Her Lucky Number Thirteen (The American Soldier Collection 13)

Viktor reached over and tucked the sheet into the waist of her jeans.

“I need to undo this,” he said to her as she held his gaze.

“Do it,” she said firmly but kept her eyes locked on Boian.

* * * *

Cosivan took in the sight of Nalia. She was all woman from head to toe. Her belly flat and trim, her breasts abundant and exploding from the bra she wore. The sight of the black string to her sexy little panties was enough to make him come in his pants. One look at the others and he knew they were in a heap of trouble. They were all attracted to Nalia. They felt protective instantly. They had been obsessed with her for the last several months as they tried to find out everything they could about her and who she was, who she hung out with, even who she dated. Which was no one.

She was never with a man and that led them to believe she was a virgin. If what their sources said was true, it was another reason why Scarlapetti sought her out as a means of revenge against Karlicov. He could take her virginity and taint her. He could rape her, force a child upon her, and then kill her. It made him so sick and angry he knew if and when he got the order, he would kill Scarlapetti himself.

He stared at her little dainty sunflower tattoo, her sexy hipbones, and then the gash to her side. She was so damn lucky the bullet hadn’t lodged into her side. There would be no way of protecting her in a hospital and with cops around asking questions. They would have knocked her off in no time.

“Easy breaths,” he whispered to her as he set up the needle and prepared to begin stitching her skin.

He pressed a hand over her belly and she swallowed hard, glancing at him.

“Trust me,” he told her and she held his gaze and started to look panicked.

“He’s very good. We’re here to protect you and ensure you don’t feel any more pain,” Viktor told her.

She glanced at him and took a deep breath.

“I can handle it,” she said and looked toward Boian. Whether she realized it or not, she continuously looked to him for support, for direction. Cosivan almost felt a little jealous.

“Here we go,” he whispered. She tightened lightly on the first pinch of needle to skin.

Boian held her hand. Viktor placed his hand on her shoulder. Dusty and Chatham watched over them.

“Why didn’t you come back, ever?” she asked Boian.

He looked away.

“I want to know. Was it that I was so young, unattractive, boring and too simple for you, a man who has seen so much and is so worldly? I know my father probably felt I was ready and trained enough, but you felt something back then, didn’t you, Boian?” she asked and tightened again on the second stitch.

“Nalia,” Boian whispered.

“Forget it.” She turned away.

Cosivan didn’t look away from her skin. He heard her words and he could tell that Boian had feelings for her. She tensed again as he made the third and final stitch. He was trying to be careful and to ensure there wouldn’t be a bad scar. Knowing her father, Karlicov would have that taken care of and no one would ever know

she had been shot.

He made the small knot and then reached for the scissors but Viktor was there to hand them to him. He cut the end, then added the ointment before securing the wound with a bandage.

“You did great, Nalia,” he said to her.

She glanced at him and gave a small smile. “Thank you, Cosivan,” she whispered and then Viktor pulled away the sheet from her jeans. Boian reached for the clasp to cover her up so they could no longer see her black panties but she pushed his hands away.

“I am more than capable of handling things myself. You can leave now,” she said to him. Boian opened his mouth to say something but then stood up and walked out of the room.

Cosivan got up and cleaned up all the materials he used and needed. Viktor was next to her.

“You should take some pain medication.”

“I’m fine,” she replied.

“There’s no reason to feel any pain. We have stuff here. In a little while you’re going to feel the ache from the stitches,” Cosivan said to her.