Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“Katie?” I hate being out of the loop, but I’m more curious than anything.
Bile scorches the back of my throat when Ghost utters while staring at the door that leads to the hallway, “Kirill’s current wife.”
“That was Kirill?” I’ve heard rumors about him in the past couple of weeks. None of them were good. He is an evil, vile man who kills without blinking an eye and only keeps people around who benefit him. That’s why I was so shocked to hear his name leave Stace’s mouth on more than one occasion at the poker tournament.
My eyes widen as I’m smacked with a theory. “Could he be Stace’s baby daddy?” When Ghost arches a brow but remains quiet, I update him on the snickering comments I overheard during the tournament.
“And Alek was there?”
I nod. “I’m not sure if he heard her, but it kind of makes sense that he did. He knew crashing into her would get Kirill out of hiding.”
Ghost takes a moment to think before digging his cell phone out of his pocket and dialing a number.
One hour later, he has every medical report filed under Stace’s name.
“Kliment works fast,” I mumble to myself while scanning the reports Ghost is scrolling through. “What are you looking for?”
If he trusted me, I’d say he would answer. Since he doesn’t, he mutters, “You should be right to leave now, but make sure you take the most indirect route to Alek’s room.”
I’m a curious being, always have been, but since I care more about Alek than solving Ghost’s riddle, I thank him for his earlier assistance with a smile before slowly exiting his office.
It is early, so the many corridors of the Bobrov compound are empty. I make it back to Alek’s room unscathed before being hit by my second low blow today. The doctor was concerned enough to stay with him. He’s asleep on the armchair in the corner of the room.
“Hey,” he greets when my tiptoe across the room isn’t as quiet as I am hoping. There are no machines attached to Alek, and no IV bag trickles, so even something as gentle as a swallow can be heard.
I stop at the foot of Alek’s bed. “How is he?”
The doctor screws up his face. “He’d be better if he took his medication as prescribed.” He stands before fixing his rumpled tie. “Episodes like this would be few and far between if—”
“He wasn’t so damn stubborn.”
He laughs before adding, “And stressed.” He looks over at Alek before returning his focus to me. “I’m not a neurologist, but if I were, my diagnosis would be stress-induced seizures.”
"Seizures?”
He jerks up his chin. “His previous TBI wouldn’t help, but I believe this episode today was his body’s response to his brain being overworked. It starts with seizures before it eventually expands to permanent paralysis.”
“You mean he could die?”
The doctor swallows. It is understandable. My question sounded more like a threat than a way to seek answers. “Possibly. His brain will only take so much damage before it eventually affects his speech and movements. Once that starts, his capacity of life will diminish with them.” I’m torn between telling him to get the fuck out and begging him to never leave Alek’s side, but I don’t go for either when he adds, “But simple management with medication and some lifestyle changes will lessen the chances of permanent neurological damage.” He shifts his eyes back to Alek, the fondness in them lessening my anger. “He just needs to stop being so damn stubborn.”
“We both do,” I murmur under my breath before thanking the doctor for his help and showing him to the door. I don’t want any witnesses to my groveling. I wouldn’t even hang around for it if I weren’t the one issuing it.
Once I’m alone with Alek, I toe off my shoes and strip out of the clothes I tossed on in a hurry when he left, then slip into his bed. His heart thudding against my ear is lyrical gold. It is strong and robust, incapable of being taken down.
“That’s what you need to learn,” I whisper in his ear, my words barely rustle in the air.
“Medication doesn’t weaken you. It makes you stronger.”
I realize I am going about my apology in the wrong manner when I tickle my fingertips over the fine hairs splayed across his chest. The tattoo there is tiny since her feet were only the length of a pen cap, but the detail placed into the artwork Alek got inked the morning I left him can’t be denied. It is our daughter’s feet I caressed and kissed with no thought that Alek might like to do the same.
Because I was so hurt, I used her as a weapon against him the same way my father did my mother.
“She was not my pawn to use against you, and I’m so fucking sorry I did that.” My tears splash onto his chest as I trace her perfect little feet. “I was lost, but that isn’t an excuse. You had every right to be there and to hold her. I should have never taken that away from you.”