Page 75 of Volatile Waters

On her hands and knees, she scrambled past me and into the bathroom. “Following my best chance of survival. You didn’t lock the bedroom door.” She crawled to my tub and planted her naked butt on the floor as if refusing to move.

I didn’t lock the door so Kirill could retrieve his property without bothering me. “I don’t wish to bathe with my clothes on, and Kirill may not appreciate my naked dick anywhere near you.”

“I’d rather him being pissed versus dealing with that crazy old guy.”

Continuing into the bathroom, I shook my head. “You have clearly yet to face the dark side of Kirill.”

“Maybe so, but until then, shower.” With drying tears on her fairy face, she dismissively waved her hand in the air. “Bathe. I’ve seen you naked. Fuck Kirill. He’s an asshole anyway.”

I chuckled. “I hope Fire is as entertaining as you—” I jolted when I realized how distracting Wolf truly was. I hadn’t thought of Fire for days…

“Who is Fire?”

Removing clothes, I growled, “None of your concern.”

Wisely, Valerie stayed quiet. It allowed me to enjoy the hot water spraying on my back as I tried to rinse away the hunger my shower couldn’t reach. I couldn’t even reach it because I was yet to understand what I was craving. Flashes of Wolf’s eyes kept appearing behind my closed ones.

As I was rinsing the shampoo from my hair, Kirill stormed into the bathroom. Seeing me naked in the shower, he yelled at Valerie, “Why are you in here?”

She raced to her feet and charged forward. It looked like a hamster trying to be intimidating as she shoved at his broad chest. “Because he just saved my life, you fucker!”

Appearing a tad concerned with her claim, Kirill peered at me through the glass of my shower, looking for confirmation. I shrugged. “Meh. She may have survived the fall from the second-story balcony.”

“Fall?” she shrieked in a godawful high pitch that almost made my ears bleed. Kirill and I were still frozen in a wince as she shoved at Kirill’s chest again. “I didn’t fall. I was dropped!” She smacked his chest. “On fucking purpose! Your family is a bunch of deranged psychopaths!” Smack! “If they weren’t insane, I would march out of this bathroom and ignore you and teach you a lesson!” Smack! “But he may toss me out a window next time!” Smack! Smack! “The worst part?” She screamed, “I’d be happy to find a fucking window that opened in this godforsaken hell hole!” She blinked in dismay as Kirill and I burst into a fit of laughter. “Ass. Holes.”

Still laughing, Kirill pulled her to his chest. “Yes, we are, but you warm my cold heart.”

Valerie melted to him. “Kirill… I want to go home.”

His large hand sheltered her head to his breast. “It was selfish of me to bring you.”

My whole body went still in the shower. I had never heard him speak of someone else’s needs, especially placing them before his own. I guess you could say miracles do, in fact, happen.

Kirill tucked his head over the top of hers. “And, now, it is too late to remedy.”

It was impossible to not think of Fire, to realize I would soon be stealing her life. It was impossible not to see judgment in Wolf’s eyes. And, at the time, it was impossible to know why I gave a fuck. My miracle hadn’t happened yet.

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Due to Wolf’s unique training, I allowed him privileges without him earning them. He now had running water, a toothbrush, and an operating toilet. Entering his room, I was surprised to see him getting off the floor, his chest riddled with sweat. “What are you doing?”

He wiped his hands on his dirty blanket. “Push-ups.” He bounced on his feet, in a circle. “I’m fighting for my sanity in here. Need some movement.” Muscles bounced with every landing. “Dude, can I get a shower or something? Anything to get out of here for a few minutes.”

“Showers are to be earned.”

He stopped and faced me. His head tilted. “What the fuck does that mean?”

Still distracted by his sweaty body, I struggled for words. “It… means…”

Wolf looked down at himself, trying to see what I was seeing. Then he slowly peered back at me. “Are you checking me out?”

That snapped me from the trance he had me in. “No.”

“You don’t seem gay.”

“I’m not,” I growled.

“Ain’t judging. Relax. I just know when someone is giving me a look over. That’s all.”