“I don’t mind pain. This is nothing compared to other painful things. So don’t worry. Just leave me alone to rest.”
Viktor placed a throw blanket over her. Then he and Cosivan walked out of the room.
* * * *
“You care about her,” Dusty said to Boian.
Boian took a slug of vodka and then placed the glass into the kitchen sink. He sat down at the table and ran his fingers through his hair.
“It’s understandable. She’s beautiful and sweet, plus strong, too. She’s not like other women,” Dusty added.
“No, she isn’t. But she’s Karlicov’s daughter and we’re here to protect her,” he replied.
“She still has feelings for you,” he added.
“Because she’s inexperienced and young,” Boian replied.
“Maybe—”
“Stop, Dusty. None of it matters. I can’t have her. We can’t have her,” he said to Dusty and Dusty swallowed hard. Cosivan, Chatham and Viktor walked into the kitchen.
“What do you mean we can’t have her? We went over this a few years back. I thought it was decided that a relationship with any woman was pointless,” he said to Boian.
“I said that then because I was forced to not see her again. When I knew she was in trouble I wanted to take off like a madman and kill anyone in my way to get to her. Cosivan stopped me and calmed me down. Like always. Each of you has helped me in so many ways. In all honesty I was grateful her father asked me to stop the training. I wouldn’t have been able to be the man she needed or would have wanted. Not alone.”
“That’s not true. You’re more than capable of caring for her on your own. Besides, look where you not being around her eventually got her. In the middle of danger,” Chatham said to him.
Boian exhaled.
“We’re trained to be obedient. To not question an order and especially one issued by our bosses and our team leader. Some things can’t be helped. Sometimes fate steps in,” Chatham added.
“You’re the playboy tough guy fucking women left and right and whenever you damn well please. This is different, Chatham. I’m not talking about fucking some fine piece of ass. I’m talking about the future. I can’t do that. I can’t trust myself to handle it alone,” Boian admitted.
Dusty cleared his throat. “We all have our problems. Our weaknesses and hang-ups. But together we get through them and that isn’t going to change,” Dusty said next.
“That’s exactly what I mean. Together we get through things. Together is all we know. One team, one family. American soldiers first and then soldiers of our professions next. Where does she fit in with a life like we have?”
“Where does she fit in now? I for one think she’s pretty damn fucking perfect. You’re a lucky man, Boian,” Dusty added.
“No, I’m not. You want to know why?” he asked them. They stared at him. “Because when I thought about her being mine back then, about caring for her and protecting her, I thought about doing it with each of you by my side.”
“What?” Chatham asked.
“It’s exactly what I’m saying. Sharing her. Making her ours. I think her father knew that was a possibility, too. It could never happen, not with him working for Nicolai, not with her mother marrying that guy and wanting Nalia to have a normal life, not one tainted by violence and the complications of a ménage relationship.”
“It would never work now either. We’ve made too many enemies. Her life would always be in danger,” Viktor added.
“Look at Stone and his brothers. Things seemed to work out perfectly for them,” Dusty added.
“She’s Nicolai’s daughter and he basically picked Stone and his team for her. Get your heads out of your asses and remember why we are here and who we work for,” Cosivan joined in.
Boian exhaled and then leaned back in the chair.
They all went about preparing something for dinner as Nalia rested upstairs.
* * * *
“Nalia, there’s no one left to come for you. You got them all killed. Your father, your mother, the men who risked their lives to find you. You’re all mine to do as I please with.”