Hudson’s voice reaches my ears, and I look down at Arlo for confirmation. He nods, and I walk out of the room, closing the door behind me to give them privacy.
I fiddle with my fingers on my lap, sitting on the chair outside of Noelle’s room. Their men are heavily guarding this entire floor, just in case. Freya left a while ago, and I’m left here with the blonde woman who either has no emotions whatsoever or is too good at hiding them. Her expression is blank, to the point of it being rather terrifying.
It’s been around twenty minutes since I left the room so Hudson and Arlo could talk, and since there’s not been any shouting or the sound of Hudson’s gun going off, I’d say they’re talking peacefully.
“So,” my ears perk when the woman speaks, eyes snapping to meet hers. “You’re Blair.”
“And you are?”
“Ekaterina. You can just call me Kaya.”
“Russian?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.
“Do you speak the language?”
“No, unfortunately. It’s a beautiful language, though.”
She hums in response. “That is true.”
The silence stretches between us, uncomfortably. I shift in my seat a little, unable to ignore the scrutinizing gaze thrown my way. She’s not being subtle about it, either. I’d guess she doesn’t want to be.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m alright.”
She lifts a brow. “You’re alright? That’s… odd, considering what you’ve gone through.”
“I’m out, and that’s what matters.”
Kaya approaches me, her heels clicking on the floor of the hospital. She stands right in front of me, arms folded in front of her chest, her piercing blue eyes narrowed at me. Her long, blonde hair falls over her chest, and it’s perfect. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone with hair as pretty as hers.
“Arlo’s a good man,” she comments.
“He is,” I agree, unsure where she’s going with this.
“That being said, I came here to repay a favor to Noelle. My job was to find you. Now that you’ve been found and rescued, my job here’s done. I’m leaving tonight, and you’ll likely never see me again. Should Arlo require my services, he’ll know where to find me. Just tell him I’m gone. And try not to get yourself kidnapped again, alright? I’ve no time to rescue you again. The first time was a hassle and more than enough.”
My mouth drops open at her blunt words. I blink a few times, processing her words. By the time I realize she was shading me, she’s already gone, walking down the hallway. Her stride is confident, her posture prim and proper, and I can’t ignore the pang of envy that flicks through my chest. She has to be one of the prettiest women I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
My attention shifts to a newcomer, and I’m on my feet immediately. The set of teal hospital-provided pants and shirt is the first thing I see, before the face comes into view. Aria looks exhausted, but as soon as our eyes connect, she runs toward me,slumping against me.
Her arms wrap around me tightly, and I return the hug.
“Blair,” she whispers, voice cracking. “Are you okay?”
She pulls back, and I look at her with a soft expression. “Areyouokay?”
Aria purses her lips a little, looking like she’d rather talk about anything but the reason that landed her in that set of clothes, because it’s the one patients wear in the psychiatric ward.
“I’ll be released tomorrow.”
“That soon?”
She nods. “I’m not a threat to myself… well, anymore,” she tries to joke, but it’s a poor attempt.
“Stop that.”
“Sorry.”
