This was all new territory to Victor. He was meant to strike fear into the hearts he was around. He was meant to be a man of little emotion. But due to the circumstances, he swallowed his pride and wrapped his arms around the trembling girl – the least he could do was provide her with comfort. “I’m sorry. This is all my fault, I…” Unsure with how to continue, he decided to stay silent. His rough hand rubbed her arm gently until he felt her shaking subdue slightly. 

As he embraced her small body, he saw Tiny pass by the door way and let out a sharp “pssssst” to get his attention. When Tiny returned to the threshold, Vic gave him an order. “Gather a few of the boys. Get this man out of here.” The boy nodded and ran off to find some of the crew. Only a few silent minutes passed until three returned, and they lifted the man and took him out to the street with no questions asked. As they left, Victor let go of Alice and looked at her. “I can stay here, sleep on the floor.” He frowned slightly, looking at how upset she still was. “I’m sorry, Alice.”  He squeezed the arm he had been caressing and stood up in front of her. “Is there anything you need?” He inspected her and noticed the blood that was drying on her neck. He lifted the end of his shirt for a moment, put it in his mouth, and used fabric to remove it. He realized she would probably find it very brutish of him to do, and quit as he had the thought. 

He turned towards the small closet on the other wall of the room and took down an extra blanket and down pillow. “I don’t mind,” he said before she could protest, and he plopped the bedding on the wooden floor next to her bed, making himself comfortable after he set them up to his liking. His stomach was in knots, guilt eating away at him. He probably wouldn't sleep after this, but he promised himself that he would stay in the room for the remainder of the night so she felt safe enough to sleep.