I took a couple of steps, then paused. A sound from inside West’s room had me pressing my ear against the door. He whimpered.
Would he want me to check on him?
Would he want me to ease him from his nightmare?
A shuffle from down the hall had me looking that way. Lucas stood with Wreck at his back.
“I thought he would have nightmares.”
“Da, it sounds as if it has started.”
Lucas nodded, frowning, while Wreck just glared. “Are you going in?”
Wreck gazed down at his partner but said nothing.
A scream ripped through the house.
“Da,” I called and opened the door before me. I walked to the bed and sat on the edge at West’s hip, resting my hand on his shoulder. “Shhh, moya lyubov’. You are not there. You are home. With your friend Lucas. Shh. Nothing will hurt you here.” I hummed a tune my mama used to sing when I was a little boy while I ran my hand over the top of his shoulders, neck, and hair. He settled, his breathing evening out. “Good, moya lyubov’. That is it, breathe easy. You are not there, but here with me.” I continued humming.
After a while, West whispered, “What’s that song?”
I stilled for a second but then resumed tracing my fingers over him. “It is a song my mama used to sing to me when I was little and had nightmares.”
“It sounds pretty.”
“It is, and she has a beautiful voice.”
“I wish I had someone like that for a mother.”
I paused a moment. “Sorry, moya lyubov’. I wish you did also.”
“Tell me more about your childhood.”
“I am not sure it is a good idea.”
“Please. I know mine was shit. They were strict, and as punishment, I had to read from the bible in the basement without supper. It was why, when I got the scholarship, I got out of there. I got away from them. I knew my upbringing was a lot different to others, but I still like to hear about normal families.”
I snorted. “I would not call my family normal.”
“How?” he asked, and the more I was around him, the more I found it hard to say no.
“I said my family is mafia. I was brought up knowing this. When kids my age had sleepovers, I had defense lessons. Older, when kids were going out drinking, I was learning to kill a man with my bare hands. But I never went without. I always knew my parents would do anything for me, and they loved me.”
“Are you an only child?”
“Nyet. I have two older brothers, which was why it was easier for my father to let go. If I had been only child, I would have obligation to run business.” I knew I missed words to speak better English, but I was tired. “They want it more. I never did.”
“I’m glad you got to do what you want, Adrik.”
“Thank you, moya lyubov’.”
“Are you going to tell me what that means?”
“Nyet,” I teased with a small chuckle. “Are you ready to sleep again?”
He tensed.
“West?”
Shifting, I glanced down at his face. He had his eyes screwed shut, but I still caught the tears that escaped. Fear had taken hold. He worried about sleeping and the nightmares that came with it.
“My brothers are dickheads,” I announced. Before I pulled back and resumed my movements with my hand, I caught him relaxing somewhat.
He cleared his throat. “How?”
“Being the youngest, they always picked on me. But eventually, they stopped when I beat both of them in a fight. They still have moments, of course.”
His laugh was light, but it cut off with a wince. “Of course,” he said softly.
“My parents are in town at the moment.”
“Lucas said.”
“I am unsure how long they will stay.”
“It must be good to have them here.” He blinked tiredly.
“Da, it is.”
“Do you need to go and spend time with them?”
“Nyet, they know I will be here.”
“You don’t have to—”
“Hush, moya lyubov’. Maybe when you are feeling better, you could meet them.”
He swallowed thickly. “Maybe.”
He needs someone better. I’m not for him. I’m weak, dirty.
His words rushed through my mind again. He would not want to meet them until he realized he was my someone. Until he saw he was not weak or dirty.
“Um… what about work?”
“I have many men who take care of things.” I am where I need to be, I wanted to add but did not. He was not ready for my honesty. “I started reading those books.”
“Yeah? What do you think?” He yawned, and I knew I would have to leave soon, even when I did not want to.
“You were right. They do get better with each one.”
He smiled. I loved seeing it, loved that I put it there.
“Told you,” he mumbled.
“Da, you did.” I spoke about the characters, the storyline, and where I thought it would go. I talked and talked until I noticed his breathing had evened out. “Sweet dreams now, moya lyubov’,” I whispered, and bent close to press my lips gently to his temple.
Only when I stood, West jerked and gasped, “Adrik.”
I sat back down. “Da?”
“Nothing, sorry.”
“I thought you had fallen asleep?” I questioned.
“I had… but I felt the bed move. Sorry, it’s nothing. Goodnight.”
“West, may I rest on the chair beside your bed?”
“No! Please don’t feel you have to—”
“Hush.” I pressed a finger to his lips.
They moved under my finger when he said, “I don’t want to be a burden. You’ve already done enough.”
“Moya lyubov’. You will never be a burden. Trust me. I would like to stay.”
A blush hit his cheeks. He was always cute. “Then, in that case, take the other side of the bed. I… um, don’t move much.”
My gut twisted in the best way. “Thank you. I would like that.” It could help me sleep also, being close to him. I stood again and moved around the bed. West turned his head my way. With a wave of my hand, I gestured to my pants. “Do you mind?”
The blush was back.
“No,” he blurted quickly. He closed his eyes, and I removed my pants, slipping under the sheet. He opened his eyes as I lay down on my side, facing him.
“Do you need anything? I should have asked already.”
“No.” He smiled. “Lucas has me on the good stuff.”
Reaching out, I pushed his hair from his eyes. “Goodnight, West.”
“Night, Adrik.” He closed his eyes and relaxed into the bed. I did the same, and as I suspected, it did not take me long to find slumber being beside moya lyubov’.
“Hold her,” I ordered Wreck, of all people, and as he did, I gripped her jaw, prying it open. “You will feel everything you inflicted upon your son.” I smiled down at her tear-streaked face as she tried to wiggle free, whimpering. Wreck’s hold on her was steady, though. I rested the tip of the vinegar-filled jug to her lips. “You deserve everything you get.”
She choked and coughed through the amount I forced into her. Once done, I stepped back, and Wreck released his hold. She slapped her hands to the floor, heaving as she vomited it up. I knew her throat would be burning; it brought a small smile to my lips.