Page 77 of Secret Husband
“I can take care of it. You go home and remember to hydrate.”
I hated being sick, but hopefully I could sleep it off and be right as rain tomorrow. Just as I got in my car, I got a text from Thad.
How about tomorrow? I have a client meeting tonight.
Me
I’m not feeling so good anyway. Maybe stomach flu?
Thad
Oh no. Hope you feel better soon!
The next day I felt worse. Possibly food poisoning, but I had barely eaten anything yesterday except for some fruit and yogurt. Or maybe I’d been on the wrong end of a sneeze from someone diseased.
I needed to sleep, but first, I set an alarm for the call to Volkov this afternoon. I couldn’t miss it, though it might be better to do audio only, especially if I looked anywhere near as bad as I felt. I also sent a text to Hatch, telling him I had to bail on the Rebels hockey camp.
Getting up to use the bathroom, I almost fell over from the spinning sensation. Not good. Not even fun. Like I was drunk but without the benefits of being accidentally married.
Oops. I did not just think that. Definitely not of sound mind or body.
I finally managed to do my business, but the thought of heading to the kitchen for water seemed insurmountable. I put my mouth under the bathroom tap, raccoon-style, then seconds later, threw up.
Okay, sleep. That was what I needed, just a few hours before my call to Volkov. I put one foot in front of the other, made it to the bed, and collapsed like a starfish on top of the covers.
Someone was here.
Thad? It couldn’t be. I had never given him a key, and even if he had one, he wouldn’t dare. He hated sickness and couldn’t bear to be around me the last time I had the flu.
“Hello?”
“It is okay, my kotyonok.” A deep voice soothed. Not Jason, who did have my key. Not Gunnar or my dad. I knew he wasn’t around anymore, but he used to be when I needed him. Especially after Mom died. I missed him, though I shouldn’t, not after what he had done.
More words, low and comforting. Him. How was he here? It must be a dream.
“Can’t get rid of you.” It didn’t sound like me. That voice was rusty, like it came from a witch. “Cast a spell and here you are.”
“I will always come for you.”
I snorted. It felt snotty. Gross. The room was dark, but enough light shone through the doorway to cast a glow over him. Angelic, beautiful, perfect.
“Stupid.”
“What is?”
I struggled to sit up. I was under the covers, though I didn’t remember how I got there. “You. Stupid husband. Why do you look so good?”
“She’s delirious.” Another male voice that sounded like Jason. Thank God, because I couldn’t be alone with that other guy. Too dangerous.
Something was in my mouth, then it wasn’t.
“102.2. Bad but not terrible.”
Somebody mentioned a doctor and I raised a hand dramatically. “No doctors! I’m fine. I need to …” I couldn’t recall what I needed to do. Something related to Alexei.
“Why are you here?”
Jason moved closer. “Nazarov said you missed an important client call and Esme’s been trying to get ahold of you.”
