Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Bog looked over at the TV, and his scowl deepened. After a long pause, he turned back to me and shook his head. “This is why you screamed?”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that.”
“I thought you were being wounded.”
“It was just a jump scare.”
“Such nonsense.” He crossed his massive arms with a huff. “Not good to fill your head with such things.”
“You nearly tackled the coffee table, and I’m the one with the problem?”
Bog’s attention was drawn to the television screen when everything went dark, and all you could hear was heavy breathing. He stood there with furrowed brows, and I couldn’t help but give him a hard time. “You going to stand guard against the boogeyman now?”
He didn’t answer. He didn’t even flinch. He just stood there, looming over me as the movie dragged us both deeper into its creepy little world. We were both so captivated by what was going on in the movie that we hadn’t noticed that the front door had opened, and Sergei had walked in. Suddenly I heard, “What the hell is this?”
It felt like the air was suddenly sucked out of the room.
Usually, when Sergei walked in, I’d feel a strange, guilty rush of relief. I was just so happy to have someone to talk to But when I saw the angry expression on his face just now, I was anything but relieved.
Knowing he was mad that Bog wasn’t stationed at the door, I went to his defense.
“It wasn’t Bog’s fault. I was just…”
Bog raised a hand, silencing me with a single motion. His face was stone, and his voice was steady as he said, “No excuses. I was not where I should have been.”
My stomach sank.
Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room. The door clicked shut behind him, and the silence that followed was suffocating. I turned to Sergei and said, “It wasn’t his fault. He’s been at that door for hours on end and barely moves. He was only here because I screamed at this stupid movie.”
“It doesn’t matter what you think or what I think. Bog knows where he was supposed to be, and he will punish himself for not being there. And it will be far worse than anything I could do or say.”
“Well, now I feel even worse.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“It certainly feels that way.”
“Don’t worry about it. There will be something else for him to fret over tomorrow.” Sergei sat down on the sofa and let out a breath. “So, how was your day?”
“Pretty quiet.” I gave him a slight shrug. “I read a little, picked up a little, and made a little lunch. I got bored and made the brilliant decision to watch a horror movie.”
“Sounds eventful.”
“I wish. What about you? How was your day?”
“Busy.”
That was all I got. I had no idea if he was busy with work or dealing with Alek, so I asked, “Any news about Alek?”
“No.” Before I could press, he straightened his back and asked, “What are your thoughts for dinner?”
“I don’t really have any.” I motioned my head toward the kitchen. “I would’ve cooked, but I used the last of the groceries to make lunch.”
“I see.” He thought for a moment, then lifted his brow. “Would you be up for taking a ride? We could grab something on the way back.”
“Sure,” I answered, sounding more excited than I’d intended.
I popped up from the couch so fast I surprised myself, and Sergei, too. His mouth tugged into the faintest smirk as he glanced over at the television. “You sure? I don’t want to disrupt your movie.”
“Oh, please,” I groaned. “It’s awful. I was only watching it out of sheer desperation.”
“Desperation?” Sergei stood with a chuckle. “I didn’t realize things were so bad around here.”
“Oh, they’re not!” I stammered. “They’re great! Your place is wonderful, and…”
His smirk deepened as he teased, “I’m just messing with you, Lina. I know it’s been an adjustment, but this won’t last forever.”
He’d called me Lina. It was a name I hadn’t heard in years. Only two people had ever used it. My mother and Sergei. I can still remember the last time he called me by the nickname. I’d just turned fourteen, and we were attending a family gathering. I’d decided to dress up and wear heels for the very first time.
I wanted to look grown-up and elegant, but just as I entered the main room, I tripped over my own two feet and stumbled to the floor. I was mortified. My face burned with embarrassment. I just knew everyone was going to laugh at me, but Sergei appeared out of nowhere.
He slipped his hand under my arm and pulled me to my feet. Once I was standing, he lowered his mouth to my ear and whispered, “Easy there, Lina. You wouldn’t want anyone here thinking that you actually care what they think.”