The Healing Touch - Apryl Baker Page 0,47
“Stalker? What makes you think so?”
Dimitri told him about Charlene and her antics. “I don’t think she’s dangerous, more pissed than anything, but Becca is worried about what she might do to cause trouble on social media and for my books.”
“She might be dangerous. Do you know if she’s on any medication? Got to know what brand of psycho we’re dealing with here.”
“Taking medication doesn’t mean she’s a psycho.” The quiet force in Rebecca’s voice startled both brothers. “I take medication, and I’m not a crazy person. Insinuating that medication makes you crazy is offensive, Viktor Ronin Kincaid. You should be ashamed of yourself for stereotyping like that. It’s debilitating to those of us who need medication for other reasons.”
“I, ah…” Viktor paused. “I’m sorry, Becca. You’re right.”
“Just don’t assume shit in the future, okay?” She looked out the window, and it nearly killed Dimitri to see the hurt on her face.
“I’ve dealt with some serious situations where schizophrenics and the like refused to take their meds and hurt people, Becca. That is what I was referring to, not to everyone in general. Forgive me?”
“Sure.”
Neither brother said anything for a minute, realizing how much Viktor’s stereotyping had affected her, only Viktor didn’t know why she’d gotten so upset. Dimitri would call him later and fill him in. He needed to understand it. Becca was a permanent fixture in Dimitri’s life, and his brothers needed to understand her so they wouldn’t upset her.
“I’ll get Mason working on this, doing background checks and seeing how deeply her fixation is rooted. Social media will tell us a lot. Do you think you might need some security?”
“No. Right now, it’s just a nuisance. I hope she got the point when I told her to fuck off earlier.”
“Language!” Viktor barked. “You don’t cuss around a lady. Mama would wash your mouth out, motherfucker…fuck, I did it again.”
“Shut up before you can’t get your foot out of your ass.” Dimitri smiled, but then it faded. “Viktor, has Mama said anything to you about Papa’s health?” He remembered his brother had been to Russia right before Christmas.
“Yes.” A heavy sigh rolled over the line. “He’s not well. She’s worried about him. When I was there, he was having issues. He’d cough so hard you’d think he was dying of pneumonia. Has he not gone to the doctor yet?”
“He has an appointment next week. He was coughing when I talked to him earlier too.”
“Let me know what the doctor says?” Viktor sounded as worried as Dimitri felt.
“Yeah, man. I will.”
“Okay, brat. Text me this woman’s details, and I’ll get Mason on this right away. Once I get his report, if I think you need security, I’ll send someone. No argument!”
“He won’t argue.”
“You let me know, Becca, if this woman becomes a problem. He won’t, thinking he can handle it.”
“Mr. Neanderthal over here? Yeah, I’ll let you know.”
Viktor laughed and said his goodbyes. Dimitri shook his head. “I am not a Neanderthal.”
“Could have fooled me.” Becca was interrupted by the GPS announcing they’d arrived at their destination. She went quiet, and he saw the fear override every other emotion on her face.
He pulled into the parking lot and turned off the Jeep. Several other cars were currently being unloaded. Becca’s eyes darted everywhere, her breath coming out in short gasps.
“Easy, baby.” He linked his fingers in hers. “Don’t look at them. Look at me.” He tugged on her hand until she did as he asked. “Just look at me. I’m not going to let anything hurt you. You know that, right?”
She nodded and took several deep breaths, working to calm herself down. Dimitri watched the effort it took and found himself so proud of her, he wanted to kiss her. That wouldn’t help her right now, though. She needed to trust him, to be at ease with him. She needed her friend.
“We can sit here for as long as you need, same as we did last night. If you can’t go in, then we won’t go in. I’ll take you back to the hotel, and we’ll forget this whole nonsense.”
“You can’t do that, Dimitri. Your readers…”
“Aren’t as important to me as you, Rebecca.” He gave her a lopsided grin.
She searched his face, and it utterly surprised him when she nodded and said, “Let’s go.”
Chapter Twelve
The North Charleston Convention center was massive, its wall of windows daunting. Becca stared at it with trepidation. It held so many people, people who would be crowding her, asking questions, demanding answers. Her hands