Execution (Off Balance 2)

A light tap sounded on my door. I quickly wiped away my tears as Kova stepped inside. Our eyes locked and his face crumbled when he took in the site of me. He wasn't angry with my antics anymore—his face showed nothing but sympathy for me.

Everything came roaring back. How conniving I'd been toward him, how self-centered I was toward Avery, how I forced Hayden to carry a burden of lies for me. Tears fell like a waterfall and Kova rushed over and gathered me into his arms.

"Come, malysh. Come here," he said, pulling me close to him. "I take it that was your mother?"

I shook my head. "Avery," I said through the tears.

"I imagine that is worse for you."

More tears fell and I nodded. My heart hurt so bad. Kova climbed into my bed and got under the covers with me. He aligned his body with mine and I cried silently into his chest. He kept me warm and comforted.

"I'm sorry for ruining your life," I said, my voice muffled. It felt like I left a tarnished imprint in everyone's life lately.

He kissed my forehead and snuggled me to him. "You have not ruined my life. If anything, you have made it better."

My jaw trembled. "Kova?"

"Yes," he said, rubbing the back of my head. Fatigue hit me hard, I could barely keep my eyes open much longer.

"You should probably go home. It's getting late." And I'm sure Katja is wondering where you are, I wanted to add.

"I am right where I want to be. Now go to sleep."

Chapter Thirty-Five

Exhaustion had caught up to me.

"Adrianna, have you lost weight? You look awfully thin today."

I picked my head up and met Kova's concerned gaze. He stood before me, his face scrunched together while his eyes scanned the length of my body. He gawked unhappily while I dug through my gym bag searching for my wristbands. I had vault with Madeline soon.

"Um, no? Not that I know of, but even if I had, wouldn't that be a good thing?" I mocked with annoyance, rolling my eyes.

"Excuse me?" he retorted, placing his hands on his hips.

It’s been over three weeks straight of this self-induced madness I had asked for. Over three weeks of long and grueling, hardcore extra conditioning. Fifteen-hour day practices, muscles so overworked it hurt to walk or even lift a fork, sports tape covering various parts of my body, so much Motrin I should be committed for abusing it. Biting words crammed with harsh disagreements hurled back and forth. And of all things to say, my coach asked me if I had lost weight.

He should be fucking beaming if I had.

Okay…I was a little cranky lately.

I dropped my bag and stood taller, digging my heels into the floor. I winced. Today was not my day. I had an awful headache and my Achilles was throbbing terribly. It started out as a dull twinge here and there over a week ago and had progressed into a fiery pulse since then. But I had hidden it well, no one would suspect I'd been dealing with this new pain.

Not to mention, I peed blood again, only this time it wasn't as much.

Lowering my voice, my heart sped up as I said, "You repeatedly tell me I sound like an elephant when I land. Obviously, I'm too fat for your taste. My mom is still harping on me. It wasn't like I was trying to lose weight, but if it happened, then I'd called that a blessing in disguise. Wouldn't you?"

Kova stepped closer, a cruel darkness swirling about him. I swallowed hard.

"I am getting sick of your attitude, little girl. I have done nothing but give you what you begged me for every day, and every day you reward me with a sharp tongue I want to cut out. I do not know who you think you are talking to me like that, but it is getting old. You better get rid of that attitude fast."

"Or what?" I snapped, putting emphasis on the T. I licked my dry lips and Kova watched, his forehead creasing together.

Just when I thought he was going to come back with another ultimatum, he caught me off guard.

Kova titled his head to the side to scan my body again. Now he seemed alarmed more than anything, like he actually looked at me.

"Are you sleeping enough?"