Viktoriya never knew how exhaustive the act of waiting could be. She was no longer worried, Eli would be fine – she was sure of it, but his gunman had disappeared along with any motives or leads. She sat wrapped in a sweater and curled on the couch with Dinah, watching Elijah pour through newspaper articles and Mischa’s journals, looking for a connection between Horowitz and each of the murders.
Only recently had Eli found renewed interest in the investigation, but Viktoriya had always liked to watch him work. Even since the beginning, when it was just the investigation, Viktoriya would catch herself watching him. He would read the transcribed notes with one hand, and take his own notes with the other. His lips would move, though he made no sounds. He was more boyish then, clean shaven and neatly groomed, dressed up in his three piece suits. So different from the Elijah that worked at the kitchen table. He’d cut his hair, but left it long enough that it still curled. He’d shaved just two days ago, but already his strong jawline was covered in a thick stubble. She liked him better like this. Despite the snow falling outside, Eli wore a tee shirt and jeans, his feet bare.
All of his wounds had healed well, leaving him with only scars to remind him of the injury. Eli had already returned to his workout routine with Vikenti in the mornings, and usually brought that energy back up to the room with him. Eli would often wake her up with a flurry of kisses, his hands eager to find her skin. His recovery granted him a better range of movement, and that increased flexibility put a lot of ideas in his head. And Eli and Viktoriya would put as many of those ideas to the test as they had the time and energy for. They were happy together, both physically and emotionally – despite Valentina’s constant attempts at disrupting it.
Like Gregori before her, Valentina invited herself into many of their dates. When Eli suggested visiting Italy for a weekend, to celebrate his recovery, Valentina was the first to agree, even before Viktoriya. Eli tried to make Viktoriya’s first time in Italy romantic, just about the two of them, but the memory was tainted by a very squeaky third wheel. Viktoriya couldn’t even enjoy their time alone, fearing that at any moment Valentina would invite herself into their hotel room.
There were nights at home, after Eli had finished his work, Viktoriya would be cooking dinner – they’d started to eat in their hotel room more often, and Eli would come in and start slicing vegetables or peeling potatoes. He’d pause, and she’d pause. Their eyes would meet, and he’d give her a little kiss. But then Valentina would come in. She would always have a question only Eli could answer, or a story only Eli could hear, take his arm and his attention. She was suddenly so interested in reminiscing over their time at school, or telling him something that reminded her of him back in New York, or something that he would love.
Other times, Eli and Viktoriya would be watching television, a movie, reading or talking. It didn’t really matter. They would be together, enjoying their company, bonding, when Valentina would come in from her bedroom and sit beside Eli. She would nearly sit on his lap. Her blouses would be light, sheer, low cut. Her skirts were short. Valentina would lean against him. Her attentions were blatant and tasteless.
Viktoriya was beginning to worry over in Eli in a new way. He would tell her countless times a day that he loved her, but he and Valentina had a history. It had been a month since he was attacked. A month since she had found that ring hidden in Eli’s coat pocket. She hadn’t seen it since. Had Eli changed his mind after what was admittedly a life changing event? Had Eli changed his mind about Viktoriya? Maybe he just lost it. It wasn’t in his coat anymore. The whole idea made her tired and put her stomach in a knot.
“Ilya?” Viktoriya asked, looking up at him. She watched him look up from his computer, a little disoriented from the distraction.
“I’ll be finished soon, Vika. Five more minutes? No. I’ll clean up now.” He started gathering his papers.
YOU ARE READING
Looking For The Light (Book 2)
ParanormalElijah's life has been thrown for a loop. His girlfriend left him, he's leaving his home behind, and setting off into the unknown. Doubting his mission and himself, the young telepath struggles with many of the great questions of life.
