The Underworld Series, page 5
“See? What would I do without you?”
Her grin widened and a small chuckle escaped her lips. I opened the tube of cream, squeezing out a small amount on my index finger. I reached up with my other hand and titled her head back to give me full access to the now very colorful bruise on her neck. I touched the cream to her neck and noticed her flinch.
“Does it hurt?”
“No, it’s okay. It was cold. It surprised me.”
I squeezed more cream onto my finger but warmed it between my index finger and thumb before applying it to her neck this time. Once I was done with her neck, I lifted the sleeve of her shirt and applied it to the bruises up and down her arms. I hated seeing any marks on her milky white skin, but at least I felt like I could help make them better.
I was finishing up with the smaller bruises around her wrists as she leaned back and uncrossed her legs, dangling one leg on either side of me. My breath hitched and I hoped she didn’t notice. I kept my gaze on what I was doing, but I could feel her looking at me intently. Once I was done, I took both of her hands in mine and kissed the back of each one.
In a very quiet, almost whisper, I heard her say, “Thank you.”
I looked up to see she had tears threatening to fall. The tears making the colors in her eyes dance in the brighter light of the kitchen. I reached up and held the side of her face, concerned I had hurt her in some way. “No, why the tears? Did I hurt you?”
She chuckled. “No, the opposite, really. You could say I’m not used to people taking care of me. It’s a nice change.”
I felt that tightness in my chest return. Like a tear in my heart to hear that she had been mistreated in any way. Not knowing her past or what to say to make it better, I was at a loss. I just looked at her, still mesmerized by the dancing colors in her eyes. Without really thinking, I put my hand on the back of her head and pulled her toward me. I slowly leaned closer, watching her face to make sure she was okay with it. I felt her hand grasp my shirt and timidly pull me toward her. My lips touched hers. I felt her tense up, but then immediately relax, as she returned the kiss and pressed her lips to mine. Her legs moved closer to my body. I put my hands on either side of her face, gently holding her face while I deepened the kiss. She responded by parting her lips, allowing me access. It took all the self-control I had not to just devour her right then and there. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I moved my hands down her body to her hips, scooting her closer to me. She squealed against my lips as she felt me pull her closer and instinctively wrapped her legs around my torso. I groaned as I deepened the kiss even more, tasting every inch of her mouth with my tongue. After a few moments, she pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes and over my face. She brought her hands to my face and lightly traced the features of my face. I closed my eyes, reveling in her light touch.
I felt her press her forehead to mine. I opened my eyes briefly. She was resting her forehead against mine, her eyes closed. I felt her inhale and a small sigh escaped her lips. I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her against me. I could feel the faint shaking in her legs and knew she was fighting demons. I squeezed tighter, trying to make her feel as safe as I could.
Chapter Six
Sephie
I didn’t want to stop the kiss, but I knew I needed to stop the kiss. I pulled back from him and looked at him, expecting him to look angry that I had stopped. Instead, he almost looked like he was in a trance. I could feel his strong but soft grip on my hips. I just scanned his entire face. He was so handsome. His blue eyes, always so intense that I felt like he could see inside me. I lifted my hand to his face and traced my finger along the features of his face. His thick eyebrows, his long eyelashes, his cheekbones, his stubble that was as pleasant against my skin as I had originally thought, his plump lips that felt so soft against my own. I didn’t understand it, but I felt safe with this man. I shouldn’t. I knew I shouldn’t. He was the king of the criminal underground of the city. People feared him. Most people didn’t even know his name. Yet, he told me his name without hesitation. He sent his personal bodyguards to protect me from a man I thought was just a douchebag, but as it turns out probably wants to kill me now. He made a special trip to my apartment to bring me arnica. He could easily have hundreds of women that would likely throw themselves at him, but he’s standing in my kitchen after putting cream on my bruises like I was going to break. Little does he know how insignificant these bruises are compared to what I’ve endured in the past.
I leaned my forehead against his, my thoughts still racing through my head. I inhaled and sighed. I felt him wrap his arms around me even tighter and pull me as close to him as possible. It was such a small gesture, but I found myself fighting back tears once more. I just wanted to stay like this for as long as possible.
A knock on the door meant that moment didn’t last nearly as long as I was hoping. Adrik kissed my forehead before walking to the door to see who it was. He unlocked it and opened it, stepping aside for Misha to enter the apartment.
“Ivan just got a call. New lead on Anthony. This one looks promising, so he wants to go check it out himself. It’s close by.”
Adrik was quiet for a moment while he pondered this news. “You stay. Ivan can take Stephen and go check it out. Do not engage. I just want him to gather information right now.”
“Yes, sir,” Misha said as he left the apartment, closing the door behind him. Adrik walked back over to me, placing himself in between my legs again.
I was biting my bottom lip, worried about what I had just heard Misha tell Adrik. He swiped his thumb over my bottom lip to get me to stop biting it. “Don’t worry. We will find him.”
I was trying to keep it together, but I was scared. I just nodded and stared at my fidgeting hands. My legs started to shake despite my attempt at composure. He had his hands resting on my thighs, which meant he felt the shaking. Without a word, he scooped me from the counter and carried me to the couch. He laid me down on the couch but lifted my shoulders so he could sit, and I could use his lap as a pillow.
“You should be resting, not worrying,” he said as he settled into the couch beside me. I laid my head in his lap. He reached for my hand and intertwined my fingers with his. With his other hand, he rubbed my forehead gently. “We will find him.”
I tried to relax with his words. I closed my eyes and concentrated on his warm touch against my cool skin. His fingers moved into my hair. “Can I take your hair down?”
Without opening my eyes, I reached up and pulled the elastic out of my hair. My hair fell in a pile across his lap. I felt his hand return to my hair, running through the long strands. It wasn’t very long, and I had fallen asleep again.
That was a trick my mom used to use when I was a kid and didn’t want to go to sleep. She would always lay next to me and run her fingers through my hair to relax me. It was usually only a matter of minutes, and I would be sound asleep. No one had run their fingers through my hair in a very long time.
When I woke, I was in my bed. It took me a few minutes to remember that I had fallen asleep on the couch, with my head in Adrik’s lap, his hands running through my hair. I sighed at the memory and realized that I hadn’t had any nightmares this time.
Thank God. I’d rather not have to relive that ever again.
I stretched and went to the bathroom to splash some water on my face. I walked back to check my phone. Four messages, three from Max, one from Adrik. I opened Adrik’s first.
Sleep well, solnishko. I will see you again soon. —Adrik
I found myself hoping that soon came quickly. I smiled, remembering the feel of his lips on mine. I opened Max’s messages as I headed out to the kitchen to find out if Andrei and Viktor were back or if I was still stuck with Misha and Grumpy McGee.
I have an epic tale to tell you about Kim tonight.
How you doin’? Want me to drop some food by your place on my way home?
Okay, I’m guessing you’re asleep by your lack of response. No soup for you!
Just as I was about to close my phone, another message from Max came in.
Holy shit, Sephie! Did you hear that explosion? It was really close to your apartment. Are you okay? If you don’t respond this time, I’m for real coming to check on you. I don’t know exactly where that building was that just exploded, but I know it was close enough to you that you should’ve felt it.
What explosion? I didn’t hear anything, nor feel anything. But I also didn’t want him coming to check on me, so I responded right away.
I’m still alive, Max. I was sleeping last night when you texted. What explosion are you talking about? I didn’t hear anything or see anything, so I have no idea what you’re talking about. Clearly it wasn’t as close to me as you thought.
There was a warehouse a few blocks from you that exploded a few hours ago. Firefighters are still working on putting the fire out. I just heard about it on the news at the gym. I’m glad you’re okay, gingersnap.
Aw, you love me. You really love me, Maximus Decimus Meridius.
If by “love” you mean that I want to strangle you, then yes. Yes, I do. Too soon?
Haha, only you can get away with that. Maybe a little too soon. Let the bruises heal next time.
You know my world would crumble without my gingersnap. <3
Nerd. Thanks for checking on me.
I walked into the kitchen to find Andrei, Viktor, and Misha still there. They all looked very tense and were speaking Russian quietly.
“You guys wouldn’t be tense about that building that exploded close by, would you?”
They all turned to look at me with wide eyes.
“How do you know about that?” asked Viktor.
I held up my phone and jiggled it. “I’m afraid I have bad news, boys. The whole city knows about it now. Is that why you all look like you want to kill someone right now?”
Andrei chuckled and instantly relaxed. “We’re sorry, sestrichka. Come, please. I make you coffee this time.”
“Seriously. That marriage proposal is still on the table.”
It was Misha’s turn to look shocked as Andrei and Viktor both laughed.
“Where’s Ivan? And Stephen, was it? I didn’t meet him. I just heard his name last night.”
“Ivan is on his way back here. He was at that building that exploded, yes. We think it was a trap,” said Viktor.
Misha clicked his tongue at Viktor and said something in Russian to him. Viktor just shook his head and said, “She will find out sooner or later. Boss wants us to be honest with her, so I am honest with her.” He looked at me like a proud older brother, winked, and added, “She’s stronger than she looks.”
“You know I can only marry one of you, right? Andrei already got the proposal. Are you trying to steal it from him? That’s rude, Viktor. But I might warm up to the idea of you two fighting over me.”
He laughed as there was a sharp knock on the door. Misha went to the door, gun in hand. Andrei covered him and Viktor stood in between me and the door, his hand on my arm like he was ready to pull me away at a second’s notice.
Misha just said, “Ivan” as he opened the door. Everyone relaxed as Ivan’s imposing figure filled the doorframe. His bald head and face were covered with soot. If he wasn’t already wearing all black, I would’ve bet good money that his clothes were covered in soot as well.
“Well, you look like you’ve had an exciting morning,” I said.
He walked into the kitchen, eyebrow raised, and his intense gaze burning holes in my soul as usual.
“I see your brush with death didn’t help you develop a sense of humor,” I mumbled under my breath.
Viktor and Andrei both choked back laughter as they had both heard me.
Misha broke the tension in the room by asking Ivan what happened. He started to respond in Russian, but Misha stopped him. “Net. In English,” he said, motioning toward me. Ivan once again raised an eyebrow and stared at me but, nonetheless, continued his explanation in English.
“I got tip that Anthony was at a warehouse three miles from here. Too close, so I wanted to check it out myself. We get bad information always right now on where that little fucker is. If information is bad this time, I take it out on my source.”
While Ivan was talking, Andrei was making coffee for everyone. He sat a coffee cup down in front of me and I signed “thank you” to him. He winked and went about giving everyone else their coffee.
Ivan continued, “When we got to the warehouse, there was activity, but not enough that I suspected Anthony was there. At least not at that moment. There was maybe 10 guys there. I sent Stephen back here to take Boss home. I wanted a closer look, so I moved my position. I was twenty-five yards from warehouse doors, watching. Trucks come in, men unload, trucks leave. Everything was quiet for maybe an hour, then boom.”
“Holy shit,” I said, under my breath. “Are you okay?”
Ivan looked at me, somewhat surprised. It was like he wasn’t used to people inquiring about his well-being, and he didn’t know what to say. He nodded his head, saying “da” as he took his jacket off. When he turned his back to hang his jacket by the door, we all noticed a huge gash on the back of his shoulder.
“Your definition of fine and mine are clearly different,” I said. Misha went to inspect the gash.
“Looks bad, you might need stitches,” Misha told Ivan.
“Net. No hospital.”
“At least let me clean it up for you so it won’t get infected. I should have bandages that can cover it,” I said standing up from the barstool to go take a closer look at his injury. I quickly went to my bathroom and came back with a well-stocked first aid kit. They all raised their eyebrows when they saw my medical supplies.
“What? I’m clumsy. I get hurt a lot.”
I looked at Ivan and motioned to him, “Come here. Take your shirt off.”
He stayed where he was, without moving for a few seconds. Like he was torn between following my orders and not allowing me to help him.
“Or you can be stubborn and not let me help, in which case that gash gets infected, and you end up useless to anyone because you’re lying in bed with a fever for days, maybe weeks.”
Misha chuckled and kicked Ivan in the butt, effectively making him take a few steps toward me.
“I like her. She’s feisty,” Misha said.
Ivan mumbled something in Russian under his breath, but still stood in front of me and pulled his shirt over his head. His entire upper body was covered in tattoos. I glanced at them as he took his shirt off but tried not to stare. He looked at me with his intense gaze and turned around. The gash looked even worse without his shirt.
“Oh boy,” I said. “Misha was right. You might really need stitches.”
“Net. No hospitals,” he said as he turned around to face me again. He towered over me and leaned down to add, “Unless you can do it, princess.”
I held his intense gaze and fired back, “Actually, I can stitch it up, asshole. It just isn’t going to look as pretty as what you’ll get if a doctor does it. And I have nothing to numb the area, so it’s gonna hurt like a son of a bitch, which I will enjoy, but you will not.”
The other three men couldn’t contain their laughter this time and all three started laughing quietly at our exchange.
“Do it,” was all Ivan said as he turned around again. I looked to Viktor, who simply nodded his head. Hopping up on the cabinet so I could better reach his shoulder, I started to clean the wound.
When I got to the antiseptic, I said, “This is definitely going to burn. Please don’t murder me.”
Ivan simply grunted. His arms were crossed on his sizeable chest. When I put the antiseptic on his gash, he didn’t move a muscle. He showed no signs of discomfort. I knew he was tough, but that’s seriously impressive. Antiseptic on open wounds usually feels like you’re being burned by battery acid.
When I got everything as clean and disinfected as possible, I hesitated to start the stitches. “This is going to hurt. I don’t have anything to numb the area. I might have some whiskey in the cabinet. Do you want that? It’ll take the edge off, anyway.”
“Where?” he asked. I pointed over his shoulder to the cabinet the whiskey was in. He grabbed the bottle and downed a sizeable amount in one gulp.
I looked at him, my eyebrow raised, “Maybe you should drink more. I’d like to stay alive in this process. You’re a big dude. I’m guessing that wasn’t enough.”
Without a word, he swallowed almost half the bottle. When he was done, he stood in front of me again and said, “Do it.”
I stitched him up as best I could. It was not pretty, but it would heal better than if he had no stitches at all. After I was done ensuring he would have a badass scar from this experience, I bandaged the area to protect the stitches.
“All done. Sorry I don’t have a lollipop or anything to give you for being a good boy. But I do appreciate you not murdering this princess in that process.”
Finally. It happened. He laughed. It was small, but I heard it. When he turned to look at me, he had a small twinkle in his eye instead of looking like he was burning holes in my soul. Apparently, whiskey was the key to this man’s softer side.
Noted.
Misha ran to one of the SUVs outside to get Ivan a new shirt, since the one he was wearing was basically ruined. Viktor received a phone call, which he took in Russian. Once he ended the call, he said, “Boss is on his way here.” He looked at me and said, “You get dressed. We’re leaving once he gets here.”
