Thank fuck.
“Until then, just ignore it if you see I’m hard for you.”
“It’s kind ofhardto ignore.”
I lean back against the counter with his and her sinks. “Unfortunately, my cock doesn’t come with an off switch. I’m sorry if it makes things difficult for you or brings up bad memories.”
I’m surprised when she shakes her head. “Don’t apologize. As you said, it’s a natural reaction.” She comes to stand right in front of me and hesitates for a moment before admitting, “I only associate rape with Anton. I didn’t fear the guards would sexually assualt to me because I knew he’d kill them.” She lets out a sigh as if she’s frustrated with herself and lowers her gaze to my legs. “I thought it was something you might do, and when I approached you last night, it was because I hoped it would giveme some control. If it was my choice, it wouldn’t hurt so much, you know?”
“I get it.” The urge to comfort Nina surges through me, and I grip the counter on either side of me to keep from reaching for her.
“Thank you, Georgi.” Her eyes lift back to my face, and I see that she means the words. “My body hasn’t felt like my own for years. I dissociated from it, and I don’t know how to reconnect.”
I take a deep breath before reaching out to her and placing my palm against her cheek. “Feel that?” When she nods, I ask, “How does it make you feel?”
Her cheeks flush, and I brush my thumb over her pink skin. “Be honest, Nina. There’s no space for embarrassment between us.”
I can see it takes courage for her to say, “It makes my stomach flutter when you touch me.”
“I think you’re still very much connected to your body, Nina. You dissociated when that fucker touched you because that’s the only way you could escape. But your body is still yours.”
I pull my hand away, but she grabs hold of it and brings it back to her cheek. Turning her face into my palm, she closes her eyes. I give her the time she needs, and when a soft smile curves her lips, it feels like I’m given a glimpse at heaven.
“You’re right,” she whispers, then her smile crumbles, and she lets out a sob. “It feels good.”
With my hard-on gone, I pull her against me, and leaning down, I brush my hand up and down her back. Nina tries to lift herself higher, and it has me picking her up. Turning, I set her down on the counter before folding myself around her.
She grips me tightly, her breath exploding against the side of my neck. “You’re the angel, Georgi.”
We’ve just returned from the Cosa Nostra’s hospital, and I’m struggling to calm down, rage coiling in my chest until it feels like I might snap.
I should’ve taken Nina sooner, but with everything that’s happened, I forgot. First, there was the shopping and getting everything they needed, then Nina and Simi spent days unpacking all their clothes and converting two rooms into theirs.
They had so much fun, and I got lost in watching them come out of their shells while my body healed.
I thought Nina was doing well. She hasn’t even had nightmares, and I think it’s because Simi sleeps by her. I’m a little worried about how Nina will handle Simi sleeping in her own bedroom once it’s ready.
Christ, I thought getting them used to their new lives was the most important thing for them, and it completely slipped my mind to get Nina the medical care she should’ve received immediately after being raped.
I fucked up, and I can’t ever slip up like that again.
Nina shoots me an angst-ridden look for what must be the hundredth time, and not wanting her to worry that I’ll fly off the handle, I turn around and stalk back to the elevator.
“I’m going to check in with Raya,” I say, my tone too harsh, the rage simmering in every word.
As soon as the elevator doors shut, I lift my hand and grip the back of my neck while a growl rumbles from my chest.
The doors ping open, and when I walk into Raya’s apartment, I see her sitting out on her balcony, typing on her laptop. She only works at home over the weekends.
When I step into the doorway of the open sliding doors, her head snaps up, and the moment she sees the look on my face, she darts to her feet.
“What happened?!”
I shake my head and walk to the ledge. Leaning over it, I stare at the traffic below and begin to count all the yellow cabs as I try to gather my thoughts.
Raya comes to stand beside me and rubs her hand up and down my back while giving me the time I need.
I have no idea how time passes before I say, “We were at the hospital.”
