London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 55. Anton

Pretty face, clean British language. Must be one of that damned Pierce's buddies, but what's he doing in Alex's house? Hearing my name, the guy squints and reluctantly responds with a handshake.

- Liam, - he says, then adds, - Daniel's friend.

It's clear, this guy hangs around Sanya like a watchdog while his master's away.

- Anton? - Sasha says from the back of the room. I kick off my shoes and hurriedly walk over to her.

Vorobyova looks scary: her eyes are red, dark circles underneath them. The look of a frightened animal.

- What has he done to you? - I ask deliberately in Russian, so that her guest can't understand a word. Let him get mad. I take her face in my hands. - Did he hurt you somehow? Did he molest you?

Sasha shakes her head negatively, moving my hands away from her face.

- Liam had nothing to do with it at all. On the contrary, he's protecting me because I'm terrified. - She looks at the Brit, who's all tense, keeping his eyes on us. - I'm telling him about the car, - she explains to Liam in English and turns back to me.

I don't want Liam to understand a word, so I keep talking in Russian.

- What happened? - I ask, settling down next to her.

- Someone is following me. I think it's one of Daniel's groupies. She crashed his car and sent me a picture from this very room. - Sanya shows me the picture. - I'm scared, Anton. I don't know what to do.

I put one arm around her and turn to the Brit.

- Did you call the cops?

Liam rolls his eyes and answers with a challenge in his voice:

- What do you think, Captain Obvious. Did we just lock ourselves in the flat together to be afraid of a scary aunt together? – he's being impertinent.

- Chill out, I was just asking. Sasha is important to me, and if anything happens to her...

- Then Daniel won't forgive me, - he finishes, interrupting me. That's not how that sentence is supposed to sound. Even here, Pierce is getting in my way.

- It's not safe here. Sasha, maybe it's better for you to spend the night at my place? It's safer there. You can't stay here! - I'm suggesting the most reasonable option.

- She's not going anywhere with you! - Liam protests. - I'll keep an eye on her, don't worry.

I'm starting to get turned on. Who the hell is this guy? I'll put him down if I have to, and get Sasha to safety. How many problems piled on her with the appearance of this Daniel. I'm angry.

I'm about to get into an argument with Liam when there's a knock on the door. We both reflexively rise from our seats and rush to the door. Liam turns up first. He opens the door. On the doorstep is a box, wrapped as a present.

- Alex's name is on the box. But considering the events, I'm not sure that she'll like the present, - he sums up.

- Let's open it ourselves. You never know, - I suggest in a whisper.

- Is someone here? - Alex asks from the back of the room.

- No, a neighbour came in. Don't worry, - I say. Liam looks at me questioningly, but then seems to agree and pulls at the edges of the tape on the box.

We pull the tape off and tear the wrapper. The pretty looking box beckons with its mystery. I pick up the lid and quickly remove it. And then... We both bounce abruptly away from the box: the body of a dead bird lies in it.

Liam reacts a little faster. He throws the lid back on. Grabs all the wrappers and ribbons and silently rushes out of the house with the box. And here I'm in complete agreement with him: Sasha doesn't need to know about this incident.

When Liam returns, I speak first:

- You know she'll be safer at my place. This is taking a serious turn. We need to put aside your friend's jealousy and take care of the woman he and I both care about.

If it was possible to shout in a whisper, then this was the very option. Liam hesitates, but still agrees.

- Alex, we've been talking to your friend, and you really should go with him now. At least for tonight, - gives Liam the second sensible thing of the evening.

Alex looks first at him, then at me. When she realizes we're not kidding, she throws on her sweater and coat and walks toward the exit. I take my girl to my place. And where, I ask, is Pierce when he is so needed? That's right! Far away. And in his absence, Alex has to take care of his problems. Jerk! But that's okay, even this situation is good for me. Alex will remember who's there for her in times of need, who she can rely on.

1-0, asshole.