Page 10 of Born into Chaos

The truth is I’m starving, but Vitaly and I are in complete agreement that certain lines shouldn’t be crossed. I’m an employee, not a family member. Nothing good will come of me getting too comfortable. I’m here to take a bullet for his daughter, nothing more, nothing less, so every time his wife invites me to stay for supper, I always politely decline.

When I look back at the couch, Sveta is staring at me, but she quickly looks away when our eyes meet.

“Sveta, are you going back out again?” her mom asks, probably wondering why I haven’t left yet since I told her I didn’t want to stay for supper. I’m wondering the same thing, but as much as it pains me to admit, I can’t ever leave until Sveta tells me she’s staying put. I need to hear it from her. We’ve come to an agreement of sorts, and I won’t leave this apartment until she gives me what I want.

“No, I guess not,” she finally says from the couch, not sounding happy at all to be spending her Friday night at home. Her brown eyes find mine again, saying the words she knows I need to hear. “You can go, Vitya. I promise I won’t go anywhere without you.”

Even though Svetlana is a handful and more than a little prone to trouble, I know she’d never lie to me. If she says she’s not leaving, then I know she’s not. I give her a nod and turn to leave.

“I’m going to Natalya’s tomorrow for lunch. Lara’s going to be there, too.”

I stop and ask, “What time do you want to leave?”

“Around eleven.”

I look back so I can see her once more before turning to leave. “I’ll be here,” I tell her on my way to the elevator. Once the doors close, I’mcareful to not show any emotion because I know there are security cameras in here. My face is a calm, unreadable mask as I swipe my card over the sensor, making the elevator stop on the next floor, and as soon as the doors close behind me, I let out a sigh. My head is killing me from the four-hour shopping trip from hell, the one I still don’t know what I did to deserve, and my dick hurts from a complete lack of use. I’m too depressed to even jack off, and it’s starting to put me in a really foul mood.

As soon as I unlock my door and step into my apartment, I know I’ll go crazy if I have to stay here all night. It’s not even seven o’clock yet, so I grab my phone and text Lev.

Me:

I’m done for the night. Need me to do anything?

I grab a bottle of water while I wait, and when his reply comes in, I smile as I read it.

Lev:

You can help Timofey. Meet him at Pink at nine.

I send him a thumbs up and head for my bedroom. After I’d taken on the role as Sveta’s sole bodyguard, I’d quickly realized that I needed more. I missed being a part of the action and getting my hands dirty. I’m not about to turn my back on my bodyguard duties, I don’t think I could sever ties with that woman even if I wanted to, and the thought of any other man watching over her and getting to spend his days right next to her doesn’t sit well with me at all, so my bosses and I came to an agreement. I can do extra duties as long as Sveta is safely tucked in for the night and it doesn’t interfere with my ability to protect her. On nights like this when she’s safely in her apartment and not leaving again until tomorrow, I have more than enough time to go have some fun and still get a full night of sleep so I’m alert and ready to protect her tomorrow. I don’t think Vitaly is all that thrilled about the arrangement, butLev gets it. He knows I’ll be better at my job if I have this outlet. Sometimes a man just needs to get his hands bloody, and I’m hoping tonight will give me that.

Changing into a pair of shorts, I grab some weights and start lifting. I’ve got plenty of time to fit aworkout in. I’ve been using weights as a way to deal with my sexual frustration. Since working with Sveta, I’ve put on a good bit of muscle mass. I guess I should be thanking her. At thirty, I’m in the best shape of my life. The irony is that no one is seeing it since my ass has been celibate since the night she saved me.

Putting all my frustration into my workout, I don’t stop until I’m drenched in sweat and my muscles are shaking. I down another bottle of water on the way to the shower, and once I’m dressed and ready, I grab my keys and check my phone. I’m not completely surprised to see a text from Sveta. She’ll sometimes send me one if she wants to go somewhere or if she’s just in the mood to bitch at me.

Sveta:

I’m watching Planet of the Apes and it made me think of you. One of them is grumpy as hell and just likes to grunt.

I laugh before I can stop it, grateful that she isn’t here to see it. It’s best to not encourage her, and sometimes that means I have to bite my tongue to not laugh at the things that come out of her mouth.

Me:

I’m sure he has a reason for it, and behind those grunts is most likely an incredibly intelligent ape. I’ll see you tomorrow, Sveta.

Sveta:

Don’t be late, Vitya.

Me:

I’m never late, and you damn well know it. Are you making me endure another mall trip after your visit with Natalya?

Sveta:

Maybe. I haven’t decided yet.

Me:

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