My friend tips his head at Simi. “Are you sure about this, brother? You’ve just been through a very traumatic experience, and your life doesn’t cater for a woman and a child. You won’t be able to fuck around like you used to.”
“Aren’t you happy. I’ll leave your strippers alone,” I joke. A frown forms on his forehead, so I add, “I’m dead sure.” Knowing Nina is asleep, I admit, “She risked everything for me by setting me free, and before that she took chances that would’ve cost her severely if she was caught.” I swallow hard on the sick feeling the memory brings up. “And we went through something together that bonded us.” With absolute certainty, I say, “Nina and Simi now belong to me. Nothing will change my mind.”
He nods, then places his hand on my shoulder as he rises to his full height. “Just checking. You know I’m only looking out for you.”
“I know.”
When Adriano returns to his seat, my sight falls on Raya, who’s staring at me.
“How are you doing?” I ask her. “What happened while I was gone?”
“I’m…” She shakes her head, her chin quivering. “It was the worst four days of my life, Georgi. I thought I was going to lose my mind.”
When a tear rolls down her cheek, I say, “Dad.” Getting his attention, I nod at my sister. “Hug her for me.”
Dad gets up and moves Simi’s notepad and crayons out of the way before sitting down and pulling Raya into his arms. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Daddy’s got you.”
Raya lets go of the tension she’s been holding back and sobs softy against Dad’s chest while keeping her eyes locked on me.
“I’m fine,” I say, my tone gentle and loving. “I’m here, Raya.”
“I was so scared,” she whispers. “After the first two days, I thought you’d been killed. I never want to feel that loss again.”
Emotion wells in my chest, and I tilt my head, just keeping eye contact with my sister. “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Suddenly, Nina grips my right arm, and when my head snaps to her, she’s shaking her head, her breath speeding up fast.
“Don’t look!” she cries.
Remembering the harrowing screams from her having nightmares, I keep my left arm steady around Simi while I reach my right one across Nina’s lap, giving her thigh a firm shake. “Wake up, Nina.”
I don’t want her screaming like that in front of everyone.
Luckily, her eyes pop open, but they’re filled with so much horror, it takes a brutal swing at my heart.
“Hey, it’s okay. It was a bad dream,” I say, hoping to set her at ease.
Her gaze locks on Dad, then she inhales sharply. Pulling her legs up, she pushes her face into the narrow space between my arm and the seat, as if she’s trying to worm her way behind me so she can hide.
I begin to rub up and down the outside of her leg, listening as she sucks in deep breaths, but the next instant, I hear a smothered sob.
Turning my head, I whisper, “I’m here. You’re safe.”
She nods, but stays hidden behind my arm, and it only makes me feel even more protective of her.
It also gives me hope. While Nina’s dazed from the nightmare, she turned to me for safety.
Chapter 16
Nina
God, I feel so sick.
My head is pounding, making it difficult to think.
“Serve lunch,” I hear Adriano order. “Anyone want a drink?”
