“I have the battle scars to prove it,” I said by way of answer.
“Babe,” he muttered.
“She called me the c-word,” I offered in my defense.
That got me another smile.
It faded and he whispered, “She signs those papers, we’re done with her.”
Better news, Tabby was.
“Yeah,” I whispered back, lifting my hands to curl them around his neck.
“All is in motion with the Russians. That plan goes down good, we’re breathin’ easy.”
He said no more, I correctly took it that was all he was going to say and even if that niggle came back I didn’t push it. I just nodded.
But I asked, “You okay? About Naomi, I mean.”
“Gives me the shudders, thinkin’ a woman who’d essentially sell her kids was in my bed and worse, as long as she was. But if this means the back of her, yeah. I’m okay.”
“Good,” I replied on a squeeze of my fingers.
“You need antibiotic ointment on your elbows and knees.”
“That might stain my blouse and skirt.”
“Babe, I’m loaded. Dry clean.”
“Right,” I whispered.
“Though, bad news for you, your skirt and blouse are already stained with blood.”
Such was the life of an old lady.
“Well, whatever, it was worth it.”
Tack gave me another smile but through it ordered, “Kiss me then I’ll sort you out.”
I held his eyes looking deep to be sure he was okay. When I was sure, I did as he asked.
Then my old man sorted me out so I was okay.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Mr. Allen Needs a Lesson
“Shame,” Grigori Lescheva muttered, lounging in a chair opposite where I was tied to mine, duct tape over my mouth, his eyes on me. “You’re very attractive.”
I was breathing heavily through my nose. I had no idea how easy it was to breathe, having two choices to use to take in air. Now, only having one, it wasn’t so easy.
Not to mention, I was terrified out of my mind. It was hard to breathe when you were scared shitless.
“Such extraordinary hair,” he continued. “And so much of it.”
I didn’t say anything because I couldn’t. Even if I could, I wouldn’t.
“Auburn,” he whispered.