Chapter 6 - Leon

Stepping out of the room, I headed to the large double basin. Opening the tap, I felt a knot in my stomach. I held my hands under the tap and watched as the blood turned the water a dark red and then eventually ran a light pink.

Hearing her faint calls for help was one thing, but once I opened that door and saw him sitting on her back, pulling her head up, I was blinded. There were no words to describe the feelings that surged through me.

Adding detergent to my hands, I scrubbed them with the nail brush. Mila had closed the cell door and stood in the doorway leading out of the hideout. I knew she was upset at me, but I felt no remorse for what I had just done. That asshole had no right to lay a hand on Cindy.

Rinsing the last soap and blood from my hands, I noticed Mila coming closer. As I turned to her, grabbing the handtowel from its perch on the wall, I saw her hands moving to her hips. She was furious but trying her best to stay calm. Her face and voice, on the other hand, spoke volumes as she spat at me. Her eyes were drawn together, causing the lines on her forehead to wrinkle between her brows.

"What were you thinking? You knew we had to get the information from him to send the Morozovs." Mila spun around and paced back to the door. Turning to me again, she pointed a sharp finger, and her eyes narrowed even more as she scolded me. "You were only supposed to interrogate him, not kill him, before we had the info. What's gotten into you?"

Shrugging, I walked back to the cell. Opening the door, I saw Cindy sitting in the corner. She was trembling, and her breathing had become uneven. I was only protecting her and hadn't meant to cause her any pain or fear. But I could see she was shaken at what had just happened.

Closing the cell door, I turned to the other door leading to my makeshift home. I heard Mila carrying on as I walked to my room. "Leon, what are we to do now?"

After collecting a coat from my closet, I returned to the cell. Mila stepped in before me. "Leon, I am talking to you."

"Mila," I said softly, pushing her aside and entering the cell. "Not now."

"Come on then," I said tenderly to Cindy, holding out my hand. Cindy took my hand and stood without a word. I placed the coat over her shoulders and held her as we moved out of the cell. She smelled sweet, like wildflowers in spring. Pulling her tighter into my arm, I felt my heart picking up speed. This was a new, unsettling feeling, but I didn't let go.

Passing Mila, I glanced at her as I spoke. "Cleanup?" She nodded as I escorted Cindy out to my truck. Mila knew better than to continue at this point. We would find another way.

Cindy didn't protest or fight me this time. She got in the passenger side and allowed me to buckle her in. Leaning over her, I wanted to hold her and assure her that all would work out. She looked so very sad and scared at the same time.

She closed her eyes as she bit down on her bottom lip. Her posture was hunched as she lowered her head to her left shoulder. My heart ached for her. Suddenly, I was overcome with a strong sense of protecting her. But I knew now wasn't the right time to dwell on this. Closing the door and getting in on the driver's side, I wished I could take it all back.

Cindy didn't move; she sat like a statue all the way to the mansion I shared with my colleagues from the underground organization. Pulling in through the large gates, I parked in the garage and waited for the doors to close before getting out.

Opening her door, I lightly touched her shoulder as I spoke. "Cindy, we're here; come on." She glanced at me as I leaned across to unbuckle her seatbelt but didn't say anything. Her trembling had ceased, but her hands were cold and sweaty as she took mine and got out. She scanned the garage but showed no reaction.

Placing an arm around her shoulders, I carefully pulled her with me. Her scent once again infiltrated my mind. She didn't pull back as I walked towards the door leading inside.

Entering through the kitchen, we headed to the dining hall. Here, Piotr and Konstantin were having breakfast. Both looked up as I walked in, holding her, the shock clearly visible on their faces. Their eyes widened, and their jaws dropped.

I was sure I even heard one of them gasping as silence filled the room. Piotr rose to his feet but stood frozen as if unsure of what to do. "Leon," Konstantine spoke in a high-pitched voice.

Yes, I knew what they were thinking. In all the years, I have never brought a woman home, or anyone for that matter. This was a first, and they were stunned.

Clearing my throat, I spoke in an even tone. "Piotr, Konstantine, meet Cindy. Cindy, meet the guys." Both men nodded at her. I hoped she didn't feel the tension building in the room. I felt her pulling on the edge of my jacket. Glancing at her, I noticed Cindy had lowered her gaze to her feet.

"What are you doing, Leon?" Piotr breathed out after catching his breath.

Konstantine also stood up and came around the table toward me. He tapped me on the shoulder as he spoke. "Can we have a word?"

Glancing from one to the other, I couldn't help but grin at their amazement at the situation. Just then, the side door opened, and Mila came strolling in.

As she joined us, I spoke up. "There is nothing to discuss, guys, I'm keeping her." This brought even more shock to their faces.

I felt Cindy pulling away slightly as she turned and stared up at me. The expression on her face was utter disbelief. Her eyes were wide, causing soft wrinkles on her forehead, and her mouth dropped open.

Turning before anyone could say another word, I led Cindy up the stairs to the spare room. Stepping in, I turned her to face me as I spoke.

"Wait here for a bit, if you don't mind. I'll be back shortly," I added as I closed the door and locked it. Leaving her there, I headed back down to face the music.

My three companions were waiting for me. Piotr and Konstantine were seated at the long dining room table. Mila was standing in the kitchen doorway. "I've put some coffee on; give me a minute before you start, okay?" she said, glancing at us.

We nodded, and I sat down across from them. This wasn't going to be an easy conversation as I wasn't sure what was happening. I knew I had to protect her; keeping her here was the only option.

We waited in silence until Mila returned with four cups of coffee. She sat down with the other two opposite me. The way they were looking at me caused my anger to stir. It felt more like an interrogation than a conversation, even though it started out simple enough.

"What are your intentions here?" Piotr asked as he blew the steam from his cup before sipping at the dark, hot liquid.

He had barely spoken his last word before Mila started. "You know she can't stay, right?"

As I opened my mouth to answer, Konstantine interrupted me by adding his two cents worth. "You had a simple task. Yet, you failed, and your actions have consequences, you know."

Clutching the cup in my hands, I felt the heat it gave off stinging. I didn't dare let go as a whirlwind of furry started rising. Never before had I stepped out or failed them in any way. All the men and women prancing in and out of our home over the years. I have never complained or prevented them from having what they desired.

Now they sat here before me, judging. The looks on their faces. They were staring at me as if I had lost my mind. Lowering my head, I took a deep breath. Rising from the table, I pushed my cup forward and let it go.

"This is my choice," I breathed out, meeting their stern looks. "I will get the information we need, but she will stay."

Turning to leave, I heard one of them rise. Piotr came to my side, taking me by my arm as he spoke. "Wait, we need to talk about this."

Pulling free, I spun around to face him. As I replied, I heard my voice rising to the point of screaming. "There is nothing to discuss."

Mila and Konstantine also stood and came around the table as I stepped back towards the stairs.

"Leon, calm down, man," Mila said, meeting my tone of voice. "We are only trying to understand what is happening."

It felt like they didn't want me to be happy. Not that I knew if having her here would do that. All I knew was that something was between us, and I wanted to explore it.

"I said I will handle it, and I will. Don't you trust me?" I spat at them, walking to the stairs. I was boiling with rage and needed to get away. As I moved up the stairs, I heard Piotr and Mila continuing. Ignoring them, I headed to Cindy.