And Sacha had just fired him. Technically, Sacha couldn’t do that because he was no longer with the Bratva.
“You can’t fire him,” I announced. “I won’t let you. I chose him as my protector and he’s staying.”
Sacha cocked a brow. “Don’t be stupid, Annika. He has a vulnerability that could get him—and anyone around him—killed. How can he protect you then?”
I swallowed hard. “You’re not part of the Bratva, anymore. You don’t get to pick who guards me, Sacha.” I spun my chair around. “I’m going to talk to him.” Before anyone could stop me, I wheeled down the hallway in search of Adrik.
He needed me. I had to find him. I had to help him. If I could. I understood PTSD more than the others. Because I’d experienced it myself.
Several minutes later, after a thorough sweep of the house, I still couldn’t locate him.
“Annika.”
I turned as Sacha came up behind me. He hesitated. “I’m sorry, but I had to call Pavel and apprise him of the situation. We can’t have Adrik guarding you when he can be triggered like that. He would be worthless to you in a dangerous situation and you know it. Pavel is bringing in a new team. They’ll be here tomorrow.”
Tears welled in my eyes. He was right. But it wasn’t fair. I didn’t want Adrik to go. I was just barely getting to know him.
I nodded, swallowing hard. “I understand.”
But my urgent need to find Adrik only increased.
“We’re heading home now. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
“Thanks, Sacha.”
He leaned down and gave me a quick hug. “Take care, cuz.”
“You, too.”
He left, the sound of his footsteps echoing down the hallway. Moments later the front door closed with a soft thud.
I eyed the back door, suspecting Adrik had gone out there.
Wheeling my chair forward, I paused at the door.
“Where do you think you’re going, Miss Annika?” Timofey called from behind me.
Dammit.
I spun my chair around and met his dark stare.
“I can’t find Adrik. I think he might have gone outside.”
“Leave him be,” Timofey advised. “I know him, and believe me he’s not going to want to talk to anyone right now. He just needs some time to cope.”
I had this urgent need to find him and go to him. Make sure he was okay.
“He needs someone,” I insisted.
“He needs to bealone,” Timofey corrected. “You chasing after him will only make it worse. Adrik’s not the kind of guy you push.”
I sighed in frustration. “I’m worried about him. He seemed really…distressed.”
Timofey sighed. “He’s probably embarrassed. And he just got fired. Shit, I hope they don’t send Oleg.”
I choked. “God forbid. I’m calling my papa.”
Timofey chuckled as I wheeled down the hallway for privacy and retrieved my phone from the side holder in my wheelchair.