Page 52 of The Enemy Protector
“Inside,” Nelson says again, gesturing toward the club entrance. The bouncer is still there, looking shell-shocked but functional. “We wait for Sergei inside. He’ll explain everything.”
I look around one more time. Still no sign of Gregor. No sign of any of my father’s men.
They’re not coming.
I’m alone out here with no backup. Most of the people who’d been in line are long gone. Club security is working on a young woman on the ground just ten feet away.
I watch the beefy security guard do CPR. She won’t live. She’s lying in a pool of her own blood. Her only crime was standing near me.
Her two friends are sobbing and holding each other. They’re too close. If the gunman comes back to finish the job, they’re at risk. Every person out here and the first responders that are surely on their way.
I make the decision.
“Fine. But if you try anything, I will put my knife between your ribs before you can blink.”
He almost smiles. “I believe you. I know that lipstick of yours is dangerous too.”
And that’s another clue about how much he’s been watching me.
I let him lead me inside. The club is in chaos—people crying, the manager trying to calm everyone down, staff dealing with the aftermath. Nelson guides me past all of it and down a hallway.
I stop. “No,” I whisper.
Terror washes over me.
Nelson stops. He turns to face me, looks me directly in the eyes and shakes his head. “You’re safe with me. Grab your lipstick, hold it if you need to. I’m not going to touch you. Trust me, I like all my parts exactly where they are. He’d personally fillet me if I touched you.”
“He?” I whisper.
“Sergei. Please. I don’t want you out here. I can’t see every corner.”
My heart feels lodged in my throat. I’m breathing too fast. Panic threatens to take over.
I feel the danger around me, but it’s not coming from the man in front of me. I swallow the lump and nod.
He smiles. “Come on.”
We move down the hallway. He pushes a door open, and we step into an office.
“Sit,” he says, gesturing to a leather couch. “You want water? Something stronger?”
“Water.” My mouth is dry. My hands are still shaking.
He disappears and returns with a bottle of water, unopened. I check the seal before I open it. Old habit.
He leans against the desk, watching me. Not threatening, just...watching. Assessing me.
“Are you hurt?” he asks.
“No.”
“Sofia, I don’t want to touch you, but I need you to check. There’s blood on your dress.”
I frown and look down. That’s when I see it. Blood on my thigh. I don’t hesitate and jerk up my dress, uncaring that I’m flashing the guy.
When I don’t see anything, I look up to find Nelson looking up at the ceiling.
“It’s not mine,” I say.
