Nikolai Stays With Merri

Alexi dialed Klaude's number as he stretched his long legs and ran up the stairs two at a time. Klaude didn't answer and his face revealed a hint of desperation. Fuck! Am I too late to save the stupid little fool?

 In a panic he called Nikolai to find out what time he dropped Merri at Klaude's penthouse. Nikolai was watching as the nurse check the IV needle in Merri's arm, engrossed in observing the nurse and the doctor examine Merri he forgot about calling Alexi.

When he saw the caller was Alexi he gulped down his saliva. He calmed his mind then answered, " I was just about to call you."

Viktor stepped out into the hallway. "Ah..I didn't take the little chick there. I am at the hospital with her. There was a problem. After Marta bathed Miss Winslow, we couldn't wake her up even with smelling salts. Miss Winslow was burning up with a fever so I had no choice but to take her to the hospital."

 le fool?

 Alexi didn't want Nikolai to know he changed his mind about giving Merri to Klaude. Now it wasn't necessary to say anything. "From the drug?"

 "I don't know. I told the doctor I found her unconscious on the sidewalk. They gave her a drip to bring down the fever and are running blood tests."

 "Hmm."

 Nikolai couldn't discern if Alexi was angry or not then Alexi said, "Well... you couldn't drop a half dead woman. I will compensate Klaude."

 Nikolai's mood lightened and was relieved that Alexi didn't blame him for taking Merri to the hospital. He didn't want years of trust to be destroyed by him not following Alexi's wishes. But,everytime he thought about Klaude's strange fetishes that he didn't bother hiding he was sickened. "Should I come back to the Bar?"

 Alexi tried to sound unconcerned, "Since you are there, wait and find out if her condition is from the drug. If it is, I don't want it in the Bar. I don't need anyone using Halcion and dropping dead."

 Nikolai thought that made sense. "Okay."

 Alexi was uncharacteristically agitated earlier and now his mind was at ease. He convinced himself, although I don't want to fuck with the little mouse anymore... It's not that I like her... I just don't like the idea of that pervert Klaude enjoying her sweet taste. Anything or anyone used by me can't be used by others.

 He turned the car around and drove to his villa. Lighting a cigarette, a strange sense of relief filled him as he inhaled. 

 At the hospital Nikolai walked back into the hospital room and the doctor approached him. 

"You said you found the young woman laying on the sidewalk? So, you don't know her identity?"

 "No. But, I will take care of the hospital bills." 

 "..." 

 "It isn't a problem for me and since I found her it is what I should do. What is your diagnosis."

 "We aren't supposed to discuss a patient with anyone other than the immediate family but since you're willing to help the woman...I will make an exception."

His face showed a trace of disgust, "From my initial examination, it appears the young woman suffered from sexual abuse which weakened her frail body. Then being subjected to the freezing cold she developed a high fever. Additionally, she is severely dehydrated.

We are running blood tests now to determine if any other factors were involved. Her eyes are dilated and bloodshot which could indicate drug use."

 Nikolai tried to remain expressionless as he listened, The little girl really might have died if she was delivered to Klaude.

 The doctor closed the chart. "Presently, the patient is in a coma and there is no way to determine when she will regain consciousness. She is extremely thin and could have fainted from malnutrition.

He continues and holds out a form. If you will sign in as her guardian, with your permission I think she should have a CAT scan. It would show if she had internal bleeding or suffered any damage to her brain.

 "Run whatever tests you need. I gave my card to the woman at the desk in the Emergency Room."

 After the doctor and the nurse left Nikolai sat at Merri's bedside and stared with a complicated expression at her small hand that was outside the blanket.

He hesitated then gently lifted her soft white hand and placed it under the covers. Little girl are too delicate and fragile... When you wake up you should stay as far away from Alexi Baranov as you can. 

 A few hours passed and Merri didn't wake up. Nikolai sat on the couch playing a video game on his phone.

The young nurse was surprised he was still in the room when she came to change the drip. She kept sneaking peeks at him while she was changing the bag and fixing the covers over Merri. 

 The nurse couldn't help but gaze at the gentle looking man. Her friend told her what happened and how this man generously offered to pay for the VIP room and all the hospital bills.

She had an infatuated look on her pretty face, thinking he not only paid, he is considerately waiting for the girl to wake up. So sweet.

When she walked past Nikolai she inhaled a woodsy fragrance mixed with a masculine scent that made her heart flutter. 

 Nikolai is very sensitive to his surroundings and felt her eyes burning a hole in him. He looked up from the video game and she quivered from a rush of heat when their eyes met.

The blushing nurse shyly forced herself to speak, "She...the patient... might not wake up soon." She pointed to a door on the left. "The VIP rooms.. Ah...well...there is a bedroom for the patient's family if you want to rest."

 "I am fine here." He continued to play the game. His stomach was growling but he had learned over the years to ignore hunger. As a professional killer many times he had to silently wait for his target without food or water. 

 The nurse timidly clutched the side of her pink sweater thinking she should bring him something to eat. 

 Unaware of her thoughts he wondered when she would leave. He was annoyed because had an overwhelming urge to walk over to the bed and touch Merri's hand. Nikolai felt a longing he couldn't understand.

 The irksome nurse finally left and he moved over to sit in the chair by the bed. His dark eyes contained unfamiliar emotions as he gazed at Merri's delicate face.

He hesitated then lifted her delicate snow white hand from under the blanket. He tenderly stroked the back of her hand as though he was bewitched, he turned her seemingly boneless hand over and ran his finger down her soft palm. 

 He had a serious expression because Merri's lifeline had a small arc and was near the thumb. The start of the line was broken showing she lacked a strong core. Then he smiled when he noticed her heart line was long, symbolizing a sweet and romantic nature. 

 His aunt was a fortune teller and palm reader famous in the small town where his family lived. When he was young, his mother would leave him and his sister at her house when she went to work.

Nikolai never believed in his weird aunt's ability until she predicted the woman next door to them would die by falling down the stairs to the cellar. 

 The next week her prediction came true, the old woman was found dead at the bottom of the stairs in a twisted ball by her husband. He was always a little afraid of this aunt after that incident. But, when he was bored one day she patiently taught him how to read palms.

 Caressing Merri's small hand for the first time he seriously considered confronting Alexi. He is my friend but when it comes to women or anyone outside of his inner circle, he is an evil and cold bastard. He will crush this little girl. He doesn't know how or even want to cherish a woman.

 He noticed Merri knitting her eyebrows together and her delicate face contorted in pain. Nikolai's heart tightened. He impulsively gently massaged between her eyes, then pressed the button next to the bed to call the nurse.

He let go of her hand and she grabbed onto it again. Her eyes were still closed but she murmured in a soft voice, "Don't leave."

 Nikolai had a puszzled expression, he didn't know what to do, it would be awkward if the nurse saw him holding her hand.

 He reluctantly pried her hand off his and his voice was low and reassuring. "I won't leave."

 Pacing by the bed his eyes remained glued on her abnormal expression. He worriedly pressed the button again.

 The nurse came into the room carrying a tray of food she bought in the cafeteria for Nikolai.

She quickly set it down and hurried over to the bed when Merri suddenly began convulsing. Nikolai's body stiffened and his heart was in a knot witnessing Merri gasping for air and her body uncontrollably writhing on the bed. His usual unflappable facade cracked, "What is going on!"

 The nurse's face paled when she saw the monitor and anxiously called the nurse's station. She had never seen a patient in distress before and her voice was trembling, "Code Blue...Code Blue...room 657."

 Nikolai reflexively grabbed the nurse's arm to get her attention. "What the hell does that mean!"

 He realized he was scaring the woman and unhanded her. The young nurse was frightened by his sudden change and the dangerous aura surrounding him. She nervously stammered "She..she is going into cardiac arrest."

 Feeling as though his heart was being ripped from his chest he barked, "Do something!"

 The door opened and two doctors rushed into the room and Nikolai stepped away from the bed while they treated Merri.

 Covered in a layer of cold sweat watching as they used the defibrillator, he felt immeasurable guilt for giving her the Halcion. He was sure she suffered an allergic reaction to the drug because the dose was relatively small. It had been circulating for sometime with no reports of overdose.

 After receiving the jolt of electricity Merri suddenly opened her amer eyes wide and gasped. She had a terrified look on her face. Her throat was dry and her voice sounded hoarse, "Where..where am I?'

 The doctor calmly said, "Mercy Hospital."

 She looked at the doctors and nurses by the bed. She started coughing and her chest was tight. "KeKe KeKe...What happened?"

 The doctor pointed to Nikolai, "This man found you unconscious on the sidewalk. You are suffering from the effects of the cold and exhaustion."

 The hospital was short staffed and because of victims from the pile up on the northwest highway the doctors needed to get back to other patients .After they were sure her condition stabilized, one of the doctors said, "I will be back to check on you but we have other patients needing attention." 

 "Thank you doctors."

 After they left Merri gazed at the the handsome man standing at the end of the bed. "You brought me to the hospital?"

 He nodded and Merri coughed again. Looking around the spacious and nicely decorated room she had a worried expression. She was embarrassed, but felt she should admit she couldn't afford this room. Her health insurance will cover hospital expenses with a reasonable co pay but not a room like this. 

 "I appreciate your kindness in bring me to the hospital but I really can't afford this room."

 He quickly responded, "Miss, you don't need to worry about anything but getting better."

 When she heard his Russian accent she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. The last thing she remembered was going to a bar with Claire and Ren. She didn't recognize him as any of the Russian pervert's bodyguards but it seemed like too much of a coincidence.

 He noticed her wary look and calmly said, "You shouldn't drink so much in the future. You were unconscious lying on the sidewalk outside of the Crescent Moon Bar."

Nikolai handed her a business card from a construction company he owned. His name on the card as the company's CEO, Nikolai Rushkin