Chapter 157 Back Stabber
Dakota's P.O.V.
I wake up to someone stroking my head. When I open my eyes, Ari is smiling at me.
"What time is it?" I ask.
"It's dark out, but I don't know what time it is. I heard we have some more new people you brought home." I turn onto my side and place my hand on his cheek.
"Yegor was trafficking out of the bar. There were two women, a man, and a teenage girl locked up in the basement. Your dad is letting the two women work at one of his restaurants. I brought the man here; he's going to school to be an accountant, and I need an accountant. I also brought the teenage girl here because she begged me not to make her go back home. When we confronted the employees, one of them was another kidnapped victim whom Yegor had kidnapped a year ago. I brought her here, too. She's sitting with Luka. I have a feeling she's the most broken out of all of them. I can't let people like that go back to the streets. He kidnapped people who he considered disposable." I still feel sick thinking about Yegor.
"You have a big heart. I don't know how you find the strength to constantly put out all these fires you have to deal with everywhere. I wish I could be by your side rather than lying here feeling useless." I kiss him.
"You're not useless. You're the reason I'm still alive. You'll be able to get up soon. Courtney said your burns are healing. You'll be better before you know it." I kiss him again, and he smiles.
"Do you ever regret being with me? I don't want you to feel like you owe me." My poor, broken man. Sometimes, he lets that little boy out, who was abandoned by his mom.
"I have never once regretted being with you. I love you, Ari, and that's not going to change. You're mine, and you better never forget it." He laughs as I kiss him.
"I love you too. I can't wait to make love to you again. Our one night together wasn't enough. There's so much I want to do with you." I run my fingers through his hair the way he likes.
"Well, until that day comes, you focus on getting healed. I'm going to get something to eat. Do you want anything?" I get out of bed.
"Courtney helped me eat while you were sleeping. She's a hundred percent better than the hospital staff." I comb my hair and head for the door.
"She's incredible. I'll get some food and bring it up here to eat. I'll be right back." I blow him a kiss before walking out. On the way to the stairs, I stop by Luka's room. I knock softly and open it when I hear him say, "Come in." At first, I think he's alone, but then I see Rain in bed, sleeping in his arms. I raise my eyebrows at him, and he smiles. He looks a lot better than when I got home from the bar.
"I take it you two are getting along okay," I whisper.
"She's amazing. I got her to open up to me. Dakota, is it crazy that I think I'm falling in love with her? I've never felt the way I do with her. You know, I've never even been in a relationship, but I want her. I want to keep her safe and show her how it feels to be loved. Is that ridiculous?" I walk over quietly and look at how she's clinging to him in her sleep.
"No, that's not ridiculous. That's pretty much how it happened with Ari and me. I tried to fight it at first, but the heart knows what's best. Don't be afraid to love her, even if she acts like she doesn't want it at first. She needs to be loved. You look better." He smiles and nods while looking at Rain.
"I feel better than I have in a long time. I think I'm almost over the rough patch, but I know I have a long way to go. Tomorrow I would like to talk to you about something. It's an idea of something I would like to start." I kiss his forehead.
"Sure. I'll come and see you in the morning. I have some clothes being delivered for Rain. Should I have them brought in here rather than the room I had planned on giving her?" We both look at Rain when she shifts in her sleep and moves even closer to Luka. She probably has never felt this safe in a long time, if ever.
"Bring them here. I want to convince her to stay here every night. I had to guilt her into lying with me just so I could hug her because I was shaking too badly to sit up. How can someone continue to be so kind and caring after being put through hell?" Oh, yeah, he's in love with her. Rain better watch out because if Luka finds any of the people who hurt her, they're dead.
"She has probably been doing it her entire life and doesn't know how not to help someone. I'm going to get something to eat. Do you need anything?" He shakes his head.
"No. When she wakes up, I'll have her help me. I feel stronger." I leave his room and can't help smiling. I was right. They can help each other. When I reach the kitchen, Tyler and Shea are at the kitchen table with documents spread out.
"What's all this?" I ask as I open the refrigerator.
"We went to the bar, got all the documents we could find, and brought them back here. We found some of the trafficking contracts, but they're not good. Everything is in numbers, so we don't know who he sold or any of the buyers. We also found this." Tyler hands me a piece of paper.
"Is this what I think it is?" I ask as I look at the kilograms and prices next to them.
"Yes. Yegor was selling heroin. Not only that, but we found records that showed he had one of his dealers target Luka." My hand shakes with rage as I hand the paper back to him. He tried to get Luka on drugs, but why?
"Let me know what else you find. Luka's doing better, and Rain is in his room with him. When this is over, I'm going to start a match-making business." They look at each other and smile. I know a good match when I see one. I make myself a sandwich, get a bottle of water, and go back upstairs. On the way to my room, I decided to check in on our other two new guests. I raise my hand to knock on the first door, but stop when I hear them talking inside. I drop my water and sandwich when I hear what they say.
"She fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Now that I'm in the house, I'll butter her up until I get you what you need."