I know it’s dark when her expression turns somber.
“Boris ordered me to have sex with Anton, and my mother tried to protect me, so he beat her to death right in front of me. I tried to help. I jumped on his back and pounded my fists against him, but it didn’t help.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
Rage pours through my veins, and I vow I will make that fucking bastard suffer tenfold.
Nina’s features relax into a blank stare, and I know I’ve lost her to the memory. Even her voice sounds empty as she continues, “My mother’s body wasn’t even cold, her blood still wet on the floor when Anton came. I was dragged to my bedroom, where he tore my clothes off. The shame I felt for being naked in front of a man for the first time was quickly replaced by emotions I have no words for as he took my virginity. Pain. Revulsion. Anguish. Hopelessness. None of those explain what I felt…what I’ve experienced for years.”
I keep quiet, not wanting to interrupt Nina.
“After my first scream, Anton seemed to lose his mind, and the evil that lives in him tried to rip me apart. I stayed on my bedroom floor for two days, drifting between shock andemptiness. That’s when Tanya interacted with me for the first time. She came into my room and hauled me off the floor. Still reeling from being raped and in so much pain, my legs were numb, I was forced to shower and get dressed, because Anton was coming again, and I had to get ready.”
She inhales a deep breath and comes out of the haze she was in, and blinking, she meets my eyes. “Things fell into a routine after that. I’d lure men to their deaths. Boris would torture them, and I’d have to tend to their wounds, making sure they stayed alive until he was ready to kill them.”
Between surges of rage and a desperate need to feel those fuckers blood seep through my fingers, my heart breaks for Nina.
Before I forget, I growl, “Who the fuck is Tanya?”
“The woman you shot right before you jumped after Simi. My father’s whore. She was responsible for watching Simi.”
It gives me some satisfaction knowing I got to kill the bitch.
Nina scoots a little closer, and the traumatized look in her eyes lessens until it changes into gratitude.
“Thank you for risking your life and saving my daughter.” She lifts her hand, placing it on my shoulder, then hesitates for several seconds before she leans in and presses a soft kiss to my cheek.
When she pulls away, I smile at her. “Think about it, Nina. I was willing to die for a child I didn’t know. How much more do you think I’ll do for someone I care about?”
She lets my words sink in, and it eases more of the ever-present tension in her body.
Suddenly, the elevator doors open, and as Santino comes in for his usual security check at three am, it frightens the hell out of Nina.
Jumping to her feet, she grabs the first aid kit and runs away as if hellhounds are nipping at her heels.
“Sorry, I didn’t know you’d still be up,” Santino says.
“It’s okay. We should head to bed,” I reply as I climb to my feet.
His eyes flick over my body as he comes closer. “You look like shit, Georgi.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.” I chuckle as I gesture at the elevator. “I’m fine. Go back to bed.”
Ignoring me, he tips his chin in the direction of the kitchen where Nina is hiding. “How do I handle her?”
“With kid gloves,” I mutter, the playfulness disappearing from my tone. “Besides you and my dad, no man is allowed to be alone with her. In fact, the guards don’t talk to her unless it’s a life and death situation.” I lift my hand and place it on his shoulder. “I know it’s going to be an adjustment for you, but I’m putting you in charge of her and Simi’s safety because there’s no one else I trust.”
Not hiding his worry, he asks, “And what about you?”
“I’ll keep Frankie and Al with me. It’s time I give them a promotion anyway.”
Santino nods, and as he begins to turn to leave, I grip his shoulder tighter. “Wait. Come with me to the kitchen.”
When we walk into the room, Nina’s standing on the other side of the island. The instant her eyes lock on Santino, she pales horribly.
“It’s okay,” I say to set her at ease while I quickly move around the island to get to her. “Santino will guard you and Simi when I’m not around.” When her frightened gaze remains locked on him, I take hold of her chin and tip her face up so she’ll look at me. “Santino is safe, Nina. You don’t have anything to fear from him. Understand?”
My head of security earns a million brownie points with me when he comes closer and holds his hand out to Nina while keeping his tone very respectful and soft, “Hi, Nina. I’ll doeverything in my power to protect you and your daughter. If you’re important to Georgi, then you’re important to me.”