“Yes.” Alexei nodded, he glanced down at her though and observed her concerned expression. “Is there someone you are afraid of? Someone you need protecting from?” He asked then.
As he guided themselves to exit the room, Alexei made it a point to unlock the door now from the inside and open it for Polina. As they stepped into the hallway, there were various scattered footmen doing many things. Escorting frightened and sobbing women from the building, beating patrons and traders to pieces, treating wounds and making calls. These women would need to be placed, protected and documented. It was going to be challenging and they would no doubt need to tap local women’s shelters, there just wasn’t enough resources to accommodate.
Alexei continued to lead the young woman down the hall, no matter what they were doing, the foot soldiers parted to make room for him and by extension Polina.
“Not afraid of…but afraid for.” She began, her lip beginning to wobble then. “My mama…she’s still there with him, with my papa. He’s the one who sold me, just like he sold my sisters…” _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
Alexei lurched down to be near Polina’s face, wanting to make sure he heard her right.
“You will have to tell me everything, and I will go to your father.” Alexei said, if he was in the habit of selling girls, then Alexei would oblige his deathwish.
Polina jumped as the man quickly bent to her level, looking into his face with dewy lashes. She stared, startled by the sudden movement and unnerving closeness, but then she went on.
“My papa…he sold my sisters before to pay his debts. It made my mama sick, I’ve been taking care of her and-“ Polina’s voice began wavering then and she had to swallow a hard knot. “He won’t take care of her, I know he won’t. I don’t know if he will sell her too, or if he’ll abandon her. I-I need to know she will be safe too.” She simpered, needing to use everything she had in her to not start wailing right then and there in the middle of all the chaos and in front of this beast of a man. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
Alexei gave a little shake of his head, his intention to reassure her. He instinctively then, pulled her under his arm. He was sure it was too much, even though it was an impulse. So he tried to take care to not hold on too tightly.
“I will help your mama.” He said with certainty. Apart of this job, was to reunite families. He released her from his embrace and looked back down at her. “What is your name?” He asked her then.
Polina still startled at the squeeze, but allowed it without pulling away. She reached up to dab at her moist eyes, catching the tears pricked on her lashes.
“I’m Polina…what’s your name?” She asked, sure now, after observing the chaos around them that this man, regardless of his appearance, was in fact there to help her and all the other women in the building. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
“I’m Alexei.” He answered, observing her somewhat sternly. It was probably intense, his narrow eyes and the sharp planes of his face were thinly veiled by blood. Even his hands, though they reached gently to touch her shoulders, were stained red. “Polina, I will take care of this for you. You are safe now.” He reassured her again, and retracting his hands after a moment so not to hurt or scare her.
In truth, under all the blood on his face, his cheeks were pleasantly pink. Polina was beautiful, and so precious; he was reciting in his head, all the beautiful things he could compare her beauty to. ‘Doves, white ones. Unicorns with long manes. Swans, bathed in moonlight. Dew covered beds of baby’s breath, saltwater pearls; perfect and small enough to hold in his hand.’ He wanted badly to touch her but he feared she would crumple in his hands, or worse, be frightened by him.
He would’ve always saved her, made sure the Nikitin’s did right by her as they would all the women recovered tonight. And that would never be contingent on any returned or refused affections. But Alexei felt obligated to see to Polina’s needs personally. Why couldn’t he? Someone so precious should never need to suffer again. And Alexei had all the means to dedicate himself to that singular cause. But he’d keep his feelings private for now, because for all he lacked in brains; Alexei still knew there’s a time and a place for all things. Now was not the time.
“Polina, you’ll come with me. I’ll get you settled and you can tell me more about your family so I can better help them.” He informed her, wanting to keep her informed on their next moves.
He was already making moves back to Vania’s car, but he looked around for his Aunt and saw she was otherwise busy. She had exited the building with a girl of her own. Alexei couldn’t make out much of her features, but she was hugging Vania, inside her coat. Vania’s arms wrapped around her and she closed her eyes and clung to the woman as she wept. Alexei would just take the car, he could text her later.
“Alexei…” Polina uttered her rescuer’s name, as if testing out the sound. She glanced up at him as he informed her and while it frightened her to go anywhere with a stranger she had just met, she was aware she had very little limited choices. She furrowed her brows, casting her gaze back down. Her fingers found the bottom hem of the jacket and she anxiously worried at the stitching. “Where will you take me?” She asked. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
It was recommended in the mafia, to not tell unfamiliar people where you live or who your family was. It was the same sort of rules that superheroes were supposed to follow, keep your personal life secret; keep your loved ones safe. That being said, Polina was officially priority number one now. And Alexei wasn’t really worried about any harm she could send upon his family. Polina may do whatever she wants now, even at the detriment of his family.
“My family home, you will be safe there. No one will harm you.” Alexei answered, opening the car door or her. Although everyone in his family was capable of harming Polina, no one would have a reason too. His mother and sister, he was a little iffy on them not doing harm on impulse. But if he could conceal Polina, it wouldn’t be an issue.
“Your family home? They won’t mind? Are all the girls going there?” Polina asked, taking a look around to watch as the other women were being helped into cars and vans in the parking lot. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
“Hm. No, I don’t think so.” Alexei said after a thoughtful pause. He didn’t suppose his family would be thrilled. But not that mad, Alexei may get lectured at best and he’s been lectured before.
“And what if they do mind?” Polina asked, noting Alexei’s unsure tone. If he couldn’t take her back to his home with him, what would she do? She had nowhere to go. Moreover, she didn’t think roaming the streets dressed as she was would fair well for her either. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
Alexei could see the panic rising in Polina, he leaned down again and again put a careful arm around her shoulders. He resisted the urge to rest his chin atop her head, he knew it would be overly familiar and overwhelming. Not to mention that his face and hands were still sticky with blood. Not just blood either; thick clumps of nerves under his fingernails, slick across his palms. Tender pieces of flesh, clung to his face like clumpy paint drying thickly on a wall. He would only make her more dirty, and more frightened.
“They will scold me, but nothing bad will happen to you. I will not abandon you.” He reassured.
Polina felt her chest tighten a bit, whether that was from her wariness of Alexei's touch still or relief brought by his words, she wasn't sure. She swallowed thickly and mustered a nod.
"Okay...thank you." She said. _________________ Butts n' butts n' butts n' butts.
Alexei had removed himself from Polina and helped her into Aunt Vanias car. The streets were beginning to become crowded, lots of bodies; foot soldiers, police, and on lookers. Another reason Alexei took his aunts car, the windows were tinted and shatter proof. No one would be able to see Polina or do her any further harm as Alexei did his best to navigate New York traffic. He could drive, but he wasn’t especially good as it; he was much more accustomed to someone else doing it for him. But he got them to his family’s home without much issue, like most Nikitin properties that were occupied by their family, it was an upscale penthouse apartment.
Fauna fancied herself as someone with an eye for interior design, and she made an effort for their home to exude style and expensive taste. The home was mid century modern in architecture, but with luxury interiors. From high end flooring, to custom light fixtures. When Alexei opened the front door for Polina, they entered under a huge archway; the inside of it covered with smooth slabs of malachite. The light that hung above them was a ceiling light that looked like an exploding star; blown glass protruding in glowing red spikes.
“It might be better to be quiet.” Alexei advised, holding up a finger to his lips. “My mom might lecture me.” He said in a hushed tone.
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