Viktor nodded before stepping back, quickly realizing he was crowding my space. He rubbed his head nervously before clearing his throat.
“What are your plans for today?” he asked, waiting for me to move. How was it possible for them to talk so casually when I knew exactly what he was doing just an hour ago in the basement?
They changed so fast. One moment, a ruthless killer while the next, they looked like a typical man. Someone gentle.
“Nothing really. I think I will just spend it with Maddie.”
And wait for Alessio to come back to me.
My steps faltered when I noticed Lyov coming up the stairs, looking too pale. My eyes widened in surprise, and I quickly lurched forward.
Viktor followed suit, grabbing Lyov by the arms and helping him over the last few stairs. My arm was wrapped around his waist, supporting his other side.
“What are you doing? You should be in bed,” I reprimanded.
Lyov tried to shrug us off. “I’m fine. I was just shot…I’m not an invalid.”
My eyebrows furrowed. “That’s not good, Lyov. Sam said you should be resting. You will tear your stitches if you keep walking around.”
“Am I being scolded?” He chuckled dryly, peeking up at me with a hard stare.
I swallowed hard and grew nervous under his unyielding stare. For a moment, I had forgotten who he actually was.
“No…I didn’t mean—” I stuttered.
“Only my wife scolded me,” he whispered. It wasn’t something he meant for us to hear. But we did. Viktor’s eyes met mine, and we both hid our smiles. He wasn’t angry at me.
Viktor and I helped Lyov to his room. When he was finally settled in his bed, I pulled the bedsheet over him. His breathing was labored, showing sign of pain.
“Should I get you a painkiller?” I asked quietly.
Lyov shook his head. Stubborn man. At least now I knew where Alessio got his traits. They were exactly the same.
“Thank you,” he breathed out.
I froze in shock, and I blinked. And blinked again. Finally, I smiled, patting his hand. “Don’t thank me. Just get well soon.”
I took a step back and saw him wince in pain. He shifted around, looking for a position that was comfortable.
Seeing him in pain brought another thought to mind. My gaze shifted to Lyov, and I finally asked the question that was burning in my head.
“How did you know Alberto was there?” I asked, moving closer. Looking back at Viktor, I waited for their replies.
“I was…watching you and Alessio. My window faces the path to the creek,” Lyov mumbled, breathing harshly through his pain. My eyes went to his windows and saw that he was right.
“After you disappeared into the woods…I saw another shadow. Didn’t see the face. I didn’t…know who it was. I just ran. I just knew I had to get to you both. Isaak and the others saw me running out of the house. They followed, not really knowing why I was running to the creek.”
Lyov paused and looked out of the window. “I didn’t know it was Alberto until it was too late. I didn’t have time to pull out my gun or anything.”
“We’re just glad we got there in time,” Viktor continued when Lyov fell silent. “If something had happened to either of you—the three of you—”
He didn’t finish his sentence, leaving his thoughts hanging. But I knew what he meant.
“Thank you. I don’t know how to properly thank you for this. I will forever be grateful. You saved our lives. If something had happened to Alessio or my baby, I don’t think I would have survived it.”
I knew my words affected both men, because they both looked away. I saw Viktor pinching his eyes closed, his fingers tightening in fists.
I smiled, placing a hand on his arm. “Let’s go. Lyov needs to rest.”
Viktor and I left Lyov to sleep, closing the door behind us. Placing my forehead against the door, I released a sigh. We could have lost so many lives. The thought sat heavy in my heart.
“Alessio is a lucky man to have you.”
My eyes snapped open, and I turned around to face Viktor. “Why do you say that?”
He regarded me for a moment, his eyes turning soft. “You have a kind heart. You see the good in people, even when there isn’t really anything to see. You disregard all the bad and focus on the good.”
My heart fluttered, and I could feel my cheeks heating under his praise. “Maybe it’s because nobody ever cared about me. I don’t want others to feel the same pain I have felt. It slowly eats you alive.”
Viktor stepped forward, moving closer. His hand came up, and I stood frozen, forcing myself not to flinch at this man’s unfamiliar touch.
His fingers caressed my cheek softly. “You’ve been through so much, yet you hold so much strength. He tried to taint you. He tried to break you, but instead you came out stronger.”