“It is,” she rasped. “At least this is how it felt before. Nathan said I need to do it as much as possible.”
She repeated the breath, dragging as much air as she could into her lungs for as long as she was able, then blowing it all out.
Yuri gripped her forearm, then placed her hand on top of his own arm, giving her something warm and solid to grip when she drew the next breath. A tear slipped down her cheek, but she just squeezed her eyes shut and kept going, in and out, in and out, trying to get the trapped, foul air out of her lungs.
“Ros, stop. You’re hurting yourself. I don’t like this.”
She shook her head. “I have to. I’m not going to let myself get pneumonia.”
“Then use my other arm too.” He slid his second arm beneath her free hand, and she gripped it before dragging in another breath, and another.
“How long are you supposed to do it for?”
“As long as possible. My breaths are getting deeper. Can you tell? It’s like I can get more air into my lungs now than before.”
“The only thing I can tell is that your pain is getting worse.”
He wasn’t wrong. Fire engulfed her ribs, but the pain would pass. It was only for a few weeks. It didn’t have the ability to kill her the way pneumonia did.
Yuri didn’t say anything more, only stood beside her as she finished the final set of breaths, his arms still beneath her hands.
When she was done, she sagged forward and pressed a hand to her ribs.
Yuri stepped behind her and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. “That’s enough for now. Come lie down.”
She didn’t move right away. Her chest ached too much, but she eventually let him guide her to the bed. She climbed onto the mattress with slow, careful movements, wincing as she lowered herself onto her side.
Yuri pulled the covers over her, then hesitated, hovering at the edge of the bed. “Do you need anything before I go? Some food or water, perhaps? Maybe a snack?”
There was something she needed, though it had nothing to do with food, and she felt like a fool for asking it.
But what was a little more embarrassment after Yuri had already undressed her? So she forced the words out. “Will you hold me?”
“You want me to... to get into bed with you?”
“Like on the ship, yes.”
“But you’re on land. You’re not moving.”
“That’s not why I’m asking.” With her back to him, she couldn’t see him to even guess what he was thinking.
He stood beside the bed for so long, she was certain he’d refuse her. But then she felt the bed dip.
Little rustling noises sounded next, likely him untying his boots. A moment later, she heard them drop to the floor with a thud. Then he crawled into bed behind her, moving slowly as he scooted closer and curled one arm around her middle. His chest pressed lightly against her back, warm and strong and steady.
She let out a shaky breath, tears leaking from her eyes, even though she had no reason to shed them.
“I have you now.” His breath brushed the back of her neck. “You don’t need to worry about anything anymore. Just rest and get better. I’ll take care of the rest.”
Tears flooded her eyes anew, because she knew she could believe him. Knew he’d do everything he’d just promised.
But the tender, loving man who was holding her was still planning on dropping her off in Texas, then filing annulment paperwork and walking out of her life forever.
34
Washington, DC; Thirteen Days Later
“What if the money’s gone?”
