Unwanted Sacrifices (Russkaya Mafiya Book 3) (15 page)

The memory of seeing Kolya here in my room floods my mind again. This was the man he was speaking to in Russian before, but this guy sounds like he’s American. Clearly my mind’s too warped right now to figure out details. Hopefully, if this man really does help me, and once I get some water, I’ll be able to think much more clearly.

The coldness starts to set in again now that I’m wet and unmoving on the chilly cement floor. My teeth start to chatter, but my lips still stay glued shut. Holy shit, what is wrong with me? Did Chek do something to me? If he knocked me out and sewed my lips together, that will surely be the end for me. Ultimate method of suffering right there—have your lips sewn shut so even if you can get to something, you still can’t eat or drink it. The heat from my sickness seems to have thawed me out, because my body is no longer stuck in a numbness feeling, because it’s back to aching in protest.

After a few moments of me shivering and trying not to move because each time I do it sends uncomfortable muscle spasms throughout my body and separates the gash in my back, the man returns with a small yellow tub of something.

“I have to touch your face,” he mumbles.

I lay unmoving at first, unsure of what he may end up doing; but in the end, I nod my acceptance. He could help me, and I’d be a dumbass not to take any little ounce of help offered.

He scoops out some thick clear like goop out of the tub and globs it all over my mouth, massaging it into my lips and trying to get it in between my lips. Up and down, back and forth, round and round in circles, he’s surprisingly gentle; forceful, but gentle. Still, it’s almost like he actually doesn’t want to hurt me as he stares at my mouth intently.

I can feel my lips separate in a few spots but not completely. It’s stuck in the middle section. He pushes the oily gel into the spots that are cracked open, packing it in as much as possible.

“I’m going to let that petroleum jelly set for a second and it should help separate the skin for you. If your mouth doesn’t open, I’ll have to force my fingers in to part the skin for you.” I nod, my eyes shining with gratitude, trying to convey just how grateful I am for his touch of kindness.

I’m not getting my hopes up with this guy. I’m just happy about the fact that he may get my mouth open so I can have a small taste of water. I can’t remember the last time I had one…was it yesterday that Chek had come in? No, it must be a few days now I would think.

“Okay, let’s see if it worked.” He gently probes his fingers in the tiny openings of my lips again. It’s still not enough though and before I know what he’s up to, he forcefully shoves his fingers in my mouth, a rough moan full of pain squeezes through my swollen throat and the skin on my lips rip apart from being stuck together.

I can’t speak, just pant from the stinging discomfort. My stomach feels twisted up inside like it wants me to puke, but I have nothing in there to expunge.

“I’m sorry, but I had to. They weren’t coming open anytime soon. It’s been too long, and you’re severely dehydrated.”

I huff a few more times, calming my heart rate down a little and nod my acceptance.

“The Vaseline will help your lips heal.” He reaches forward and softly spreads the remainder over my torn skin to bring a little relief. “Do you want to try some water now?”

I nod my head again and he moves to get the water, turning the sprayer on low.

The water softly hits my cheek  and again, it’s warm. I turn my entire face into it, letting my nose thaw out slightly while the water runs in and out of my mouth, bringing some wetness back. It’s like pure fucking heaven. I’ve never imagined in my wildest dreams that I could miss something as common as water so much that I feel like I was just given the most precious gift I’ve ever received.

“Try to drink some of it, if I can find an IV bag with saline, I’ll bring it, but I have to be careful about helping you.”

His eyes run over my face in pity. I don’t care; they did this. It’s their fault I look like this, why I ache like this. Keep looking at me that way and feel bad. Hopefully I’ll get more water because of it.

I attempt to swallow but it’s raw, even with the warm water coating the inside of my mouth.

“Can you speak now?”

I try but have to stop and clear my throat, “ErrErrmmm.” I sip a few more drops of water and attempt it again. “Heiiiii” It comes out shrill and hoarse, but it’s a start. “Huuurrts…throat huuurts.”

“Your throat hurts you too?”

I nod and let the water run through my mouth again. The man pulls out a tiny flash light and clicks it on.

“Open your mouth and let me check it out.”

I move my head a little, adjusting my sore neck, and open my mouth as much as I can.

“Goddamn it. You need antibiotics; it looks like the inside of your throat went through a fuckin’ meat grinder or something.”

“Huuurts.” I gasp again and he tilts his head, staring at me sadly.

“Okay, I’ll go look around and see what I can find around here to help. I know you’re wet…do you want like a blanket or something?”

“Yes,” I whisper gratefully.

He walks over to the door, opens it, and bends over into the hallway. He comes back with two thin blankets and I feel like I could weep.
A blanket.

He covers me from my toes all the way to my chin with both blankets, tucking it snugly around me and if I could smile at him right now, I would. This has been the first smidge of kindness anyone has shown me here, and I wish I could repay it with a smile.

Once he has the blanket fixed to his standards, he leaves the room and I actually say a little prayer, hoping that he comes back again. Then I start to drift in and out of sleep like usual.

I know I must be sleeping, because this time I see the man coming back, but now he has Nikoli’s face.

NIKOLI

We arrived home exhausted
from such a long flight, fitting everything into such a quick trip. Even with sleeping on the plane I have a bad case of jet lag. An anxious Viktor met us at the plane. He insisted on taking care of Chek for us until we’re ready to question him. We had him gagged on the plane, so he would have to wait to speak until we want him to. Personally I wanted to question him right away, but Tate told me to wait until he’s set up at Viktor’s warehouse. He thinks it’ll get bloody, and I am fully confident that it will, especially if my sister recognizes him.

We’re not even completely through the front door before Tate is bum-rushed by his wife, Emily. She leaps at him and he catches her, spinning her around, just like you’d see in a movie or something. I’m usually very happy for them and I love them both and they deserve happiness, but right now I feel like telling them to fuck off. I wish I could be doing that right now with my little pixie.

“Niki!” Vishna yells and gives me a big hug. Her cheeks have some healthy color in them now and she’s dressed in one of my huge hoodies. She’s tall but it swallows up her thin frame.

“Na-na! I’m happy to see you say straa!” I grip her tightly back, over the moon to have a piece of my family in my arms, alive. “Let us go to my room, I need a shower and some comfortable shorts.”

“Okay moy brat. How was your trip?”

“It was educating. I think we found who we’re looking for.”

“Really!” She says surprised and lies across my bed on her stomach. She watches me as I go to my closet and grab a pair of basketball shorts and a plain T-shirt.

“Da, I’ll show you soon. I must shower.” She nods and I head into my private bathroom.

I think I removed all the blood off me on the plane, but you can never be too sure, so I give myself a good scrub over. I’ll get dirty again at the warehouse, but no need to freak my little sister out now. She’s been through quite enough already.

Once I’m clean and dried off, I dress quickly and head back out to my room. I don’t want her sitting out here waiting on me for a long time.

“Na-na did you eat yet?” I probe and slide on my comfy house shoes.

“Da, breakfast with Emily. That bossy American has been shoving food at me every two minutes—not that I’m ungrateful.”

I can’t help but to let loose a belly laugh. “She is Southern. It is custom for them to feed you a lot, one of the many reasons why Tate loves her so much. They both cook religiously. Did you enjoy yourself while I was gone? You weren’t too scared?” I inquire and head towards the kitchen. I’m always hungry so I love having the food around constantly.

“No, it wasn’t bad. I hope you don’t mind, but I slept in here instead of the room Emily gave me. I just needed to be close to you while you were away. I never want to be apart again,” she murmurs and trails behind.

“Of course I don’t mind. You are welcome to any of my things. I will take care of you from now on, I promise, Vishna.”

She nods, her eyes swelling with tears. “It’s just, we-we were practically babies when we were separated…I can only remember your eyes and white hair from when you were a child. Now you are grown man, full of accomplished markings and strong—Niki—you are so handsome, I am proud to have a brother that is you.” Tears tumble down her cheeks as she stands and I can’t help but hug her again. My poor sister has had too much persecution in her life.

“I’m proud of you, too, and we will never separate again. I won’t lose you, either.”

“Brenna was right; she would always say that you would grow to be a good man. She said you were a Phoenix inside and would overcome to prosper, never becoming one of the men that they feared.”

“They feared men, but you didn’t?”

“No, their lives were different than mine. We slept in the same room for a time, but then they grew faster than me and their bodies changed, but mine stayed looking like a little boy. The master put me to clean, but the others were not lucky.”

What she’s implying makes me fucking retch inside. If I could gut each one of those filthy pieces of trash, I would—happily.

“And Mother? Was she in the same room?” I busy myself stacking bread with turkey, ham, cheddar cheese, pickles, olives and mayo, and place it on a paper plate and grab a full bag of Doritos.

She starts to breathe faster, blanking out as we stand in the middle of the kitchen.

“Na-na? You okay?” I set my plate on the counter, stepping closer to her. I don’t want to freak her out, but offer comfort if needed.

“She did not stay with us; she was taken away very quickly. Mother was so beautiful,” she replies hauntingly, her gaze set on the window leading to the backyard.

“I remember,” I mumble and, as if on autopilot, take a bite of the sandwich. Time to change the subject; I need her feeling well for when I show her the picture I snapped of Chek.

REVELATIONS AND WAREHOUSES

So, I showed Vishna
the picture of Chek. I probably should have waited longer, but I couldn’t. I wish it went over well, but it was an arctic fucking meltdown in the kitchen after I had my lunch. First with her upset and then again afterword’s with me ready to take my revenge. 

Once I got her to stop hyperventilating and she was actually able to speak, she confided that Chek was indeed the man who prepared her to be sold. I felt like a total dick for putting her through it, but it was necessary. The few details she spilled were horrifying, and I know that was just a small part of it. I hated that my sister had gone through that.

What is it with men hurting and defiling the greatest gift given to us? I will never understand it. Do they not realize that a woman is like a butterfly? She can be pure and beautiful the more you encourage her and let her spread her wings. My Bina was kept closed off growing up, but once she was with me and free, she was such a wonderful person to be around. Her parents had never given her the chance to show them.

I have to find Sabrina now, and this Chek guy could be the only link I have to her. I’m hopeful my sister will be able to heal over time with the right kind of doctors and the love and support from me. Bina, however, may be on her way to death at the moment or already dead. I need answers, and I’m tired of waiting, I’ve already lost too much; I won’t lose Sabrina as well.

I’m honored that Vishna feels comfortable enough to open up to me a little. My sisters must have built me up over the years for her to have such trust. I’m afraid I may let her down though once she gets to know me. I’m no hero. If I was anything of the sort, I would have saved them all long ago.

Wasting no time, I leave my sister with Emily to comfort her in my absence. I text Tate that I’m headed to the warehouse. I can wait no longer; I need to do something and it has to be now.

Chek needs to pay for what he’s done. Life is no bed of roses, and Chek needs to realize that goes for him as well.

The trip to the warehouse takes no time at all and I’m happy to see that Alexei is here. It’s good to know that Viktor has his best man on guard duty. I watch as he sends a quick text message. No doubt, he’s logging my time and alerting Viktor of my arrival. I would do the same thing if I were in his position.

I doubt either Viktor or Tate want me to kill Chek. He probably has much more information than only where Sabrina is or what he’s done to my sister and countless other women. It’s clear Perfectcore is no business to help women become their idea of perfect; it’s a place for sick, powerful individuals to go and order their idea of perfect, then the woman gets ‘broken in’ until she fits their fucked up mold.