Vik (Shot Callers 2)

It was around nine o’clock when I saw the stream of lights sweep past my front window. I heard the jingle of keys, and I didn’t even want to think about how natural it felt for him to use them, as though he belonged here with me. I supposed there was a reason I never asked for them back.

He entered my house, and when he found me sitting on the floor in the living room, he approached guardedly. Once I lifted my face to greet him, his cautious gaze swept over my features, and I smiled feebly. Gingerly stalking over, he stood close enough that my shoulder brushed his knee, and when he placed his palm on my crown, I leaned into his touch, relaxing my weight against his strong leg.

Without a word between us, he took my hand and helped me up, gently tugging me along as he brought me up to my room. I stood in the open doorway, unspeaking, with a pounding heart and mild anxiety, but ultimately, the longer I spent out of my room, the more likely it would become a trigger for me. And so, I grew a pair and took a single step inside.

The second I did, I felt heavy. Pressed down with the weight of a ghost. But still, I endured.

We dressed for bed in silence, and although Vik brought the spare blankets upstairs, I found I didn’t want him away from me. Not tonight.

I climbed under the covers and sat up, looking unsure of myself.

Vik noticed.

Pretense forgotten, he waited patiently at my bedside for the invitation he knew was coming, and when I lifted the covers, he looked relieved. Taking in a deep breath, then exhaling slowly, climbing in behind me wearing nothing but black boxers, he wrapped his arm around my waist, pressing his steely chest into my back. He stroked the bare skin of my stomach soothingly. I closed my eyes, taking in his warmth, craving the shelter he provided. With a gentle kiss to my shoulder, he sighed into the pillow, and we drifted off to sleep.

I couldn’t remember a time I slept better. Hence my good mood.

Now, with a sly smile, I readjusted the box I was holding under my arm and made the walk over to Sasha’s. It didn’t take long. That was one of the most convenient things about living on the same block of land with my brothers. We had always been close, even as kids. The fact that we all agreed to live in such close proximity to one another told you everything you needed to know about how well we got along.

Well, most days.

And because Sasha never brought women home, it was safe to use my key here. I unlocked the door and let myself in, shuffling the box I held from arm to arm. I followed the sounds of conversation coming from the back of the house, and when I strolled into the kitchen, I peeped Ada preparing dinner.

I prowled over, looking over her shoulder before resting my chin on it and letting out a pathetic-sounding, “Ada, I’m hungry.”

A long wheeze of a chuckle left her, and she lifted a hand to stroke my hair. I closed my eyes and breathed in her sweet perfume.

“I’ve got a batch of blueberry muffins cooling, but I can whip you up something else if you like.” Her white, coiffed hair tickled my nose. I wrapped an arm around her middle and cuddled her a moment. I felt the words vibrate through her back and into my chest. “Are you staying for dinner, baby?”

Ada was more than just a cook, more than the property’s caretaker. Having worked for the Leokov’s for more than twenty-five years, she was family. I loved her dearly; we all did. But to me, she acted as a stand-in to the mother I lost. Many times during my teenage years, poor Ada had borne the brunt of the flurry of hormones wreaking havoc on my body. Having no other women to help me through it, she sat me down one day and talked to me about it.

She took my hand in hers and held it tight. “Your body is making some changes, honey. Those changes are making you into a woman. The problem is, you have the mind of a girl, and it’s finding it hard to deal with these big, womanly emotions you’re feeling. And, baby, I am so sorry for that. No one said becoming a woman was easy.”

It was so simply put, but I would never forget it. The kindness she showed me while managing to explain the whole puberty thing in a way I could understand was beautiful. Ada really was a wonderful person.

“I wasn’t invited,” I muttered, feigning hurt.

Ada laughed before leaning back to look at me. “Remind me when that has ever stopped you.”