They made it through customs and into the arrivals area. To her surprise, Goodie saw Nick’s parents’ faces in the crowd, and once they made it through she was very gently hugged and kissed by both of them. Goodie allowed this. She even managed a small smile for their benefit whilst Nick’s dad clapped him on the back and his mum gave him a more powerful hug than she had bestowed on the still-delicate Goodie.
‘Myshka.’
Goodie’s head snapped up as she heard Natasha’s voice, and relief flooded her. The tall brunette strode through the throng of people until she was squatting in front of Goodie.
‘I told you not to call me “little mouse”,’ Goodie said to her in Russian. Natasha reached up and touched the bruising on Goodie’s face softly, her eyes taking in the split in her lip, the sling on her arm and the cast on her leg.
‘Oh,little mouse,’ Natasha said in Russian still, her eyes filling with tears, one of which spilled down her perfectly made-up cheek. ‘What did you do?’
‘I’m fine. I will heal.’
Natasha’s eyes slowly widened and a look of horror filled her face. ‘Did Dmitry …?’
Goodie let out a short humourless laugh. ‘I’m not stupid. He would never have been able to touch me. I had already sorted out that problem before this happened. The deal I made meant that even if I had died he would be kept in line.’
Natasha’s face had paled at the mention of Goodie dying. ‘I’m not dead,’ Goodie reassured her. ‘Not even close.’
‘No thanks tothatarsehole,’ Natasha muttered, nodding towards a bemused Nick and giving him her best fake smile. Fortunately only Sam could understand them, and even he was probably struggling given the dialect they were using and speed at which they were talking.
‘It was my choice, Tasha,’ Goodie said firmly. ‘He was not mine to claim. He did nothing wrong.’ Natasha narrowed her eyes at Goodie; it would be a while before she forgot the look on her sister’s face when she had seen Nick dancing with Lila. ‘I just need time to rest. That’s why I asked you to come for me.’
‘Of course you do,’ Natasha said, standing to her full height to look Nick in the eye. ‘Hello, Mr Chambers,’ she addressed him, extending her hand for him to shake and switching to her perfect English. ‘I’ll be taking Goodie home with me now.’
‘Well …’ Nick said, frowning across at her, ‘that’s a surprise. When we last spoke I believe you denied even knowing my girlfriend as a passing acquaintance.’
‘I am not your girl –’
‘Hello again, Miss Alkaev,’ Bertie cut in, and made a grab for Natasha’s hand. Pumping it up and down with vigour. ‘May I say, that’s a terribly nice blouse you’re wearing this afternoon.’ The force of the handshake was jolting Natasha’s body; she glanced down at the form-fitting jumper she had on and her lips tipped up in amusement.
‘That’s very kind, Mr Chambers.’
‘Oh, do please call me Bertie, everyone does,’ he said, his hand shaking slowing but still not showing any signs of releasing her any time soon.
‘Okay, Bertie, I think you can let her go now,’ Claire said gently from his side, and Bertie’s face flushed red as he dropped Tasha’s hand and stepped back.
‘I’m so sorry for any confusion,’ Nick put in smoothly, moving behind Goodie’s chair and gripping the handles tightly. ‘But Goodie is coming with me. We’ve got everything set up for her at the house. I’ve built a therapy room, there’s an indoor swimming pool, a private physio is coming daily, a nurse will be there to help her get settled, and until she’s stronger a private GP is coming to sort out her pain meds. It’s all sorted.’
Goodie watched as Natasha frowned across at Nick in confusion, then down at Goodie in the chair.
‘I’mnotgoing with him,’ Goodie said firmly. Nick’s jaw tensed for moment before he moved around Goodie’s chair to Natasha and pulled her away from the group.
* * *
‘Please,’Nick said once they were out of hearing distance, ‘I don’t know what connection you have with Goodie, but Idoknow that you don’t trust me. That’s my fault, I made a poor judgment in an attempt to make Goodie jealous and get her back. It was stupid of me but I never stopped loving her. I promise you I can look after her better than anyone.’ When Natasha crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion, he ran both his hands through his hair before saying. ‘I was getting through to her. She was changing. I could make her happy. I know I could. Give me that chance. Please.’
‘Not much can hurt her,’ Natasha said, her voice still cold but her expression slightly softer. ‘But you … you managed it.’ Nick winced and she uncrossed her arms to lay her hand on his shoulder. ‘Don’t do it again.’
Nick’s expression cleared and he smiled at her, ruthlessly deploying the dimple. ‘Excellent,’ he said, his smug tone now back in place, and Natasha sighed.
‘Even with my backing it’s not going to be that easy to persuade her to –’
‘Don’t worry about the persuading bit,’ Nick said, winking as he skirted around her to go back to Goodie. On his way over he signalled to someone across the crowd, before dropping back down to a crouch in front of Goodie’s wheelchair.
‘What’s going on?’ Goodie said through gritted teeth. He tried to take her hand in his but she snatched it away, the sudden movement causing her to flinch in pain and Nick to bite back a curse.
‘It’s all decided,’ he told her, ‘you’re coming home with us. Natasha’s not really set up for you anyway. You need to be sensible about this.’ Goodie looked round him at Natasha and scowled.
‘Listen,myshka,’ Natasha said carefully, ‘maybe he’s right. I mean, it would be tricky at my place and –’
