Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 92474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
At least Snake and Santiago were dead. Regent and Maxim were on clean-up. But Regent had called to let her know that Lilia had gotten her mother and they were leaving the city.
So Lilia was safe.
But Anita had been shot. She was in surgery, fighting for her life.
What would she do if she died?
She’d failed her.
“Baby.” Victor sat beside her, placing his hand on the small of her back. “You need to come rest.”
“I can’t leave.”
“You don’t have to. I’ve got a bed ready for you. Come on. You’re resting. And if you argue, I have a doctor ready with a sedative.”
Tears dripped down her face as she crawled into Victor’s lap. “You’re always threatening to drug me.”
“I’ve only threatened that a couple of times. And you’re really starting to worry me. If we don’t get you some rest you’re going to end up in here as a patient.”
He lifted her into his arms. Right as a doctor walked into the room.
“Ms. Stall?” the doctor asked.
“Yes?” She didn’t care that Victor was carrying her. “Is my niece all right?”
“She’s strong. She came through the surgery. It’s still going to be a long recovery, but her vitals are good at this point.”
“Oh, God. When can I see her?”
“She’s in ICU and she’ll be out for a while. Why don’t you get some rest and come back later? We’ll take good care of her.”
When the doctor left, she turned to Victor. “I think I should stay—”
“We’re not staying,” he told her in a gentle voice. He brushed her hair behind her ears. “You’ve had a huge shock. This isn’t something you’re used to. Your body needs proper rest. You need something to eat. Anita is fine for the moment. She has plenty of people to look after her. My job is to take care of you. And that’s what I’m going to do. So we’re going home and you will rest. And once I have determined you’ve had enough sleep, you can return. Understand?”
She thought about arguing. But she was so exhausted. And she could admit that she was near the end of her tolerance. She could feel fine trembles rocking through her body and she felt nauseous every time she moved.
“All right,” she whispered.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived home to the Malone mansion. Brax was driving with Ajax in the passenger seat. She wondered if things would ease up now with Santiago and Snake dead.
Victor led her inside and into their bedroom.
“I want a shower,” she whispered.
“How about a bath? Then I can get you some food and something to drink while you soak.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“I want you to try and eat something. Please.”
The please did it for her and she nodded tiredly. After drawing her a bath, he helped her undress and climb in.
He stared down at her in worry.
“I’m okay, Victor,” she murmured.
“No, you’re not. But you will be. I won’t have it any other way. I’ll be as quick as I can. You won’t fall asleep, will you? Maybe I should have Aero come up here.”
“You wouldn’t!” Her eyes widened as she gaped up at him.
“Not inside the bathroom. I’d cut out his eyes and feed them to the birds,” he growled.
“Ew, if I wasn’t feeling nauseous before, I am now.”
“You’re nauseous? You didn’t tell the doctor that at the hospital.”
He’d insisted that she get checked over, even though she hadn’t really been anywhere near the action.
So overprotective.
“Because I’m tired. That’s all. I promise.”
He studied her, then nodded. “If you’re still feeling ill tomorrow, then you’re staying in bed and I’m calling the doctor.”
“Okay,” she agreed, knowing it was pointless to argue.
Ten minutes later, he was back with some cheese, crackers, and grapes, which he fed to her by hand.
If she’d been feeling better, she would have appreciated that more. She made a mental note to revisit this some time.
He quickly showered off, then lifted her out of the bath and got her ready for bed. He did everything. Brushed her hair, got her in her pajamas, he even brushed her teeth. She felt like a doll.
But despite her exhaustion, when he tucked them both up into bed, her mind was still running. Victor pulled her to lie on top of him, rubbing her back gently.
“Go to sleep, baby. Just let it go.”
“I don’t think I can.”
Trembles started to rock her.
“Baby,” he crooned softly. “You’re okay. You’re all right.”
“You could have died,” she said brokenly. “What would I ever do without you?”
“I hope you never have to find out. I’m determined that you won’t. But if it ever happens, you know you’ll be taken care of. You’re part of our family now.”
That didn’t really make her feel better. She wasn’t certain that anything would.
“It’s all over. We’re all safe. Everything is going to be all right. You and me, we’re going to get married, have a pile of kids, and live happily ever after.”