CHAPTER TWELVE:
ALEXANDRA
The world came into existence slowly as Alexandra woke. She turned onto her side, and noticed the blanket was tucked in around her. Her eyes snapped open fully. The bedroom blurred and swayed for a moment.
Pain thumped against her temples, and then she remembered the vodka.
What time was it? She looked to the nightstand to see the clock’s digital display: 4:48 p.m. Next to the clock sat a large glass of water and a bottle of aspirin. Alexandra sat up slowly, popped two tablets, gulped down the water, and took a breath.
She must have hit the bottle a little too hard at breakfast. Was it Viktor who had tucked her in, or a staff member?
Hopefully Viktor, Alexandra thought. Even if she hadn’t been conscious for it, imagining herself in his strong arms helped ease the pain of rejection. And maybe, if it had been him, seeing her in that state would have made him realize how upset she’d been by his leaving her like that.
She rose from bed lethargically and disappeared into the bathroom. While she brushed her teeth, Alexandra replayed the scene from breakfast in her head. She remembered the emotion behind Viktor’s kiss. It had been real, she was sure. They had kissed before that, yes, but there was something about their embrace at breakfast that had felt like their first real kiss.
Until Viktor had flipped out and left. Alexandra stared at her reflection, feeling gloomy.
When she stepped back into the bedroom, a familiar shape was leaning against the open doorway.
“Glad to see you’re up,” Viktor said. His tone was even and unrevealing. Alexandra couldn’t tell whether it was nice-Viktor or cold-Viktor who faced her, though. She turned the bedside lamp on, then looked back over to him. She saw softness on his face, and almost sighed with relief.
Alexandra bit her lip as she went to speak, however, suddenly unsure what to say. She wanted to ask about breakfast, but she also didn’t want to risk losing him again.
Best to not say anything about earlier, perhaps, and just see where this went, she thought.
“Was that you?” She pointed to the bottle of painkillers and the empty glass on the nightstand. Viktor nodded.
“I found you asleep downstairs. Don’t worry, nothing embarrassing. Just figured you’d be more comfortable up here in bed than curled up on a rug in the dining room,” he said. Alexandra felt a twinge of embarrassment despite his reassurance.
“Thanks.” Her voice had come out soft, bordering on a whisper.
Viktor offered a close-lipped smile. “There’s a place I’d like to take you,” he said. “A nice restaurant my family has owned for a long time now. It’s special to me, and, since you’re part of the family now, hopefully it will be special to you, too.”
You’re part of the family now. The words lingered in Alexandra’s mind.
Was she really? How could he say that when he still suspected her and her father of murder? Yet, despite her hesitation, his words sounded genuine. Alexandra felt confusion tugging her in multiple directions.
“Viktor…” Alexandra’s voice trailed off as she struggled to choose her next words. “I really appreciate you taking care of me, and putting me to bed. And I really appreciate the reservations for dinner.”
“But?” Viktor asked, clearly sensing her hesitation.
“But you keep going hot and cold on me. Just when I think we might have finally started to really build our marriage, well…”
“I get scary again,” Viktor finished for her. Alexandra could only be relieved he’d said it himself, so that she didn’t have to, and nodded meekly.
“Our first breakfast together,” she said. “Right after, you tried to lock me in the bedroom.” Alexandra wasn’t sure if she had found courage, or if her emotions had just started spilling out. Either way, it felt good to finally get what she was feeling off her chest. She continued, “Then, this morning’s… almost-sex. It felt like it was going to be amazing, it felt like we had something… and then you just left me there.” Alexandra’s chest tightened with sadness. “Dinner sounds nice, but how can I enjoy myself if I’m constantly wondering when you’re going to flip on me and get mean again?”
Viktor didn’t seem hurt by her words—he didn’t even seem surprised. He just remained in the doorway, looking contemplative. Alexandra waited for him to fly off the handle, but instead, he closed the distance between them and wrapped her up in a tight hug.
She felt herself melt against him, all over again. He was large and strong, and she felt safe in the moment even though the conversation had grown tense.
“I’ve been involved in the mafia almost my entire life, Alexandra. I have been a husband for only a few days.” He’d spoken slowly against her, and Alexandra inhaled, memorizing the scent of his cologne. His words touched a deep part of her spirit, and she felt forgiveness flooding her, despite her misgivings.
“So,” she said, “where are we going for dinner?”
* * *
Alexandra wore a deep blue dress and heels, and Viktor wore a perfectly-tailored charcoal grey suit. When she’d been about to put on her makeup, Viktor had insisted she use as little as possible so that she didn’t ‘hide her natural beauty.’ She’d done as he’d asked.
The restaurant was small and clean, with atmospheric track lighting, pictures of Russian landmarks on the walls, and a pianist positioned toward the front who played gentle classical music. The crowd was sparse. Viktor led them toward a private table in the back. He pulled Alexandra’s chair out for her and, when she sat, he pushed it in before seating himself.
He’s really trying, Alexandra thought. She smiled at him for the first time since early that morning. The low mood lighting captured the masculine edges of his face and Alexandra tried not to stare as she admired how ruggedly handsome he was.
A thin waiter with large black eyes and a reedy voice took their orders. Alexandra selected Chicken Kiev, and Viktor ordered roast duck. While they waited for the food to arrive, Viktor continued to ask about her family. Alexandra answered as best she could, but when the questions kept coming and he didn’t seem to be sharing anything about himself, she couldn’t help starting to grow suspicious of him.
Was he just trying to pump her for information so he could accuse her father? Or was he genuinely trying to get to know her? Alexandra’s mind bounced back and forth even as they spoke.
When the food came, the conversation waned as eating took priority. Alexandra hadn’t realized how hungry she had been until she tasted the chicken. Halfway through the dish, she looked over to Viktor to find him watching her eat with a small, pleased smile.
Heat rose to her cheeks when she saw him looking at her like that. Maybe, just maybe, this was the real Viktor. Alexandra allowed her hope to reignite anew. Instead of allowing doubt to cloud her night, she returned his expression and wondered why she felt like a schoolgirl when their eyes met.
Perhaps his outbursts were just him grieving his father, and with time she would see more and more of the kind man across from her. After all, if he really was so heartless, why would he volunteer at Pathways?
“Viktor,” Alexandra said warmly, learning forward to catch his eye, “you’ve been listening to me ramble on about my family for a while now. Why not tell me a little about yourself?”
“What is it you want to know?” Viktor asked, one of his eyebrows raising as if he didn’t understand why she would ask.
“Hmmm. I don’t know. Let’s see…” Alexandra tapped her chin. “Do you have any funny stories to share? I mean, I even told you about the time when I was five and I used toothpaste as hair gel to give myself a mohawk. Anything like that?”
Viktor looked relieved, as though he had been expecting a difficult question, and she wondered what on earth he’d expected. He stared into his mostly-eaten plate of duck in thought. “You mean something funny I did as a kid?” he clarified.
Alexandra nodded. “Sure, anything like that,” she answered.
Viktor’s brow furrowed. “I cannot think of anything funny from my childhood.”
“Oh.” Alexandra tried to imagine being the eldest son in a family whose father was a well-respected mafia boss. “I’m sorry, then, I shouldn’t have brought it up, I guess. Childhood must have been tough for you?”
“Childhood was not tough. But I had to learn how to be tough early, and have only gotten tougher through the years,” Viktor said without emotion. But although his voice was even, Alexandra thought she saw just a flicker of sadness pass through his eyes, like clouds moving across the sun. She decided not to push any further.
They finished their meal in silence, and Alexandra caught him looking at her again more than once. The warmth had returned to his expression, and it made her heart flutter.
Once their plates had been cleared, the waiter brought out espresso and blintzes. Viktor poured them both a tiny porcelain cup of espresso and served Alexandra a blintz.
“Thank you,” Alexandra said, gesturing from her coffee to the restaurant. “For everything. It’s lovely here, and I’ve had a good time with you.”
“You are very welcome. I had a good time, too.”
Dessert passed quickly. Before she knew it, Viktor was helping Alexandra out of her chair and holding the door for her on the way out. Never before had someone been so attentive to her. Even though the morning had started off rough, the evening had been practically perfect.
Or, would have been perfect. When Alexandra stepped from the threshold of the restaurant to start down the sidewalk, her heel caught and she stumbled. Thankfully, she managed to catch herself in the doorway, but when she tried to stand up fully, her ankle gave out and caused her to fall.
A tiny, terrified shriek escaped her lips.
But Viktor caught her. One moment, she was almost face-first on the sidewalk, and in the next his arms had pulled her to his chest. She trembled with both disorientation and pain.
“Are you okay?” Viktor asked.
“I… I just twisted my ankle,” Alexandra said as she bit back shame. First she had gotten drunk, and now she was tripping over her own feet.
Viktor didn’t reply. Instead, he carried her a few steps toward the sidewalk and gestured to Roman, who had just pulled up in the town car.
“Roman! Go inside and get an ice pack!” Viktor barked.
“Right away.” Roman rushed past them and into the restaurant. A minute later, he returned with a baggie of ice wrapped in a small white dish towel. Viktor carried Alexandra to the street and helped her into the car, then sat next to her and held the ice pack on her ankle.
And in return, Alexandra couldn’t keep her eyes off Viktor on the ride home; she couldn’t deny her attraction any longer.