Had Sacha said something? Had he described her as his wife or did they assume? She followed the nurse who held a curtain aside for her to enter. Didn’t he at least rate a room? He was sitting on the edge of the bed. His color had returned.
“What are you doing up?”
“They’re springing me. I only needed some stitches. I feel fine though I’m a little loopy from the pain medication,” Sacha said.
“They aren’t admitting you?”
“No.”
“I called Viktor.”
“Call him back. I’m fine.”
She handed him his cell phone. “You call him. He probably won’t believe me.”
Sacha called his brother and reassured him that he was fine. He was going home to sleep. He then called for his car.
“You sure you’re okay?” Kendra said.
Sacha smiled. “I’m good. I’ll be even better when I get home.”
She stood in front of him, eyeing his arm. It was bandaged up and he was favoring it. He had no shirt on. It was probably too bloody. She wanted to touch him, make sure he was still alive even though he was right there.
“My car will be here soon.”
“Okay. Then we’ll go home.”
The grin on his face was almost creepy, but she had to laugh. His eyes were a little glazed. “I think we need to get you out of the city.”
“Let’s talk about that tomorrow, or later; sometime when you aren’t doped up, Sacha.”
“I’m fine. My critical thinking skills are fine.”
Too bad he’d slurred a few of those words. His eyelids dropped a little. The nurse came in with a wheelchair.
“Is he going to be okay?” Kendra said.
“He’ll be fine. We’ll wheel him out of here. Is your car here?”
“No, we’re still waiting on the driver,” Kendra said.
“He’s here,” Sacha said, perking up. “He just texted me.”
“Okay, then.” the nurse said.
She helped him into the wheelchair. Kendra followed them out. The driver poured Sacha into the limousine. The nurse eyed the vehicle then smiled at Kendra. “Sweet ride.”
“Thanks.”
Kendra climbed in and the driver closed her door. Sacha was slumped over but when she settled into the seat, he rolled himself so that his head was on her lap.
“You’re beautiful,” he said. “What the hell are you doing with me?”
“I’m going to assume the drugs are in full force and that was a rhetorical question.”
He put a hand on her face. “No, seriously. I’m no good for you Kendra.”
She chuckled and shook her head. “Sacha, go to sleep.”
“You could have any man you want. Why would you want someone who has no interest in getting married? Why not find someone and make babies with them?”
She patted his hand then took it off of her face. She laced her fingers with his and then he let out a light snore. He was quiet the rest of the trip. He roused when she shook him.
“Hm?” He sat up then he laid down again. “Everything just spun around.”
“Get up slower then.”
How the heck was she doing to get him upstairs and into bed? She couldn’t carry him. This time he sat up more gingerly. “Okay?” Kendra said.
“Yes, I am. Thanks.”
He leaned against the wall as they rode the elevator up. She wasn’t far from him, knowing he still wasn’t steady. “You should go to bed.”
“Is that all you can think about Kendra?” Sacha said.
“You are of no use to me in your present state,” she said. “You need help getting to bed?”
“I think I can make it there.”
He stumbled a little as he went down the hall. He ended up guiding himself with his hand on the wall. Kendra watched, listening for a thud in case he fell down.
“Is Mr. Kozlov okay?” Cliff said. He’d appeared at Kendra’s feet. The nanny wasn’t far behind. She said her goodbyes. Kendra could take over for the rest of the day.
“He was hurt but he has to sleep it off. He’ll be fine.”
She hoped.
***
Sacha woke up several hours later. He was across his bed, with his running shoes still on. He hadn’t showered after the run and he felt pretty ripe. The pain medication had worn off and his shoulder was once again on fire. He didn’t like how he felt on the pills so he wasn’t going to take them again except that he wasn’t sure he could breathe from the pain when he finally moved to stand up. He sat back down on the bed. The stitches tugged and if he even breathed heavily he winced.
“Damn.”
“You’re alive?” Kendra was in the doorway. Cliff peaked in behind her.
“Yes, I’m alive. And in a lot of pain.”
“The nurse gave me some pain medication. You want some?” Kendra said.
“I haven’t decided. I don’t like how I feel on them but I’m not a fan of the pain itself.”
“Take half of one.”
“Not yet. I need to think through this situation.”
“What do you need to think through?”
Sacha shook his head. He didn’t want to talk while Cliff was there. He didn’t want to scare the boy. “We can talk later.”
“You need dinner?” Kendra asked.
He was hungry. “Dinner? It’s that late?”
“You slept the day away.”
“And you snored, really loud,” Cliff said.
Kendra hushed him but Sacha laughed. “It’s fine. I’m sure I snore.”
Sacha wasn’t ready to stand so he motioned for Cliff to sit next to him. “What have you done with your day today? While I slept?”
Cliff climbed up onto the bed. “Kendra and I played some games. I built more on that LEGO kit you gave me. I’m almost done.”
“I guess I’ll have to find a bigger one next time,” Sacha said.
Kendra stood in the doorway, a small smile on her face. Sacha liked Cliff. He was a sweet little boy, but it made his heart ache for his own son that he never knew. Would he be able to make up for lost time? He hoped.
“Really? That would be great Mr. Kozlov.”
“You’ll have to give me some ideas of what you like,” he said.
“I’m sure whatever you get him will be fine,” Kendra said.
Cliff looked from one to the other. “Right. What Kendra said.”
Sacha chuckled. He’d talk to the boy alone.
“Come on, Cliff. I’m sure Mr. Kozlov wants to shower and we need to make him dinner.”
Cliff jumped off the bed. The jolt had Sacha wincing, but he didn’t make a sound. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”
Kendra and Cliff left. Sacha stood outside the shower trying to figure out how he was going to get undressed with one hand. He shuffled to the door of his bedroom. “Kendra?”
She appeared in the hallway. “Yes?”
“I need some help.”
She smiled. “Hard to undress with one hand?” She followed him to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
“Yes. I’d ask you to join me in the shower but not with Cliff around.”
“I would decline,” Kendra said.
Sacha chuckled. He sat, and then untied his shoes. He toed those off. Kendra slid off his socks. He stood as she removed his pants and boxers. He was turned on of course, a beautiful woman was undressing him.
Kendra just shook her head at the sight of his erection. “I’ll be back in ten minutes to help you get dressed.”
“Thanks. I hate feeling so helpless.”
She shrugged. “You’ve done so much for Cliff and I, it is the least I can do to repay you.”
She left him. He took a shower, hoping that he was able to wash enough not to smell. He had to keep the stitches dry so it was a dance to keep his shoulder out of the water. Thankfully no one could see him. He must look pretty funny.
Dressed with the help of Kendra, he now sat in his kitchen, eating dinner. Cliff played a
game and Kendra sat with Sacha. “I think the situation has gotten worse. I have a feeling they’re going to escalate their attempts on you. I’m not sure if even this building is secure enough.”
“What do you suggest?”
“I have a house in upstate New York. We can get there by helicopter. We can leave Cliff with Viktor and Alia.”
“Isn’t she due soon?”
“No, she’s not due for a month or so,” Sacha said.
“I’m not comfortable leaving him there.”
“I don’t think you have a choice. We need to get you out of the city until Nik makes his arrests. Then you’ll be safe again.”
Kendra glanced at Cliff her lips pressed together. “I guess if you insist. I don’t want him to be in any danger.”
“Since they’ve probably connected the two of us, I don’t think it’s safe here,” Sacha said. He’d feel better with Kendra out of the city. He could helicopter back and forth for work.
“Have you talked to Viktor?” Kendra said.
“I will. I know Viktor. He’ll do it for me.”
“If you insist.”
He reached across the table, squeezing her hand. “I insist Kendra. I said I’d protect you and I’m not going to stop doing that because it was more difficult.”
She looked at their hands then nodded. “Okay. When will we go?”
“First thing in the morning. I can have my driver take Cliff to Viktor’s place in the city. They’ll make sure to take him to their house.”
“You have it all figured out.”
“I usually do. I’m a detail kind of guy,” Sacha said.
“Thank you again. You’ve done more than anyone else would. More than anyone has ever done for me. I don’t know how I will ever repay you.”
“There is no need to repay me.”
Chapter8
Kendra kissed Cliff goodbye. Alia had insisted her driver would get the little boy and she would come with him. Kendra hugged the pregnant woman. She really did glow. “Thank you for taking him.”
“It’s not a problem. I look forward to spending time with him,” Alia said. “Sacha said that he’s a sweet kid.”
Alia held out her hand to Cliff, who took it. He skipped alongside her to the car parked in the underground garage. Kendra had a wistful moment. Cliff wasn’t her child, but she’d raised him just like a mother. She would miss him, but he was in good hands. She was sure of that. Sacha wouldn’t put Cliff or her in any danger. Not on purpose for sure. Still, she’d been with Cliff since he was born. She fulfilled the role of a mother and now she was feeling like she shouldn’t abandon him.
He didn’t seem too upset to be going with Alia. She waved again before she climbed into the limousine. This family single-handedly kept the limousine companies in business.
Sacha put a hand on her arm. “He’ll be fine.”
“I know that rationally. I’m just a little unnerved by all of this.”
He nodded. “You packed?”
“I have some last minute items to put in.”
He entered the elevator with her. He studied her as the car went to the top. She finished her packing then rolled her suitcase to the front door.
“The helicopter is here,” Sacha said.
“We aren’t driving?”
“No. We’re flying,” he said.
Kendra had never been in a plane let alone a helicopter. They took the elevator to the roof. Sure enough. There it was. Its rotors were still and a pilot sat in the front. He climbed out then shook hands with Sacha. He helped her climb in. When she was strapped in, he handed her headphones. “It’ll be loud otherwise and we can talk.”
She nodded then put them on. She helped Sacha with is because his arm was in a sling. He felt better when it was immobilized. He refused to take any pain medication. He didn’t like how it made him feel.
The helicopter took off and butterflies chose to occupy Kendra’s tummy. Sacha held her hand. She must not have looked good. “Look outside,” Sacha said.
She did and the view was breathtaking. She smiled. She wasn’t afraid anymore, but she didn’t know which way to look at all. There were so many sights. Then they were out of the city and the hills and trees looked so green. “It’s beautiful,” she said.
She turned to Sacha who was smiling. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
“I’m a city girl, born and bred, Sacha. I hope I can hack it in the wilderness.”
“We’ll be in a house, not a tent. Running water and indoor plumbing.”
She laughed. “Okay, but I’ve never spent much time outside the city.”
“You’ll enjoy it. You won’t have to stay inside at all. You’ll be free to get fresh air.”
“Cliff probably would have loved it.”
“Yes, but if he’s with you, he’s in danger. Viktor had a nice house in the suburbs with a yard and woods. Cliff will be in heaven,” Sacha said.
Kendra was still second-guessing her decision to go along with Sacha’s plan. She should be taking care of Cliff. He was her responsibility.
“He’s in good hands, Kendra. I promise. I wouldn’t have put his life in danger. Not for anything.”
“You like Cliff don’t you?”
“He’s growing on me,” Sacha said. “There it is.” He pointed for her and she saw a house rising out of the forest. Not a castle, but could have been.
“Wow. How many acres do you own?”
“About a hundred and sixty-five. Not a big plot for up here.”
“A hundred and sixty-five?” She couldn’t wrap her head around that much land.
The helicopter landed on the front lawn, a flat expanse of green. All around the house were woods. More trees than Kendra had probably ever seen. And she’d spent some time in Central Park. Sacha climbed out then gave her his good arm to hold onto. She was so busy looking at the house that she almost tripped out of the chopper.
“Careful, Kendra.”
She laughed, but stopped to stare at the house. It had a porch than ran the length of the house. Five dormers stuck out of the second floor. “It’s amazing, Sacha.”
He grinned at her. “I haven’t been in here in months. I wish I was here under better circumstances.”
“Where else do you have houses?”
The pilot took their suitcases out of the helicopter. Kendra grabbed hers while Sacha took his.
“I have an apartment in Paris. One in Moscow and a house in the Hollywood Hills.”
“Do you get to see them often?”
“No. Maybe I’ll take you to all of them sometime.”
He was talking about the future. As if they really had one. She was temporarily in his life. She knew this, but she could dream about Paris and Moscow. It wasn’t a bad dream at all.
“Will the helicopter stay here?”
“Yes, he’ll put it on a trailer. There’s a hanger, but he’ll have to tow it there and the pilot will stay in the apartment there. He’ll be available if I need him. I usually give him my schedule ahead of time, but he knows that I might need him other times too.”
“So he’s always on call?”
“He gets paid well for always being on call, Kendra.”
Sacha’s looked at her with heavy-lidded eyes, as if she shouldn’t ask more. She wouldn’t. Not her problem. Sacha opened the front door. Inside the foyer was two stories tall. A living room sat to the right, as did the rest of the house. A staircase was right in front of her.
“Just leave the suitcases there. Let me show you around down here, and then I’ll show you to our bedroom.”
***
Sacha wanted to go to the bedroom first. It had been a few days since they’d been in the sack, and he was itching to get at least his good hand on a naked Kendra. The logistics would be interesting, but he’d bet they could work it out.
“This is the great room. The fireplace is propane. No need to chop wood.” He led her through the room to the kitchen.
“Oh, my goodness,” Kendra said
.
He loved this kitchen. “I can make some really great meals in this room.”
He watched her as she looked at everything in the house. He liked her reaction. He’d never brought a woman here. He’d never seen it through someone else’s eyes. The smile didn’t leave her face. Finally, they reached the bedroom. It was at the back of the house and had a large window looking out into the woods.
“What a view.”
“Yes it is.”
She spun back to him. He was looking at her.
“You need to freshen up?” he said.
She walked to him, then kissed him. “I’m good.” She stepped back to look at him. Her gaze fell onto the sling on his arm.
“We can work around this Kendra. I just need your help undressing.”
“I think I can do that.” Her fingers danced across his chest as she unbuttoned his shirt. She was taking her own sweet time.
“I don’t care if you rip it off.”
She stepped away from him. “I’m not going to hurt your arm. If you aren’t nice to me I’ll undress in front of you and leave you here to try to take your own pants off, with a hard on.”
She crossed her arms. Damn her. She’d been helping him with his clothing for the last two days. She knew he couldn’t do it himself.
“Fine, but I’d think you would be eager since it’s been a few days.”
She cocked her eyebrow. “I could go a few more days.”
“Stop. You’re killing me.”
She laughed, then pushed his shirt off of his shoulder with the care someone would give crystal. He didn’t care about the pain. His dick hurt from lack of use more than his shoulder hurt from the bullet that had grazed him. The shirt landed on the floor. She unbuttoned his pants then slid them and his boxers down his legs. He used his good arm to brace himself on the wall to remove his legs. Now he was naked and Kendra was kneeling in front of him.
Oh. God.
She put her hand on his erection.
“That might explode.”
Then she licked around the tip and Sacha slammed his hand on the wall. “Kendra.”
She laughed then stepped away to get undressed. His breath came out ragged as he fought not to lose it. “Go lay down on the bed,” she said.
Her voice was a little husky. He did as she said. She crawled on top of him, her breast right by his face.
Sacha, Her Russian Billionaire: A Billionaire BWWM Romance Page 10
