Page 65 of Lord of Vice
My friends had always had nightmares, screaming when the boogeymen appeared from the shadows. I’d done nothing but laugh because they weren’t real. There were no little green men or bad guys with machetes hiding underneath my bed, no hairy monsters living in my closet.
Yet as I turned around, I realized nightmares were real, mankind a freakshow of violence and murder. Blood covered several surfaces, the once beautiful leather couches covering in red strings. Bodies seemed to be everywhere, terrifying in their stillness.
Kraven followed my gaze, immediately pulling me against him. As soon as we were out in the corridor, he pushed me against the wall, placing a single finger underneath my chin. “It’s going to be fine, Penny.”
“How can it be?” I managed, tears finally slipping past my lashes. “How can it ever be?”
The drive seemed short but also felt like the longest ride of my life. It was already pitch-black outside, the cresting moon in the sky barely visible. I couldn’t get warm, couldn’t stop envisioning the horrible scenes that had plagued my life over the last couple of days. Everything was surreal, as if I was doing nothing more than living in a bubble that was prepared to burst.
I was cognizant Kraven was barking out orders, making one phone call after another while driving to his home, but had no clue of what he’d said. Not that he’d spoken in his native language but that my brain couldn’t tolerate any additional trauma.
Even Remington had remained severely affected by what he’d seen, not making a single sound during the drive. I had my hand behind me, trying to comfort him while I continued to feel so alone, so helpless.
So uncertain of the future.
Kraven tossed the phone onto the dashboard, his exhale exactly the way I felt. “We’ll be home soon.”
“Home. I don’t have a home any longer. Remember?” I hadn’t realized until at that moment I was scratching my scars. Even after I’d stopped cutting myself, when I was nervous, I resorted to the bad habit. I had a feeling I’d made my skin bleed, although I wasn’t certain I could tell since I’d yet to have a chance to wash off the blood.
Realizing what I was doing made me rub my palms down my dress over and over again. It wasn’t going to help. Misha’s blood was caked on, dried. I was suddenly panting, now sweating where I’d had the chills before. I pressed the button for the window, infuriated when it didn’t budge. When I slammed my fist against the glass, Kraven hissed, immediately grabbing my hand. Even though he squeezed for reassurance, my instinct was to try to pull it away.
“Calm down, pretty Penny.”
“How in God’s name can you say that after what just happened? Maybe you’re used to the horror but I’m not. The worst thing I’veseen was when my mother took her last breath, her body nothing but a stick. I was heartbroken but knew she’d gone to a better place. At least that’s what our minister told my father and me. I don’t know if I believe in heaven and hell now.”
I also had the habit of rambling when I was anxious or frightened. Right now, I was both. But oddly enough, no longer of the bloodied man sitting next to me. In two days, I’d found myself feeling almost comfortable around him. No, the intensity of my feelings was more significant. It felt as if I needed him like the air around me to breathe.
It was crazy, possibly heading into the insane but I’d thoroughly enjoyed the day. Just to see the man playing putt-putt had done my soul some good. Even when I’d smeared ice cream all over his face or the moment I’d yanked him into the water at the park, I’d seen utter joy and I knew it had been as surprising for him as it had been for me.
I pounded on the glass again, still panting. “Open the goddamn thing. I need some air.”
He pressed a button on the massive interactive screen on the dashboard, which allowed me to control the window. Maybe I should unlock the door at the same time.
He turned down a driveway, lowering his window as well to motion toward one of four or more guards. They looked like Marines standing guard at a gatehouse, ready to shoot at will.
I took a deep breath while Remington tried to get to the man who leaned over.
“Good evening, sir,” the guy said.
“Is my brother here?” Kraven asked. I sensed he was exasperated and I’d almost forgotten he’d mentioned he had a brother.
“He’s here. He’s not happy about it either. He was brought back from a club.”
Kraven snorted. “He can sulk all he wants. Any other sign of trouble? Any visitors?”
“Nothing. I have twelve men on duty tonight. They’ll keep good watch.”
“Call me if you see anything and I do mean a goddamn coyote.”
“Will do, boss.”
He rolled up the window, pressing down on the accelerator as he rolled down the long driveway. Vegas was so damn dry, watering barely allowed. There were no pretty shrubs or flowering trees, but I could swear there were prickly cactuses off on both sides. I hadn’t paid much attention to how far we’d driven but seeing the bright stars in the sky allowed me to realize his estate was far removed from the bright lights of the city.
I leaned forward, enjoying the fresh air as I stared up at the sky. The stars were twinkling so brightly, like the beacons of hope that I’d mentioned to the brutal Russian seconds before tragedy had struck.
“How did you kill all those men by yourself?” I don’t know why I asked or if I really wanted to know.
“It’s called training, Penny. My father was in the Russian army and had a stint in the KGB. While my family left Mother Russia prior to my requirement to serve, he made certain I was taught everything he’d been beaten into learning.”