Page 128 of Whispers in the Dark
I press my lips to hers one last time and then, to appease her, I lie back, resting my head against the pillow while keeping my sight on her.
She glances over at the door and then back at me. “I should probably call for Dr. Rose now that you’re up. Or, at least, let your family know. They’ve been worried sick about you, taking shifts to always make sure someone is here. Most of them are probably sleeping in the hallway now.”
I shake my head. Before I get bombarded by my family, I need to talk to her.What happened?
She clutches the side of the bed, her knuckles tightening. “Vin shot Kazimir the same moment that Kazimir stabbed you. Everything after that is a little fuzzy. All I saw was the blood surrounding you. There was so much blood…” Her words drift off as she appears lost in thought, but she quickly shakes her head. “Your brothers and cousins got us out of there, bringing you here to Dr. Rose’s clinic. That was three days ago.”
I’ve been here for three days?
My eyes skim over her face, noting the dark bags under her eyes. A clear indication of the little sleep she’s had these past few days.
Have you been here the whole time?
“I…” She takes a deep breath. “I’ve been balancing my time between you and my father, but I… I couldn’t leave your side for more than a few minutes.”
Where did you sleep?
She hooks a thumb over her shoulder. “I used that chair.”
My brows furrow as I see the tiny recliner in the corner of the room with a blanket and pillow on it. Something entirely not suitable for her to be sleeping on.
“Why do you look worried about me when you’re the one who was stabbed?”
Because I am.
“I’m fine,” she says softly, trying to convince me.
But I’m not buying it.
Not for one second, knowing what she’s been through.
Or at least, partially knowing.
I study her for a moment, then ask,What happened to Kazimir?
“He’s alive.” She swallows hard. “Your brothers have him.”
Everything between the Vasilievs and us has been child’s play up until now.
Because once I kill him, the war will officially start.
And I can only hope we all make it through in one piece.
And where’s your father?
“He’s a few rooms down. He’s okay. Just shaken up.”
Her eyes catch with mine, and I hold her stare, watching as her brown irises glisten with so many emotions.Talk to me.
She looks down at the side of the bed where her fingers trace the edge of the mattress. “About what?” She blinks back tears. “About how I lied to you about what was really in my mother’s will, so you would marry me? About me never telling you who I was related to? About my father… About my father having dementia?” She looks up at me with the saddest pair of eyes I’ve ever seen, and it sends a wild current of pain skipping across my chest. “I lied to you about everything, and because of that, you ended up here.” She shakes her head, dragging her fingers through her hair. “You almost died because of me.”
They were holding your father’s life over you.
She nods, folding her arms around herself as she looks down. “I should have told you. I should have told you everything.”
I grip her elbow to gain her attention.Yes, you should have told me because I love you and would do anything tokeep you safe. But I understand why you didn’t. You love your father and were doing everything you could to keep him safe.
She blinks away her tears and nods. “I’ve been so scared.”
