Alina starts to tell me about the shelter’s issues and how she wants to help, when she stops abruptly, her hand to her mouth.
I frown, slowing the car. “Are you okay?”
She shakes her head, and I pull over, thankful we’re on a suburban street.
She throws open the car door and tumbles out to throw up, ending up on her hands and knees on the grass.
I race to her side, handkerchief at the ready in one hand, phone in the other, not sure what to do.
“I’ll call an ambulance.” I kneel next to her.
She looks at me with tears in her eyes as she takes the handkerchief and wipes her mouth. “No, no, I’m fine. I didn’t have anything to throw up, just tea…”
I help her up and ease her back into the car, then I crouch in front of her.
“Malyshka,” I say, “what’s wrong? Are you sick?”
“Nyet,” she answers. “As I said, I’m stressed.”
The bodyguard has also pulled over and gotten out, but he doesn’t approach, just sweeps the area with his gaze, his hand near his gun.
I return my focus to Alina. “You were sick.”
“Stress does that. All the fighting with Demyan makes me ill. I’ve been feeling tired and off for a few days.”
I frown. “I think you need to get checked out. See a doctor. Promise me.”
“Sure. Can?—”
“Tomorrow.”
She sighs. “Tomorrow. I promise.”
“Do you want me to take you?”
“No. I’ll be fine. I’ve got Erin and Isla and the bodyguard. Albert’s a great guard dog.”
Albert’s protective but nothing like a real guard dog that would rip a man apart if he touched her. But, to be fair to Albert, he’d try.
“He’s the best,” I say. “But we can swing by the hospital?—”
“I don’t need the hospital.” Alina shakes her head. “I’m good, honestly. You focus on finding Melor so I can move back in, and then I bet I’ll feel like myself again.”
Myselfagain, she says, like she hasn’t been.
“Doctor tomorrow?”
“I promise, Ilya.” She cups my cheek. “And promise you’ll sort the rest so I can come home.”
I smile. “I like the sound of that.”
“I… I think I’m good now. We can eat?—”
“No,malyshka,” I say, standing. “You’re going home, and Magda, who I have on speed dial, will serve you soup.”
I make good on that, and when we arrive at Demyan’s, Magda leads Alina inside. I promise to call her later.
Chapter Fifteen
