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)
I take hold of her and pull her into a hug while locking eyes with Dad, and knowing I have to give them something so they’ll stop worrying about me, I admit, “It was something I was forced to watch. I’m physically fine.”
I see the moment Dad puts two and two together. “Fuck. Now I understand everything.”
“What?” Mom asks, pulling away so she can see our faces.
“They hurt the woman in front of him,” Dad tells her.
“I’d really appreciate it if we could move on from this subject.”
Mom gathers herself and nods. “Okay. Ah…so I’ll keep bringing food over. Send me any shopping lists you have.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I press a kiss to her forehead.
Dad gently rubs my shoulder. “Have Nina look at your…bruises. Keep me up to date with what’s happening.”
“Will do.”
I walk my parents to the elevator, and once the doors close behind them, I let out a heavy sigh.
What’s the time?
Heading to the kitchen, I check the clock on the microwave and see it’s already past ten.
I take the stairs up so I can check on Nina and tell Raya she can go home. When I near the bedroom, I hear Simi ask, “Do I really get to sleep in the big bed?”
“Yes,” Raya answers. “In this castle, all princesses have big beds.”
“Yay!”
“Don’t jump, milo moe.”
As I walk into the bedroom, Nina’s about to take hold of an excited Simi, and I say, “Leave her be. It’s fun jumping on the bed.”
“Georgi!” Simi shrieks, bouncing toward the foot of the bed with the widest smile on her face.
I move fast, and hooking my right arm around her, I catch her mid-air. She wraps her tiny arms around my neck and plasters a kiss on my cheek, then whispers, “Thank you.”
The emotion hits me square in the chest, and I fall completely in love with the sweet little girl in my hold. My voice is hoarse as I ask, “For what, malkata mi printsesa?”
“For coming to save us.”
Her eyes are big and filled with so much innocence, I make a silent vow to protect her from the evils of our world so she never loses that look.
“I’m sorry I was late,” I say, before pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“By taking me to the toy store?”
“Yes.” Grinning at her, I add, “First thing tomorrow morning, so you have to get to bed and sleep so you have energy for all those toys.”
“Yes!” She squirms in my arms, so I’ll put her down and quickly crawl beneath the covers. “Night.” She squeezes her eyes shut but can’t stop smiling.
I did that.
Christ.
Good job, Georgi.
My heart clenches before it feels like it’s exploding with affection for Simi, and the moment is so intense, I have to rub my hand over my chest.
When I glance at Nina and see terror darkening her eyes, it pops the bubble.
I clear my throat again and look at Raya. “Thanks for everything.”
“No problem. I’ll stay on top of things and keep you in the loop. Take off as much time as you need.”
A smirk forms around my mouth. “Don’t look so happy to be rid of me.”
I follow Raya to the doorway, then she turns around and says, “I get a feeling I’m about to have a lot more freedom, now that you can focus your obsession to protect on someone else.”
“You wish.” Chuckling, I shake my head. “I’ve just been through hell, don’t give me a heart attack by telling me you want to date.”
“Hmpf.” She shoots me a playful glare, then walks toward the stairs. “I’ll check in on you tomorrow night after work.”
Turning around, I lock eyes with Nina, who’s still standing in the exact same spot, her body tense.
I stay where I am as I tilt my head. “You’re not feeling any better, are you?”
“I’m fine.”
Sure, and I’m a virgin.
Letting out a sigh, I ask, “Have you finished unpacking?”
She shakes her head. “Not yet.”
“Take care of it, then come down to the living room so we can talk.” Nina nods, but noticing she’s looking even more scared, I add, “We’re just going to talk, Nina. Nothing else.”
“Okay,” she whispers, but she still doesn’t move, her eyes glued to me as I pull the door shut behind me.
I head back down to the kitchen and open the medicine cabinet. Tossing two painkillers into my mouth, I down them with water before I walk to the living room and gingerly lower myself onto a couch.
Fuck. What a day.
Scratch that. What a fucked-up week.
My eyes fall on the new phone lying on the coffee table with a sticky note.
I peel it off and read the message.
Call if you need me. No matter the time.
Love you, Mom
When I unlock the device with the code Mom provided, I see it’s already been set up. Rosie probably did it while they were waiting for me.