Jackson stitched me up and helped me out. She sold the car while I was sleeping so he couldn’t find me,” I said, smiling at the thought of her helping me.
They were silent for a minute. Ivan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “So, about this Bingo that she needs a date for…?”
I laughed. “That’s why she means so much to me. I owe her a lot.”
Viktor said, “She can take each of us to Bingo every night of the week if she wishes.”
“Where is your uncle now? What happened to him? Can we kill him?” Misha asked.
I smiled at him, getting his wide smile and a wink in return. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since that night.”
“We can find him. We will gladly find him,” Stephen said. “I can pick him off from a rooftop somewhere. No one will ever know.”
I looked at him, smiling at his offer of violence on my behalf. “I think he’ll get his karma on his own. I don’t think any of you need to step in. But I love you all for offering.” Adrik pulled me close and handed me the glass of water again.
We sat in silence for a few minutes. Adrik asked, “You said the pills your uncle took made him violent. Do you remember what it was he took?”
“I don’t know what they were called. I only saw them once or twice. They were pink and purple pills. Like the gel cap kind that you can pull apart and the powder comes out, you know?”
“Did he swallow the pills, snort it, or cook it and inject it?” Ivan asked.
I tried to remember what I’d seen my uncle do. “I’m not sure. I know he swallowed them at first, but I don’t know if he did anything different later on. He had an extremely high tolerance for alcohol, so maybe he developed a tolerance for the pills too? He would pass out for sometimes days at a time after taking them.”
They all looked at each other, like they had just gotten an integral piece of the puzzle. I looked at each of them. “Do you guys know what he was taking?”
“It’s a mixture of three drugs. Dealers started mixing drugs a few years back to try to create different highs for their customers. They call it ‘brawn,’” Viktor said. “It makes people feel stronger, but it also makes them more violent. Then their body crashes, which is why your uncle would pass out for a few days after each time. That’s probably why the guys who attacked you are still out. I’d be willing to bet they were on it.”
“The question now is who put them up to it and who gave them the brawn. Most of the city is clear of it now. There’s only a few areas where you can find dealers still willing to make it. Most of the bosses told their dealers to quit making it. Either a few of them didn’t listen or the bosses never actually told them to stop,” Ivan said.
I rested my head on Adrik’s shoulder, suddenly exhausted again. He took the now empty glass of water from me and set it on the table beside the couch. “Come, back to bed for you. We’ll talk about this more in the morning,” he said, picking me up off the couch.
I didn’t argue, I just snuggled into his arms as he walked me back to the bedroom. The guys all waving bye as I disappeared down the hallway. He laid me on the bed and walked to the closet, untucking his shirt as he went. I was fighting to stay awake when he got back. “Will you stay with me?” I asked, trying to keep my eyes open.
He climbed into bed beside me, wrapping his arms around me. I sighed, contentedly. “How’s your head? Still have a headache? Do you need more painkillers?”
“No, it’s okay. It’s not bad now. I don’t want to sleep for a day and a half again.”
“I won’t argue with that,” he said, holding me tighter. “I missed you.” He pulled me closer, holding me tightly. “You clearly needed to sleep though. I was worried about you.”
I rolled in his arms to face him. My hand went to his face, running my fingers lightly over his facial hair. I was still fighting to stay awake when I felt him kiss my forehead. “Sleep, my love.”
The next few days were mostly a blur. I was asleep more than I was awake, and I could still barely eat. By the third day, I finally woke up with an appetite. It was the middle of the afternoon when I woke up that day. Adrik was at the kitchen counter, working. He had brought his work upstairs, so he could be there if I needed anything. I walked into the kitchen, without having to squint. I was also steadier on my feet. I walked to him, draping my body over his back, hugging his neck.
“Good afternoon, solnishko. How are you feeling?”
“Better now,” I said, kissing his cheek. “I think I can eat now. I’m finally hungry.”
“That’s a good sign. Come, sit. I can make you something.” He pulled up a chair next to his for me to sit.
“You know how to cook?” I was legitimately surprised.
He looked at me with his sexy smirk. “I am capable. Mostly. It won’t be as good as Tori’s or yours, but it’s edible.”
He opened the refrigerator. “What would you like? We have some eggs and bacon.” My stomach growled loud enough that he heard it. “Eggs and bacon it is,” he said, setting both items down on the counter.
“I feel like my stomach is also in a relationship with you. She needs to be validated from time to time.” I laughed.
He cut his eyes at me, smiling. I sat and watched him make me breakfast in the middle of the afternoon. I couldn’t think of a sexier sight. He set the plate down in front of me, handing me a fork. Just as I went to take the fork, he pulled it back, looking me in the eyes. “Slowly. Okay? You haven’t eaten for a few days. You don’t want to make yourself sick. Eat this and if you keep it down, I’ll make you more in a bit.”
I took the fork, nodding in agreement. I was starving at this point though, so eating slow was going to be hard. But if he was going to stand there and watch me the whole time, I would have to pace myself.
“Have you gotten any information from the guys that attacked us yet?” I asked, trying to deliberately chew as slowly as I could to keep from inhaling the food like I wanted to.
He nodded. He was leaning against the counter, with his arms crossed across his chest. Dammit, he was handsome. I had to look down and cross my legs because my body was suddenly hungry for more than bacon and eggs.
“We found out where they got the drugs from, but they’re still not talking as to who put them up to coming after you and Misha. We’re close though. One of them is cracking faster than the other, on account of his entire face being broken. By a girl, no less.” He looked at me proudly.
I looked down at my food, slightly embarrassed. He chuckled. “Don’t be embarrassed, solnishko. You did good. They weren’t expecting you to fight back. We threatened to send you in the room with him. That’s what got him to start talking.” He rubbed his facial hair, laughing. “I never thought my girlfriend would be the threat to make someone crack under interrogation.”
“My street cred just went through the roof,” I said smiling at him, taking another bite of bacon.
After I was finished eating, I wanted a shower. I hadn’t showered since I came home from the hospital, and I felt stinky. Adrik offered to help me. After watching him cook for me, I wasn’t going to say no.
In the shower, I leaned back against him as he washed my hair for me. He was extra gentle and took his time massaging my scalp. My headache was gone, but my head was still tender where I had hit the sidewalk. His hands massaged my shoulders as I rested my head against his shoulder. His hands continued to roam farther down to my breasts. I could feel him grow hard. I leaned against him more, giving him more access to my breasts. I felt his lips on my neck, gently kissing, then biting the way he knew would drive me crazy. My breath caught and I moaned softly. I had missed his touch the last few days.
I turned to face him, my hands roaming over his chest. He pulled me closer, his lips finding mine. He kissed me passionately, but I could feel him holding back, like he was scared he was going to break me.
He broke the kiss and pulled me to his chest. “You’re supposed to be resting. The doctor said no excessive stimuli for two weeks. I think sex is included in that list. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Why does that doctor hate me?” I rested my head against his chest, still happy that I had his arms around me at least.
He kissed the top of my head. “Two weeks is a long time,” he said, sighing.
I managed to stay awake after the shower and I kept my food down. It was a big day for me. Adrik cooked me a few more eggs after a short time. His phone buzzed on the counter as he was cooking. I grabbed it and looked at the caller ID.
“It’s Ivan. Can I answer it?” I asked.
“Of course, love.”
“Hello, you’ve reached the phone of the man who shall remain nameless. He can’t come to the phone right now. May I give him a message?”
Ivan chuckled. “Princess. It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Aw, Ivan. I always knew you were squishy inside that tough exterior. You missed me. Don’t lie.”
“Da. Very much. Tell Boss that we have new information we need to discuss.”
Adrik motioned for them to come up. “Well, Ivan the Squishy, why don’t you come up and tell him?”
“Be right there,” he said, ending the call.
In what seemed like two minutes, all five guys were walking in the door. One by one, they all came and hugged me, telling me they had missed me.
“How are you feeling, gazelle?” Misha asked.
“Better. I ate earlier and managed to keep it down. I even took a shower. It’s been a big day for me,” I grinned at him.
“Now that you can eat, you’ll feel better much faster,” Stephen said.
Ivan came over and inspected the stitches above my eye. “Bruise looks better. Cut still looks ugly.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me. I’m probably gonna have yet another scar to add to my extensive collection.”
Ivan surprised me by wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “Be proud of your scars. They’re a visual representation of how fucking strong you are.” He leaned down and kissed the top of my head as Adrik set my next plate of food in front of me. He winked at me as I was shocked at Ivan’s response.
Adrik looked at Ivan, “So, what news?”
“We showed the guy that attacked Misha what the guy that attacked Sephie looked like and then threatened to send her in with him. He sang like a fucking canary,” Viktor said, trying to keep a straight face.
They all had to stifle their laughs, as I looked at them wide-eyed. “You guys aren’t serious. Like you’re just messing with me, right?”
Misha leaned on the counter, looking me in the eye. “He was terrified, gazelle.”
“Shut up.”
“Terrified,” Andrei said. “Almost pissed himself terrified.”
I felt my cheeks flush. Adrik, who was clearly enjoying this, asked, “What did you find out? Who put him up to it?”
Viktor sighed. “It was a bit of a test run. They’ve been quietly testing a new formulation of brawn around the city, seeing if they can amp up the violence. They feel like they got the right combination and gave it to these two morons with Misha and Sephie as the target to see how it would go. I’m sure they were being watched.”
“Who put them up to it?” Adrik asked, his jaw clenching. He crossed his arms across his chest. I could see his anger coming to the surface.
“Salvadori,” Ivan said. “We don’t know his exact plan but given that half the bosses are with you and half are with him, I’d say he’s trying to tip the scales in his favor. I think he’s planning on giving it to his soldiers. He wants a war in the city.”
I dropped my fork and they all looked at me. “Why would he want a war in the city? The people of the city love Adrik. They won’t stand for Salvadori trying to take over. Even if he beat you guys, which he won’t, the people won’t let him take over.”
Andrei sighed. “He’s probably not thinking about that. He just wants power and doesn’t care how he gets it. He’ll try to scare the city into bending to his will after he defeats us.”
“Innocent people are going to get hurt if he tries to start a war,” I said, finishing the last bite of eggs.
“We won’t let that happen,” Ivan said.
The guys stayed in the penthouse for a few hours. I managed to stay awake the whole time. Big day, indeed. They discussed business, but then switched to what I’d missed while I’d been sleeping for days at a time.
Misha was teasing Andrei for being in the doghouse with Tori again. “What did you not do this time, Bubba?” I asked.
“She’s mad at me. I was supposed to go to the house for a couple days, but I stayed here in case you woke up. We were all worried about you, Sephie,” he looked at me sheepishly.
