Unconditional

Chapter Three

        His suggestive grin told me the space was not so we were farther apart but something much dirtier. For what seemed like the hundredth time today, my cheeks reddened. I'd know many Russian men and Raven was similar but after the way he held me this morning I would never seem him in the same light.

        "I just said I will barely be home, the only way I see any of you is if you gets injured."

        "Don't give him any ideas!" Brandon was still on the couch, half watching a tv program and half laughing at our conversation.

         "He's right. Next thing you know Raven will find ways for us to have to be at the hospital everyday you work. I wouldn't put it past him to maim Marc or Brandon." Axel seemed more at ease and relaxed the longer I bantered with his team and I enjoyed the more playful side of him.

        "Don't maim anybody." Corey said to Raven. His tone was serious but his eyes were playful, dancing with mirth. It made me smile when Raven stared at Corey for a few seconds before nodding sullenly.

        "I'm going to go get my stuff now." I announced before I stirred up any more trouble and someone actually got maimed. Russian's were very serious about this stuff. Next thing I know Raven will be giving me a fruit cup and expecting marriage.

        "I'll come with you." I wasn't surprised when Raven followed me to the door, barely a step behind me.

        I honestly didn't know what to think about Raven's advances. I liked him, he was funny and gruff but also had a soft side but I'd only known him for a few hours. In Greece it was often similar, but most men would bombard women with sweet talk until they caved. After that, most relationships happened very quickly. From what I'd learned about Russian culture from my father it was similar, except less sweet talk more cavemen possessive talk.

        "Raven you can't just follow her around." Axel gave me an apologetic look.

        "I'll go with them." Corey volunteered, jumping up from his seat and shutting his laptop. This seemed to placate Axel, probably because Corey seemed to be the only one Raven would listen to anyways.

        "If they're going, I'm going." Brandon pulled himself off the couch. "I want to see where Sang lives."

        "I guess I'm coming too then." Axel adjusted his glasses and before I knew what was happening I had four men trailing me to my empty apartment.

        "You guys do realize I live less than a minute away and all I'm doing is grabbing a bag." I was slightly bewildered, unlocking the door and swinging it open. My apartment was the same as I left it, musty, empty and a little depressing.

        "I really didn't need anybody to come with me." I reiterated as they poked around.

        Raven went straight to the bedroom off to the left, which was completely empty and very small. Corey and Brandon glanced into the bathroom, flicking the light on and off. I knew from earlier the sink was cracked and the porcelain yellowing. Axel went right, towards the kitchen the was open to the living room.

        "And I thought our apartments were cramped and outdated." Brandon scoffed.

        I didn't say anything, just shrugging and going to the corner where two duffel bags remained. The top one was filled with the few clothing items I'd brought and the bottom was objects like photographs, a couple hygiene products, my laptop and a few books. I grabbed them both just to be safe.

         "Is that all you brought?" Axel raised his eyebrows as I met the four of them back at the front door.

        "Yes. I donated most of my clothes and books before I left Greece. I just buy new stuff when I need it."

        "You have everything you owned packed into two duffel bags?" I met Corey's eyes and for the first time I saw him truly frown. I don't know why, but it almost tore my heart out to see the normally cheerful Corey frowning.

        "Three technically." I didn't know what else to say to make him stop frowning.

         "We're going shopping tomorrow." Much to my surprise it was Raven that spoke up as he reached for my bags. Not bothering to argue, I handed them over to let him carry.

        "I'm meeting with Dr. Roberts tomorrow afternoon." I explained to Raven softly.

         "Then we go in the morning." I looked at his determined face and he stared right back, challenging me to argue.

        I didn't. I just nodded in agreement because I did need to go shopping and if Raven was willing to go with me I wouldn't decline. I liked his company.

        "Family shopping trip!" I almost sighed in relief when Corey lit up again but both Brandon and Axel groaned, looking weary.

        "The last time we had a family shopping trip Raven got stuck in a clothing rack after Marc and him got bored and decided to hide from the rest of us. They staff had to take apart the rack to get him out." Brandon explained to me.

          "I won, they found Marc first."

        I looked at Raven as we stepped back into their apartment, no wonder he got stuck in a clothing rack, he really was massive. As I began to draw a mental image of what had happened I burst into laughter. I could see Raven, stuck between two racks that were bolted to the wall with a mad grin on his face when he found out Marc had been found first.

        "I'm surprised they didn't call security when they saw him." I was still giggling and it seemed to please Raven, who had stayed within a foot of where I was standing.

          "They tried." Corey grumbled. "I had to convince them that it was an accident and that Raven was just really excited to look through the clothes."

        "We were in the lingerie section." Axel huffed and I couldn't contain myself from bursting into another fit of laughter. These boys.

        "You and me will have to visit that section tomorrow, Kotyonok." I laughed harder, shaking my head as I closed the bathroom door in Raven's face so I could finally shower.