Leonora Bernardi locked in the dark. Hurt for most of her life, scared of her own shadow. Not knowing what the outside world is like, she's the epitome of innocence. One look at her and it's like her aura could light up the room.
Nikolai Volkov fut...
"It can't be." My father whispers out, taking a few steps closer to get a better look at Leonora, who is partially hidden behind my body, clutching the back of my jacket tightly. When I hear her whimper, my hand tightens around hers. Her other hand reaches out to trace the tattoos on my hand and wrist, which are mainly concealed beneath my suit shirt and jacket.
I would be lying if I said I didn't like her attention on me. Her skin against mine feels like it's igniting a fire within my soul.
My father comes to a halt when he notices the terrified expression on her face. I'll go to any length to remove that expression off her face. Only smiles shall grace that beautiful innocent face of hers.
"Nikolai son. Why don't you return her to her room? I'll contact Dr. Verenich to come check on her. I'm sure Leonora would like to freshen up and not be surrounded by four enormous overgrown males. I'll send some food up for her." My father continues, chuckling a little bit to lighten the tension, then glancing at me before returning his eyes to Leonora. I can see the emotions he is attempting to conceal, and I don't blame him. I'm sure we'll have a lengthy meeting about this later.
Nodding I frown as I lay my hand on Leonora's back, feeling her spine and ribs through the thin shirt. After all of this, I'm going to pamper her with as much food as she desires. I'll even learn to bake and cook for her, if that's what it takes. As we exit the room, everyone's gaze follows us.
Once we depart the room, I hear quiet conversations as I guide Leonora up the stairs, her knees slightly trembling. I notice a pained expression on her face, her right leg severely swollen. How the hell is she walking on that?! I'm so stupid, how did I not notice she was in pain earlier.
I quickly lift her up into my arms as I hear her squeal. She wraps her arms around my neck to keep from falling. I grin, enjoying the sensation of her body against mine, her head softly resting on my shoulder. I was astonished she was still standing when I located her downstairs. Her body must be in a lot of discomfort. Taking the last few steps up the stairs I start making my way towards her room, getting lost in my thoughts.
I recall coming down to her room after the meeting, getting closer as I became more nervous. I must have waited outside that door for at least four or five minutes, as I kept staring at my watch and urged myself to go in. As soon as I knocked though I heard nothing making me worried. I mean she could have just been sleeping. I chose to pause for a few minutes before entering the door, my gaze drawn to an unoccupied bed in the corner of the room. I think my heart stopped beating at that moment, and I searched the entire room but found nothing.
I checked the walk in wardrobe nothing. The bathroom nothing. Even under the bed and still. Nothing.
I dashed out of the room, my heart pounding in my chest and a bead of perspiration forming on my brow. I went through every room and found nothing. I dashed downstairs, expecting to find one of my brothers and ask if anybody had seen her, but what I saw broke my heart. My brothers and father were yelling at each other as Leonora sobbed in the corner hiding behind a chair, her eyes red with tears which are streaming down her face as she tried to hide from everyone. I swear I'm going to murder Ivan and Micah later.
