her know that I was right by her side.
Shrugging, she took a sip of wine, licking the rim before swallowing. “I’m not going to lie that being tied and gagged wasn’t horrifying, but all I could think about was you. After the bastard knocked you unconscious, I thought I’d never see you again. They laughed, only speaking in Russian, but I didn’t need to know the language to realize they were planning on whatever method of torture they were going to inflict. Then they looked at me. There was hunger in Dimitri’s eyes. I don’t think I can ever face the darkness without seeing his vile face.”
“No man will ever hurt you again.”
“You can’t promise me that just like you can’t be there when the nightmares arrive. Being tied and helpless was worse because I knew I couldn’t help you. That tore me apart inside. I lost a part of me when that happened.”
“There’s no way you could have done anything, Chloe. They would have killed you.”
“Maybe so. When are you leaving?” she asked in a quiet voice, keeping her gaze pinned on the trees.
Inhaling, I hadn’t been prepared for her question. A part of me hadn’t wanted to address it at all, but she deserved to know the truth.
“Day after tomorrow.” I couldn’t promise her anything, but I did need her to remain safe. “You need to find another place to live.”
“That’s not fair, Nikolai. I have a life or at least I did up until a few days ago. I have school. Transferring wouldn’t be that easy.”
“I’m going to give you some money so you can start a new life.”
She tipped her head, her eyes piercing mine. “I don’t want your money. If you honestly think that taking something from you will either make me feel any better or stop the pain in my heart, then you’re one hell of an idiot.” Her words were said with tremendous fervor. After saying them, her eyes opened wide and she laughed. “I’m sorry. That was harsh.”
“No, that was actually nice.” I swirled the wine in my glass, staring down at the deep red color. I hated that it reminded me of blood. “You’re not going to fight me on this, Chloe. Even though I’ve returned, I assure you that the Petrov family will want to exact revenge. They know of your existence and they’ll want to hurt you.”
“Because I’m your weakness.”
I took a few seconds before answering. “Yes. You are.”
“You can just make sure everybody knows that I was nothing to you, and you care nothing about me.”
There was such pain in her tone that it sent another dagger into my gut. “Is that what you think?”
“That you don’t care about me? Maybe. I don’t honestly know. A part of what we just went through was horrifying, but the few times we were allowed to just be. You know what I mean, to enjoy each other’s company was amazing. However, I’m no fool. As soon as I realized who and what you were, I let go of the fairytale.” She took a sip of wine, returning her gaze anywhere but in my direction.
“What’s your fairytale?”
Her face lit up. “You know what it is. I’m no different than any other girl out there. I want my knight in shining armor fighting demons and dragons in order to come and rescue me. Then my prince and I would spend the rest of our lives together. In other words, the white picket fence surrounding a little house. Maybe a quaint cottage, nothing too large. I don’t need a big house, just a comfortable place to call home. But I’d want a Golden Retriever.” She had a faraway look, using her hand as she gave me the perfect story. “Yes, a big, beautiful baby boy. And a garden. We’d have to have a garden complete with those little decorative flags. Maybe the house would have a wraparound porch so we could spend our nights gazing at the stars. And a huge wreath on the door, so large that it fell half the time when the door was closed.”
Sighing, she brushed her hand through her hair.
She could have no way of knowing what the words did to me. I wanted nothing more than to give her all those things. Damn it.
“That sounds amazing,” I managed.
“No, I’m certain to a man like you that sounds ridiculous.” She snorted, shaking her head. “I’m sorry I’m such a stupid girl, but my house when I grew up wasn’t