“Did you just order a hospital over to your house?”
“I did.”
“Why?”
I arch an eyebrow. “Because you don’t like hospitals.”
“I’m a big girl, I’ll survive.”
“Aurora, you think I’d ever make you go somewhere you don’t like? You think I could sit there, knowing how uncomfortable you were? No, malysh. That won’t be happening.”
Aurora rolls her lips, shifting in the seat as she twists her hands nervously. “You didn’t have to do that. I-I’ll be fine, really.”
“Stop that.”
“Stop what?”
“Stop assuming you’re a burden, Aurora. Stop making everyone around you feel comfortable at your own expense. Stop, and let me treat you like you deserve.”
Her lips part. “And how’s that?” she whispers.
I lean over and taking her face in my hands, tip my forehead against hers. “Like my most prized gift from the universe. I’ve taken lots of shit from that twisted piece of fate but I’d do it all over—all fucking over—if I knew I’d meet you at the end. So, let me be there for you. Let me serve in your shadow, Lychik. Let me show up for you and put you first. Let me be your shelter and a safe place…and yes, if going into a hospital will make you feel uncomfortable, I’ll bring it to my house every time.” Those green eyes gape at me. “Got it?”
Aurora nods.
“Good.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “Now, take us home, Lychik, before I lose consciousness.”
“Oh my God!” she squeal-shouts and starts the car.
When we arrive and take the elevator up to my floor, the medical team is already waiting for us, along with Denis himself. Well, that’s an unnecessary surprise.
If you’d met him on the street, you’d never be able to tell what monster hides behind that pretty face. He’s not built like a usual bodyguard. He doesn’t look dangerous, but it’s always the quiet ones, isn’t it?
Only his eyes give him away, and even then, it’s only when he allows them to. My father made him into the perfect machine. I haven’t seen Denis sincethatnight. But if he’s here it can only mean that father already knows.
“A personal visit? Should I be honored or scared?” I arch an eyebrow and wince. Unfortunately, Aurora sees it and tries to help support me.
Isn’t she cute.
“I was already in Boston and decided to hand deliver the hospital to you.” He narrows his gaze on my girl for a second longer until he connects the dots and sends me a questioning glance that I answer with one that saysshut it.
“I’m sorry to interrupt the stare down but can you finally get inside, Severin. Please,” Aurora says, and I open the front door.
Denis quickly introduces the medical staff, and they start setting up in the living room. Not a second later, Aurora leads me there and steps back.
“What is it, Lychik?” I ask when I catch her eyeing my apartment, Denis, and the medical staff with their top-of-the-line machines warily.
She gulps. “I knew you came from money. But it’s notjustmoney, is it?”
“No, it’s not.”
She nods pensively, and I know my secrets are slowly closing in on me. “Severin…” she says, trailing off and I look up again to see her staring at my kitchen cabinets. “Are those…are thosethe drawing you did with Emett?” she asks, her voice laced with equal parts shock and genuine awe.
“Yep.” I see more questions swirling in her eyes as the doubts and fears she has around her heart start cracking apart more and more. It almost makes me laugh that she’s more surprised that I’ve kept all of Emett’s paintings than about all that questionable money I come from, but Denis steals her attention. That fucker.
“You must be Aurora Johnson? Sava told me a lot about you,” Denis addresses her, and if I had any doubt that he remembered who she was, it was now long gone.
I never mentioned I was seeing Aurora to him.
