Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
The moment we’re alone, I scramble to my feet and rush to the cabinet. I grab a clean cloth and quickly wet it under the cold water before hurrying to Georgi.
Breathing raggedly and way too fast, he keeps mumbling words I can’t make out. His legs tremble so violently, I know he’d crumple to the ground if it weren’t for the chains holding him up.
“Georgi,” I say softly, but he doesn’t seem to hear me.
I reach up, trying to wipe the cool cloth over his feverish face, but he jerks his head backward before his body lunges at me. I jump a few steps away, and the chains stop him a hair’s breadth from me.
With his teeth clenched, a growl rumbles from his chest, making intense fear ripple through me.
“It’s Nina,” I squeak fearfully. “I just want to help you.”
Slowly, the darkness in his eyes retreats until he seems to recognize me. His pupils are still blown wide as he searches my face. It looks like he’s trying to figure out what is happening.
“Fire,” he croaks.
I quickly wipe the sweat off his face while saying, “There’s no fire.” Hurrying to the sink, I fill the jug with water and carry it back to him.
When I place my hand on the side of his jaw, he leans into my touch, and I’m so thankful when he drinks all the water.
Some more clarity returns to his eyes, but his breaths are still too fast.
I toss the jug into the sink, where it lands with a clank, while I run to the cabinet to get the blood pressure cuff.
When my gaze touches on the bucket, I decide against it, and knowing the door is locked and he can’t get out, I run to the other side of the room where the chains are locked in place. Pressing the button of the control mechanism, I watch impatiently as the metal links roll forward, easing the biting hold on Georgi’s arms.
Once he drops to his knees and his arms lower to his sides, I stop and hurry to him. I quickly crouch and fasten the cuff around his bicep.
His muscles keep jumping and trembling from the merciless strain they’ve endured.
As I take his vitals, I feel his eyes burning on my face.
Satisfied that he’s not at risk of having a heart attack, I set the blood pressure cuff aside.
Wanting to help him, I begin to massage his bicep, and giving him a pleading look, I say, “You need to slow down your breathing.”
Georgi leans into me, and when he presses his forehead to mine, I freeze.
“I couldn’t wake them.” His voice breaks toward the end of the sentence, making my heart clench again. “There was smoke everywhere. I couldn’t…” His voice fails him.
Unable to keep back, I wrap my arms around him, supporting his weight when he leans further into me.
Careful not to touch any of the wounds, I try to rub his shoulder blades to ease some of the pain he must be feeling.
At first, his body remains tense, but then he finally relaxes little by little under my touch.
I move my hand through his damp hair and whisper, “It’s over.”
Georgi’s breathing finally returns to normal, and when more of his weight leans into me, I hold him as tight as I can.
“I’m so sorry,” I whimper, my voice barely audible. “For all of it.”
He lifts his head, locking his eyes with mine. “Set me free.”
The urge to cry wells in me as I shake my head. “I can’t.”
He keeps staring at me, then says, “I’ll protect you, Nina.”
The guilt threatens to crush me as I shake my head again.
The chains clank against the floor as he shifts closer, and leaning into me, his mouth brushes near my temple. “Then stay with me,” he murmurs, his speech slurred. “Just for a little while.”
My throat closes, and I hug him again before guiding his head to my shoulder. “Try to sleep.”
Georgi’s body shakes with laughter, the corner of his mouth lifting. “I have to admit, you and Boris make quite the team. You know how to fuck with a man’s head.”
“Shh…” I brush my hand over his hair again. “Just sleep.”
Eventually, more of his weight leans into me, and his breathing evens out.
As I hold Georgi while he rests, I play with the idea of setting him free, even going as far as to imagine how he’ll fight his way out of the mansion.
But then the stark reality that’s my life settles in with the cold in the room.
I won’t free Georgi because Boris will kill Simi and me.
Chapter 8
Georgi
When day four comes and goes, I begin to get worried that my family won’t find me in time.
Boris is going to reach the end of his patience soon and kill me.
Fuck.
I put all my weight on my right leg because my left is fucked after they beat the shit out of the gunshot wound, ripping the stitches.