Caden
Kashton and I stood just below the stairs, silently contemplating what we would do now. But I couldn’t just stand here for much longer and do nothing. I had to do something, even if it was something as simple as cooking dinner.
Without another word, I entered the kitchen and began rifling through the cupboards and fridge. We needed comfort food. Something that would put a smile on Raven’s face when she woke up.
A light bulb flashed over my head as I thought of my favorite meal my mom always cooked when I had a rough day. Breakfast for dinner. Specifically waffles, eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns.
Just because I wanted to be even more “extra” and ensure that a grin appeared on our girl’s face, I’d make them chocolate chip waffles with a happy face.
As I prepared everything, my mind continued to whirl. I’d known of Chris’s past. It wasn’t a pretty story, but something he’d confided in me many years ago. It was why he was so guarded.
I couldn’t imagine living with a past as dark as his. My childhood hadn’t been all sunshine and roses either, but I had amom who loved me and worked her ass off to make sure me and my sister didn’t want for anything.
Wiping the sweat off my brow with the back of my arm, I forced my thoughts away from the past.
We were in the here and now. Dwelling back in memories did nothing but make my doubts and anxiety spin out of control. They were already on high alert today; I didn’t need anything more added to it.
“Can I help with anything?” Kashton asked as he handed me a glass of wine.
I took a long drink before answering. “If you want to fry up the hashbrowns, you can.” He topped off my wine and nodded. “Thanks.”
We worked next to each other in quiet harmony. Both of us were too hyped up to put our thoughts into full sentences.
Which was ironic as fuck for me, considering I’d written so many papers, journals and never lacked a clever comeback.
But there were moments like today where words just failed you.
We finished everything up and dished up four plates. I grabbed a tray and some glasses to fill with milk and orange juice.
“Grab the butter and syrup?” I asked Kashton as he turned off the stove burner.
“Yep.” He placed them on the tray next to the milk and juice.
“Should we wake her up if she’s still sleeping?” I pondered as we finished gathering the last of the items.
“She needs to eat so she doesn’t crash completely.” Kashton let out a deep sigh. “Even if she eats a few bites while we talk to Chris, it’s better than nothing.”
I nodded, trying to figure out exactly how we would talk to him. He had to open up.
Raven would probably be the only one who could get through to him now.
We grabbed the tray and plates and ascended the stairs. Usually, Kashton would let food in his bedroom over his dead body, but I think we all knew it was an atypical evening. Rules had to be adjusted.
The fact that Kashton’s master bedroom had a full sitting room with a couch, coffee table, and TV was just a bonus.
Setting the tray down on the coffee table, I turned and looked at Chris and Raven. He had her in his arms, and her head pillowed on his chest as he slowly ran his fingers through her hair. His eyes were closed, and his breathing even, but he wasn’t asleep. His jaw was clenched too tightly, and his free hand was curled into a tight fist.
Gods, this day had done a number on him.
“Chris?” I asked in a whisper.
His eyes snapped open, and he let out a sigh. “What if something had happened to her? If the scumbag soldiers had gone too far? Or my grandpa decided he wanted to send her back in pieces? He’s done that so many times to so many families, he wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep over it.”
“I don’t think he’d harm her.” I moved closer and stood beside the bed. “You’ve said it yourself; he may have been cold to you, but he was never cruel. He didn’t physically strike you or abuse you. Yes, he ordered you to do horrible things, but I don’t think he’d kill Raven to get to you. Not after all this time.”
Chris gazed up at the ceiling. “I don’t like you defending his actions, Col.”
I shook my head and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I’m not defending him, Chris. I’m just pointing out the facts. He wants to talk to you. At the very least, you need to speak with your babushka. She’s come all this way with Bryan, and you haven’t seen her in almost twenty years.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Raven stirred, her eyes opening as she wiggled against Chris’s side. “Think about what?”
“Talking to mybabushka.”
She blinked, awareness slowly penetrating through her sleepy gaze. “I think that’s a good first step. You miss her. I could tell that just in the short time I’ve known you.”
Chris’s brow furrowed, and he peered down at our girl. “First step? Kroshka, it will be the only step. I will not speak with the man who kidnapped my girlfriend just to tell me he wants to speak with me.” He growled, his words harsh. Cold. Unfeeling. This was not the Chris that we knew and loved.
This was the Chris who left Russia a broken man.
Raven drew her bottom lip into her mouth as she slowly untangled herself from Chris. Pain reflected in her gaze, and she kept her eyes dropped.
“Christ, Raven, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for that to come out so harshly.” Chris turned away from her and swung his feet off the bed. His head fell into his hands. He muttered something in Russian and rose to disappear into the bathroom.
“Fucking hell, Chris.” Kashton sank into the opposite side of the bed and drew Raven into his arms. “Please, baby girl. Don’t give up on him. Seeing Bryan has brought back a lot of very painful memories for him. He’s not thinking clearly right now.”
Her shoulders shook with silent sobs, and it felt as if my heart was crumbling to pieces. I climbed up on the bed and embraced her from behind. Kashton and I tried to give her the comfort that we could, but this was uncharted territory for us.
Before, we’d never gotten close enough to women to comfort them while they cried. We had superficial relationships. It fucking killed me, but we had never found the one that made us want more.
Now, we had found Raven, and Chris was going to fuck it up if he didn’t get his head out of his ass.