Chapter 52

It was on Richie’s tongue to tell Jon to go fuck himself and tell Ksenia what a whore he thought she was, but something held him back. A stupid thing called love…and hope. BAH! What and idiot he was! And what’s with the he explained everything? He didn’t explain shit!

Walking towards the bedroom he grabbed the gown lying on the bedroom floor, walking past the couch he threw it unceremoniously on her lap.

With a quick thank you, she dove into the welcoming cover, tightening the gown so tightly she thought she might die of suffocation.

“I think I’m gonna go.” Jon unfolded from the couch, groaning as he stretched his cramped muscles.

“Jon!” her almost hysterical cry, had the men’s full attention. “Will you…stay and ..and …will you stay while I talk to Richie?”

Irritation clouded Richie’s face and the rhythmic tap of his fingers on the arms of the couch, caused Ksenia to lick her lips nervously.

“You sure sweetie?” her nod had his ass hit the couch again.

“Before we start, let me quickly order us something to eat and drink.” She reached for the phone. Buying some time might just settle her nerves…gmmfff yeah right!

Richie just hear the girl out for Christsake and stop tapping your damn fingers, she is nervous as hell.

I’m here aren’t I? His eyes retained their aloofness but at least he stopped the drumming of his fingers.

“Richie I’m sorry about  what happened last night.” Her voice faltered and her eyes dropped to her hands again.

“So I take it Jon knows.” Irritation was building in his voice.

“When I explain everything you will understand why he knows. Its nothing sinister, nothing going on between me and Jon, that I promise you.”

A silence fell over the room, Richie wanted to jump up and shake her by the shoulders dragging whatever it was she wanted to say out of her.

Rich, brother…give her time. It’s heavy trust me. 

Jon’s blue eyes saw right through him. Her voice turned all attention back to her.

“Something happened when I was locked up after you left…”

Icy fingers streaked down his spine. He wasn’t so sure he wanted to know anymore.

“Actually it all started years ago but I want to talk about what happened in those weeks….you see…” she licked her lips nervously, looking at Jon as if searching for support.

Richie leaned forward, he was so scared he wouldn’t hear a word she say, his heart was pounding so hard in his ears.

The doorbell rang and Ksenia jumped.

“I think it’s  breakfast. Hold on.” She was halfway off the couch.

“Let me get it.” Jon walked towards the door.

Setting the table, they all sat down in silence. No one felt hungry knowing that there was an issue hanging thick in the air, except Jon who dug into his breakfast with gusto.

“At least someone has an appetite.” Richie smirked sarcastically.

“I don’t have to talk, you two talk, I listen.” He took another bite of crispy bacon.

Slicing through the bacon, Richie forced himself to take a bite, bringing the fork towards his mouth, he noticed the slight tremor there.

Ksenia was still staring at her hands, this time entwined around a warm cup of coffee.

Taking another mouthful of bacon, she whispered…

“I’ve been raped…”

Richie’s hand lost all feeling and the fork clattered onto the plate. His eyes shot towards her deathly pale face.

“…it happened almost daily…or nightly if you will….that was the professor’s way of punishing me for letting you escape…” wide eyes scanned the faces before her, a lonely tear rolled down her cheek.

“The fucking sick bastard, he could have been your grandfather! If I get my hands on him…”

“It wasn’t the old man Rich…” Jon’s low voice filtered through the air.

Richie’s mind refused to understand, flashes of murder crossed his mind. His head whipped up, focusing on Jon.

“He fed her to the vampires.”

As the words rolled off his tongue, Ksenia’s cry of despair cracked in the room. She suddenly came to life and banged her chair back, racing towards the room.

“Ksenia….wait!” Richie’s long strides caught up with her before she reached her destination. Huge hands captured her shoulders, pulling her back into a wall of maleness.

“Oh sweet Jesus honey! Why didn’t you tell me? I would have understood…Jesus!” Tears distorted his strong voice into a shaky whisper.

Despair stole the strength in the couple’s legs and they withered to the ground, knees slamming the carpet violently.

“Ssshhhh honey, I’m here…I’m here for you. Never ever doubt it..” Soft kisses rained down on her blonde head. Sitting on his haunches, he carried her weight on his thighs, swinging back and forth, cradling her.

Richie felt her struggle and felt his heart drop but she only needed the time to turn around and snuggle into the angle of his body, clamping her arms around him tightly.

Jon sat silently, watching as hurt poured down their faces, listening to the beats of their heart becoming one aching thud.

Thank you for being there for her my brother, I should have never doubted you.

Jon saluted his friend as he pushed his chair back, his work here was done. Richie was more than capable to take the hurt and turn it into happiness again.

He had unfinished business to take care of himself. Better get to it before it’s too late…