The Russian's Assertive Lover (The Tonov Triplets Series Book 2) by Ivy Iverson Read Free Book Online Page B

she murmured, taking off Nikolay’s coat and wrapping it around her. “You're safe now.”
    “But it's not okay,” Cindy said. “He was right. He gave me everything. Now I have nothing. Damn it, I should have never made him mad--”
    “Cindy,” Courtney said firmly. “He's nothing. He beat the crap out of you and you didn't feel safe. You couldn't stay there. We'll figure it out, okay? You're in good hands.”
    Nikolay slid into the driver's side and turned to face the women. “Are you okay, Cindy?” he asked, his face etched with concern as he took in her disheveled appearance. His face quickly shifted from worry to anger when he saw the bruises on her face and neck. “Do you want me to take you to the hospital?”
    “No,” she said quickly. “No, please. I'm fine.”
    “Okay,” he said, and he started the car and pulled out on the road.
    Courtney leaned against the cool car window, not letting go of Cindy for a second. Her sobs gradually stopped and it wasn't long before she was sleeping. Nikolay looked back at them through the mirror.
    “Thank you,” he said quietly to Courtney. “He was a handful. I don't think I would have been able to get her out without you.”
    “I hate to say I told you so, but...” she shrugged. “You're welcome. It was… nice of you to get her out like that. I have to admit, I didn't think you would even care.”
    “Believe it or not, I do care about my employees,” he replied sharply. “I don't want any of them to be in danger and I will help them if they ask for it.”
    “What do you know,” Courtney said. “The strip club owner has a soul after all.” Just then, they passed Suds and Courtney sat up straighter. “Where are we going?” she asked. “I thought we were going back to the club.”
    “No,” he said. “Cindy needs to rest. I'm taking her to my place.”
    “Your place?” Courtney asked incredulously.
    “She doesn't have any other place to go,” Nikolay said. “Where did you think I would take her?”
    Courtney shrugged. “That makes sense,” she said. “You're right.”
    They pulled up in front of a building displaying wedding dresses. Nikolay got out first and opened the door. He gently picked up Cindy, who was still sleeping, and carried her to the door. “This is where you live?” Courtney asked.
    “Yeah,” he said. “In the apartment upstairs.”
    Courtney opened the door for him and they went upstairs to a large clean apartment that was comfortably furnished in Italian leather couches and dark blue rugs. Nikolay set Cindy down on the couch and then went into the kitchen. “Would you like anything to drink?” he asked.
    “Shouldn't we be getting back to the club?”
    “I would rather not leave her alone,” Nik replied. “She's going to be confused enough as it is when she wakes up. Scarlett can handle the club for one night and the other servers can cover your shift.”
    “Oh,” Courtney said. “That makes sense. If you have tea, and it's not too much trouble, then I'll have some.”
    “Of course it's not,” he said. He filled a black tea kettle with water and put it on the stove. “I was going to have some myself.”
    “Really?” she blurted out before she could think better of it. “I didn't think you were a tea kind of guy.”
    He grinned slightly at her. “Did you think I drank vodka?” he asked.
    “Well, to tell you the truth, I kind of did,” Courtney replied. “I'm afraid I always fall back on stereotypes when I don't know a person well.”
    “I've seen the effects of alcohol too much to enjoy it,” Nikolay answered. “It's a good thing you didn't ask me for any because there hasn't been alcohol in here since Valov moved in with Rae.”
    “Believe me, I've seen the negative effects of alcohol too, which is why I don't drink either. Not anymore.”
    He raised an eyebrow in question but he didn't ask, which was all well and good because Courtney didn't want to share.
    “Nice place,” she said, looking