I check his ribs, and noticing the bruising is much darker on his left side, my gaze finally darts to his face. “I think you have broken ribs.”
He shakes his head, his eyes flicking over my face. When I see the questions forming, I withdraw completely and gather the soiled gauze.
“Get up so I can take off the dirty covers,” Raya says, drawing Georgi’s attention away from me.
I grab the first aid kit and set everything down on an armchair, then hurry around the bed to get to Simi. I carefully take the soiled covers off her, then help Raya put the fresh covers over the bed before gently tucking in my baby.
I lovingly brush my hand over my baby’s hair and press a soft kiss to her temple.
This is the longest I’ve been allowed to be with Simi.
As the realization hits, intense pain and relief surge through me like a devastating wave.
“Lie down, Nina,” Georgi whispers.
I’ve been conditioned to obey all orders, but being in the enemy’s nest, I shake my head.
Georgi lies down, getting comfortable on the other side of the bed, then says, “It’s been a long day. You must be tired.”
I shake my head again, not taking my eyes off my daughter. I have no idea how long I have with her, and I’m not wasting a second.
Chapter 11
Georgi
Dad is in and out of the room, Raya sits in the armchair, and Santino stands guard near the door.
Nina hasn’t moved from where she’s sitting by her sleeping daughter. Taking in the ugly bruises that are forming on her face, I’m reminded of what she went through in the basement.
I’m not surprised she broke down. Honestly, I expected it to happen much sooner.
I know she doesn’t trust me, and she’s scared shitless, but that will change with time because I have no intention of letting her go.
Not because she’s Boris Pavlov’s daughter, but because I can’t. Just like with Raya, I need to know where Nina is at all times.
I can’t explain why. I’m fucking tired and in too much pain to care to look deeper.
I stare at her until my eyes fall shut, and as I drift between sleep and being awake, my thoughts are haunted by the horrible images of Nina being raped.
Suddenly, I remember Martin taunting Nina, telling her Anton is there and for her to get ready.
My eyes pop open, and as my sight focuses on her pale face, I realize tonight might not have been the first time that fucker raped her.
“Raya, Santino, you can both turn in for the night. I can’t sleep with you staring at me,” I tell them. Santino’s watchful gaze flicks to Nina, and to set him at ease, I say, “She’s half my size. She won’t hurt me.”
He doesn’t look happy, but waits for Raya to give my hand a squeeze before leaving with her.
When the door shuts behind them, I look at Nina again and ask, “How are you holding up? Do I need to get you a doctor?”
She keeps her head bowed, her focus on her daughter as she softly replies, “I’m fine.”
“I don’t believe that for a second.” I continue to stare at her until I’m unable to hold the question back. “Has it happened before?”
Her features tense even more, then she nods.
My eyes flick to the sleeping girl. “Where’s her father?”
Nina freezes and doesn’t even blink for a few seconds before she replies, “He’s dead. A long time ago.”