Blood & Torment (Pins and Needles: Moscow Book 2) by Elizabeth Knox (best short books to read TXT) 📕

“What’s her weapon of choice?” Now I’m curious.

“Knives.”

“Of all things, she likes knives?” I break out into laughter, and Kronid soon joins me.

“I assumed she’d prefer handguns, but no, she chose knives. The woman constantly keeps me on my toes.”

“All women do this, no?” I haven’t been with a woman in so long I can’t remember. While I’ve fucked them, I haven’t been in a relationship with one for many years now.

“They do.”

Things grow quiet between us, but since Kronid’s getting in a better mood, I keep him talking. “How are things going with the baby?” He doesn’t speak much about it yet, but I know that men generally talk about the baby much more when the women show.

“Good, growing like a weed, strong. We’re very blessed and have a very healthy child. It’s all I could hope for. Now, tell me about work. What else has been going on? You need to catch me up to speed.”

“Things are going well. I spoke to Marty yesterday and requested he come here to meet Khristina. She’s been through much already, and I don’t wish to make things difficult on her again.”

“Understandable. When’s he coming?”

“In a couple of weeks, he’ll be here.”

“Perfect. Now, get your ass out of here and take the rest of the day off. I’ve had some days of rest, so now you deserve it too.”

I appreciate the offer, but he knows I’m a man who prefers to work. “I can stay. It’s no problem.”

“It wasn’t a suggestion. You get going and spend some time with that sister of yours.” Mila, my younger sister. She lives with me and has since we left our village when I was sixteen. I did everything I could to keep food in our bellies and shelter over our heads. Now we’ve been in Moscow for years and I’ve created a stable life for us both. She’s off attending college, so with my money I make from working for Kronid, I can afford to pay for a decent place to live, all the bills, food, and pay for her classes. She can’t go to school full time because I don’t make that much money, but Mila appreciates everything I’ve done for her.

“Thank you for the afternoon off,” I tell Kronid and leave, doing as he’s requested of me. I head out through the front door and make a pit stop across the street to get some desserts for Mila and me. They will be a good treat for when she comes home from school. She probably doesn’t know how very proud I am of her. She’s done so many great things and will continue to make me proud. My Mila, she is going places and I will shout it from the rooftops one day.

Chapter Six

Trista

Over the past few weeks, things have been the same as always. After dinner with Ruslan and Sascha, I ended up crashing between the two of them in their bed. I drank way too much vodka, and in doing so, spilled my heart out to them.

This time I told them about my nightmares, and they’ve helped me find ways to keep them at bay. The trick is to make my mind believe I’m safer than I think, and in doing so, I feel safer than I have been in quite a long time. Honestly, this might be the safest I’ve felt in my entire life. I wish I’d met Ruslan and Sascha before now, that they were part of my entire life. If they were, I bet I never would’ve gotten into the relationship with Jacob in the first place. These two men are the family I wish I had growing up.

Each day I’ve gone to work, did my job, kept a smile on my face, and only when I get home have I allowed it to falter. Ruslan has come in several times to check on me. He’s made sure I had lunch and coffee, kind of like a supportive older brother.

Meghan made a joke the first two times he’d done this, saying I’d better not be hitting it off with Ruslan when he’s with Sascha. This upset me, but I’d let it go. Not that it’s any of her business anyway, but I know she’s only messing around. She knows those two are tight. Sascha told me when he goes out with Meghan and the rest of their friends I’ve yet to meet, Ruslan always goes with them.

Ruslan and Sascha both came in together the third time and that put a stop to Meghan’s joke. It’s when the two of them officially declared they were my big brothers now, which only makes me giddy.

When Kronid took Dema away on a trip, I made sure to check on her grandparents. Sascha did the cooking for them and the three of us all spent time with them in the evenings. Her grandfather even taught me how to play cards, and we might’ve eaten a few sweets from the café together. I’m a sucker for the Russian sweets. They’re so good.

Dema started working again two days ago, and she’s constantly smiling. I love her to death, even if I’m slightly jealous. I’ll never tell her or steal her thunder. One day, I will find my happiness and for now, I’ll just have to be content with my routine.

Last night, I told both Ruslan and Sascha I needed to start staying in my apartment again. How I intruded on them enough. This got me the palm up from Sascha and a stern look from Ruslan. “You don’t sleep at your apartment until you feel safe on your own again. When that happens, then you can do so.”

Sitting at my desk at Pins and Needles, I smile at the text from Dema. Her grandparents have doctor appointments today, so she took the day off to take them.

Dema:

Dinner tomorrow night? You and me?

Me:

Love too. I’ve missed your face.

Dema:

You saw me yesterday.

I can imagine her eye roll.

Me:

Seeing