Maybe if I knew everything, it would explain why my grandfather, who was usually such a good character, was completely besotted with her.
And why I was so unnerved.
Chapter Three
Amy
My sister was sick, but not sick enough not to tell me not to go into work the next day, which was sweet but not practical. I needed to work so I could pay for her medical bills. It wasn’t like her insurance would cover even half.
I’d kissed her cheek and left her on the sofa in the small apartment we shared. Usually, she slept in the one bedroom, but she had wanted to get up, so I had let her. It was good to see some color in her cheeks, even if the short walk from the bedroom to the living room had made her out of breath and tired.
By the time I got to work, I was tired as well, but it was nothing a coffee wouldn’t fix. Pausing in the parking lot, I let my eyes sweep over the front of the building. Everything had been fixed, and a fresh coat of paint covered the bullet holes. A cold chill swept up my spine, and fear locked my breath in my lungs.
I didn’t want to go back in there, not after yesterday. I wanted to go home and curl up on the sofa with my sister and just be still. Only I couldn’t.
Sucking in a deep breath, I pushed open the door and greeted the temp receptionist. Carla had been shot yesterday. It was only a fleshwound, and she was fine, but I doubted I would ever see her again, which was a shame because I liked her.
I didn’t have the option to quit or even take a day off.
“The old Russian is kicking up a fuss for you,” the woman said tartly.
“Nikolai?” I speared her with my eyes. “His name is Nikolai. He’s a sweetheart.” I glanced down at the paper she handed me. There was only one name on it. His. Today, I would only be caring for him.
“I’d best get to him then.” Giving her a cheery wave, I moved quickly through the home until I came to his room.
“Good morning, Nikolai.”
His smiling face beamed at me. “Amy, you came back.”
“Of course.” I threw him a smile. “Couldn’t leave you alone, could I. Now, what shall we have for breakfast this morning? What do you fancy?”
“I wish I could take you to my favorite restaurant for breakfast, docha.”
“Nikolai, are you flirting with me?” I teased playfully.
Instantly his face creased into a frown. “Of course not, docha. I am far too old for you. But do you have a man at home?”
I ignored the question for a second, as I prepared his clothes. “No, just a sister called Allesia.”
“That makes sense. No man would let you work as hard as you do.” He nodded his head, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. He had some old-fashioned ways of thinking. Lots of couples worked. It wasn’t the nineteen fifties anymore.
Not that I told him that.
“You deserve a good man to look after you.”
“Maybe one day.” Neatly folded, I placed his clothes on the bed. “Let’s get you up.”
“Do you look after your little sister?” he asked, cutting me off.
“Allesia is five years older than I am. But yes, I look after her. She’s sick. I mean,” my lips twisted. “She has this heart problem. It’s no big deal.”
Cool blue eyes studied me. “So, you care for your sick sister, andthen you come in here and care for me?”
“I don’t mind,” I said in a rush. “She looked after me when our parents died. It’s the least I can do.”
He didn’t say anything. He just stared at me until I felt uncomfortable.
“What?” I didn’t mean to sound so abrupt. “I mean.”
