It might not be fair to Viktor but she was studying him for any of the traits, colors, and actions Craig had displayed at first. She was confused at how he didn’t show any. Craig would have never cooked her breakfast or fidget with his tie.
“Nica, solnishko, whatever you are thinking, please stop. I have to leave soon and I don’t want to go if you are upset.”
Nicoleta pushed her thoughts away. “I’m sorry. Things tend to creep up on me unawares. You do need to go. I wouldn’t want you to give a bad impression by running late.”
Viktor grabbed his suit coat from the bed. Nicoleta had let him use her bedroom to get ready. He knew he was relishing this morning far too much. Allowing himself to enjoy the intimacy they were sharing could be dangerous. He needed to keep things in perspective. She wasn’t ready for their relationship to go to this level permanently, but he damn sure was.
“I am meeting with Kylie this morning. After that, I have some errands to run, but I’ll return this evening. Do you know how long your cooking lesson with Amara will take? I can pick us up some dinner. I doubt you will want to cook after doing so all day, and I have furniture to move this afternoon and won’t be good for too much after that.”
“You’re coming back?”
“Unless you are planning on staying with Amara and Duncan or coming back to my place tonight, then yes I will. I’m not leaving you alone in the evenings anymore. Not until the person behind these attacks is caught.”
“I wouldn’t call them attacks…”
“You should, Nica. Whoever is behind this is gas lighting you. It’s a manipulative power move. Someone is after you and I won’t stand for it any longer.”
At the front door, Viktor turned toward her. He cupped her cheek in his palm before kissing her on the forehead. “What will it be? Here? Amara’s? Or my place?”
“I’ll be home around six. Don’t pick up dinner. I’ll bring something we make today.” She stretched up and kissed his cheek. When her eyes went to his a moment of longing hit her. She wanted him.
Chapter 8
Nicoleta watched as Duncan separated the egg, leaving a perfectly intact yolk sitting in the half shell. “Perfect!” she clapped her hands. She looked around for Amara but didn’t see her anywhere. “You can dump the yolk in the bowl now, Duncan. Do you know where Amara ran off to?”
Duncan chuckled. “She…ummm...is finishing something up.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“It isn’t anything bad. I promise. I um, distracted her this morning and didn’t let her finish her project.”
Nicoleta smiled.
Her talk with Dr. Dayan earlier had her wanting to put words into action. Dayan had told her she was shutting herself off from others. Yes, she was taking part in activities, such as teaching Duncan and Amara to cook, but she wasn’t engaging in anything other than the task at hand. The doctor challenged her to tear down some of her protective walls and let others in, which made her think of Viktor.
Since leaving Dr. Dayan’s office, Nicoleta had thought of nothing else but him. How easy it was to be with him. How he never made her feel rushed or as if he was demanding anything from her. She noticed how he did little things to put her at ease. Like when she would start feeling boxed in, it was as if he could tell and would step to the side allowing her the space she needed. Or, like last night when she had been upset and he had come over prepared to stay, even if it meant sleeping on her couch. She had a perfectly good spare bedroom he could have slept in, but it had felt too much like him being a guest. She hadn’t offered, and he hadn’t pressed the issue. He had to have had a horrible night’s rest. The couch was shorter than he was and a little narrow.
“Nicoleta?”
Duncan’s voice broke into her thoughts. She looked up at him, “Duncan, tell me about Viktor.” She casually moved him over and began completing the batter for the cake he was making. Duncan had a huge craving for sweets. Amara tended to stay away from sugar. Because she wanted Duncan to eat healthier, Amara would not bake for him. Nicoleta was showing him how to bake for himself, against her extremely vocal daughter’s wishes.
“What do you want to know?”
“Whatever you can tell me.”
“Well, he’s good man, but he made some bad choices when he first started out. Before he knew it he was tangled up with the wrong type of people. He rose through the ranks quickly, becoming the head of the organization’s top financial advisor. He fell in love with Elena DeMarco and they married early. When they had Tia both of them wanted to get out of the life they lived. Elena had a cousin, Lilly James, who had managed to break away from her family and their connections. They had everything ready to make the jump when Elena became sick. She suffered for years with cervical cancer before she lost the battle. I think Tia was around eight years old when her mother died.”
Nicoleta felt sorry for Tia and Viktor. She knew what it was like to lose a beloved spouse, and how difficult it was to go on for the daughter you had shared.
“Viktor knew he couldn’t escape and take care of Tia on his own, so he devised a different plan to get her out. One thing you need to know about Viktor. He could have taught Job a lesson in patience. The man waited twenty years to see his daughter free. He also isn’t a man to sit idly by and only wait. During those twenty years, he gathered information on the organization, stockpiled money and assets, created identities for him and his daughter, making certain there was history for those identities, and never once tipped his hand to what he was planning.”
“I’ll be honest with you, Nicoleta, I’ve never met a man who fascinated or earned my respect as Viktor has. When he found out his boss was hurting women, stealing young girls from their families and selling them, he contacted me. I later found out he had researched everything there was about me beforehand, especially my record for arresting the guilty while trying to help the innocent. He said it was what made him choose me. He felt I would help Tia get free no matter what happened to him. Something else he did that earned my respect, he was willing to go to prison for the things he did for the organization.”
Duncan chuckled wryly. “I had to talk him into going into witness protection. After I finally managed to get him to agree, I had to twist his arm to come here to Sapphire Springs. He knew the organization would be after him and didn’t want to bring that level of danger to his daughter or the town.” He leaned forward and got in her face. “Now, tell me why you are asking.”
Nicoleta felt heat infuse her face. “I’ve had dinner with him a couple of times.”
“And…”
“And, we’ve watched a couple of movies at my house.”
“And…”
“Duncan!”
“Tell me everything…well not everything, but what else has been going on?”
“You know the trouble I’ve been having?”
He nodded.
“Viktor stayed at my house last night.” She held her hands up to stop him from speaking. “He slept on the couch. And this morning, he made breakfast for us.”
“So you’re wondering if he is safe enough for you to pursue.”
Nicoleta choked. “I wouldn’t put it like that. I’m not pursuing anyone.”
Duncan laughed as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug. “Viktor has never knowingly physically hurt anyone. Yes, his financial wizardry made certain activities of the organization possible, but since he left them he has set up several funds to aid the victims and hired BSI to find those still lost.” He stepped away from her. “He has done all of this with his own money.”
“So he’s made mistakes, but is trying to rectify them and help those he hurt.”
“That about sums it up.”
“What sums what up?” Amara asked as she entered the kitchen carrying a wooden box. She placed the box on the island counter and moved in to see what they were making. “I should have known. A cake.” She rolled her eyes. “I have something for you, mama.”
“Use the m
ixer on low until all the liquid is incorporated. Once it is thoroughly mixed slowly add the dry ingredients.” She told Duncan before turning to her daughter. “I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show for this lesson.”
“Sorry. Someone distracted me this morning.” She glared at Duncan but there was no real menace to it.
“So I was told.” Nicoleta grabbed the towel and began wiping her hands as she walked over to the box. “What do you have?”
Amara opened the box to show her mother. It was the Dalakis Familie’s Book of Shadows. Amara opened the cover and fanned the pages, showing her mother the new recipes had been added.
“Oh my goddess, Amara. You have done a wonderful job in rebinding it. And this scroll work on the cover is gorgeous.”
“I knew you would want it back….”
Nicoleta shook her head. “No, love. Once it has been handed down it cannot come back. It is yours now.” She hugged her daughter tightly. “It’s in very capable hands.”
“Are you sure?”
She squeezed her tight once more then let her go, holding her at arm’s length. “I’m sure. You have already proven you are ready for the responsibility. Look how you have kept it safe all this time, and the beautiful rebinding and cover. No, it is yours now.” She kissed her daughter’s cheek then whispered in her ear, “Pass it on to your daughter, sweetheart. It is the way things are done. I’m so proud of you.”
Mother and daughter held onto each other for a long time. Duncan ignored them, putting his focus on making the chocolate cake from scratch. He wouldn’t do this very often, not when there was a store within driving distance and box cakes were faster to make.
Chapter 9
“Do you have a good grip on it?”
“Yes,” Nicoleta answered him.
“Push, while I pull.”
“Viktor, it’s too big.”
“Nonsense. On three.”
“Ugh. You’re a hard headed man. Okay, I’m ready.”
“One. Two. Three.” Viktor pulled as hard as he could while Nicoleta pushed on her end. When the thickest part of the tree slipped through the front door, he lost his footing and stumbled back. His foot tangled in some of the limbs and soon he found himself in the middle of her living room pinned under the eight-foot Christmas tree.
“Oh my goddess, are you okay?”Nicoleta rushed to where he was pinned. The look on his face was a mix between humility, humor, and pain. “Viktor, are you alright?” She shoved at the trunk of the Douglas fir tree he demanded they buy. Nicoleta wasn’t picky of what type of tree. She hadn’t had a Christmas tree in more than a decade so she gave in to his desire to have a full traditional tree.
As she laughed she pulled her phone from her jeans pocket and took several pictures of him tangled up in the tree. “Christmas cards.”
“Now that’s just mean. Here I am trapped under the tree and you sit there looking beautiful laughing at me and taking blackmail pictures.”
“You should have taken Luke up on his offer to deliver and set it up. Stubborn man.”
“I don’t need any of those boys from Kincaid Tree Farm to set up a Christmas tree. I’m old woman not feeble.”
“Pfft. Old. You’re like a little boy full of excitement and mischief.” She pushed on the trunk to help free him.
Viktor helped as much as he could but pinned as he was it wasn’t much. Finally, he managed to get free. Rolling out, he came up next to her and pulled her over on top of him. “It’s my first Christmas with my girls. I’m going to enjoy every minute of this time.”
“You’re right. Of course, you should enjoy this season with Tia. Perhaps we should have taken the tree to your place.”
“Don’t be obtuse, woman. I said my girls, plural.”
She looked at him confused.
Viktor didn’t elaborate. He was planning on enjoying Christmas with all of his girls: Tia, Nicoleta, and Amara. The closer he and Nicoleta became the more he wanted her and Amara in his life.
“Let’s decorate the tree.” She pushed herself up and off him before reaching down to offer him a hand up. “You didn’t hurt yourself, did you?”
Viktor took her hand but rose on his own. “I’m fine, solnishko. No damage, except to my pride.” He dusted himself off then picked a few needles from her loosened braid. “You decide where you want to put it. I’ll bring in the rest of our purchases.”
“You spent too much money.”
“Yes, darling, you’ve mentioned that quite often this day.” He kissed her on the tip of her nose. “Indulge me my Holiday fun.”
She rolled her eyes but was smiling. “I only have one more thing to say about it.”
Viktor frowned but nodded.
Nicoleta wrapped her arms around his neck, “Thank you for a lovely day. I haven’t had this much fun in ages.” She kissed him lightly on the lips.
The kiss was there and gone before he could take advantage of the situation. He let her slip from his arms and move freely around the living room. He could tell she had gone as far as she could for the moment.
During this past week, he’d learned with Nica he had to accept two steps forward and one step back. She was coming around, but it was a slow process. He was fine with that, as long as she was making progress and not hiding or walling herself off.
He wasn’t certain what had happened before Thanksgiving, but for the last three days, she had been lighter and happier than he’d ever seen her. She’d also been flirty, sweet, and she touched him frequently. That was a huge advancement for Nica. The only people she had willing touched were Amara and Duncan. She accepted hugs from Tia occasionally, but she was never the one to initiate them. The fact that she would reach out a hand to him, or kiss him was like a Christmas wish coming true three weeks early.
Viktor had time to be patient with her. He touched her gently as often as he could, which seemed to be paying off. While at the Blackthorns’ Thanksgiving Dinner, he’d noticed how Nicoleta sought him out when she became uncomfortable. Before he began staying with her, she would have sought out Amara or Duncan.
After his first uncomfortable night on the couch, she had pity on him and made up the spare bedroom. The bed was only considered an upgrade from the couch because his feet didn’t hang off the end. By the time Thanksgiving Day rolled around they had fallen into an easy routine. The only time she needed to step back was when something new happened. Like her kissing him.
He had made a point to hold her hand, kiss her forehead or cheek and when they walked together he looped her arm through his or placed his hand at the small of her back. While at the Blackthorns, he wasn’t sure if Amara noticed their new closeness, but Tia had. In one of the few moments they had alone, Tia let him know she liked the thought of him and Nicoleta together. It was good that she approved, and he told her as much, but to be perfectly honest she really didn’t have a say in his personal life. He was with Nica now and he wasn’t planning on that changing.
Since he’d been staying with her and she wasn’t going in the gallery, her stalker seemed to have either gotten bored or was taking a breather. Viktor wasn’t banking on the former. He kept a steady lookout for trouble, although he was loving the more relaxed version of Nicoleta.
Julian Reed had come into town the day after Thanksgiving. She’d looked at the security systems, examined the tapes and determined whoever was behind the gaslighting was an expert. The had hacked into the system in a way that hadn’t left anything for her to follow. She’d promised to keep working on it, but regretfully let them know there was no way to track the perpetrator. Viktor had been so angry at the situation, he called Katy Blackthorn and asked her to please take Nica out for a spa day. He had needed time to calm down and didn’t want Nicoleta to know how volatile his temper was at that time.
Viktor didn’t like getting angry. He was more of get even type. In this situation there was no one to get even with. He was ready to call Grigory and ask for help, but refrained. He didn’t need to make contact with th
e ECO, not unless it was a dire emergency. So far he’d kept above board and followed the edicts of his witness protection. But, something needed to change soon. He was tired of Nica being under this dark cloud, wondering when the next would happen and where.
With Nica being more relaxed, she showed him how easy she laughed. He loved her laugh. It was musical and made him think of sunshine. Her eyes were clear of shadows and fear, making her more beautiful than ever. The lines in her forehead, caused by her worrying, had smoothed. There were times he couldn’t believe this young, vital woman wanted anything to do with his old hide.
She was also full of surprises. Like today, when they’d been at the tree farm, she’d wrapped her arms around one of his and hugged him. Try as he might, he couldn’t stop from puffing out his chest and preening at having her on his arm. What did it say about him that he’d fallen for this woman so quickly?
“Okay, now. No loafing around. We have things to do. Chop-Chop.” Nicoleta clapped her hands together, her laughter ringing in the air.
“Bossy woman. I’m going.” He laughed as he went back outside into the light snowfall to bring in the rest of their purchases.
Viktor tossed a couple of pillows onto the blanket he’d spread out in front of the fireplace. In this position, they could enjoy both the tree and the fire. Turning off the overhead lights, he let the Christmas tree lights and flickering flames of the fire be the only illumination. It gave the room a romantic feel.
“I have to say, I’m impressed with our work,” Nicoleta stated as she came back into the living room with two glasses of wine and sat beside him.
Viktor took one of the glasses. “Not bad for a couple of people so out of practice.”
Flawed Perfection: A Collection of Winter Wishes Page 32