After he pulls the leaf out, I whisper a "thank you" and let him continue his argument with the DJ while I double-check the guest list and the menu.
I hear the distant roar of a motorcycle, and my heart seizes.
Marry me.
His words echo in my head, and I try to shake off the way a few simple words make my skin break out in goose bumps. And if that's the case, why the hell wasn't my first answer an immediate NO?
The wedding went mostly without incident, if you ignore the fact that the bride almost ran from the altar. But hey, as long as the marriage certificate was signed and the food was eaten, my job was done.
So now I'm on my couch with a pint of Ben & Jerry's cookie dough ice cream, watchingThe Mentalistfor the umpteenth time.
I feel like this whole day was ripped from another universe with everything that happened, and my body jolts with panic as I instinctively jump up to check that I double-locked the door. The windows are next on the list even though I checked them when I first got home. This paranoia is going to be the death of me.
My phone buzzes with a new message from an unknown number, and when I open it, the device slips through my fingers.
Because the message is a picture of Yuri. Yuri, whose face is battered and swollen, his hand twisted at an impossible angle.
He left the venue at the same time I did, three hours ago.
My breaths come in ragged gasps as I try to choke back the wave of guilt and nausea that threatens to erupt.
"What have I done?" I whisper, because I feel like I've woken a sleeping monster.
Another chime announces a second message, this time a text.
"YURI IS IN FRONT OF THE METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW. A GIFT FOR YOU, ROXY. TO SHOW YOU I CAN BE GENTLE."
I try to fight back the tears, but when I think of Yuri, who only wanted to not disappoint his mother, who just a week ago ordered me a jasmine tea because he knew it was my favorite, I can no longer hold them back.
I somehow manage to get dressed, swearing the entire time that I will avenge him.
That I will make sure that fucking monster pays for what he did.
I grip the phone, dialing the number that will seal my future, but right now, it's my only chance at salvation.
After the first ring, Damien answers.
"SIX MONTHS," I tell him, "and I want to skin that bastard myself when we get our hands on him."
Chapter 13
Roxy
I hate the smell of antiseptic and desperation. I’ve been rooted to this chair for over five hours. Yuri has been in surgery since I’ve arrived, and my only solace is the fact that he's still breathing.
If he’s breathing, he has a chance. I’m not a religious person, but I clasp my hands, close my eyes, and pray to whatever entity might be listening to save him. He’s an innocent in all of this, a casualty of his proximity to me.
"Roxy?" Kai’s voice materializes beside me.
When I got here, I didn't know who to call. Luna and Roman are out of town for Julia's birthday, so my only option was to mention Kai’s name—the doctor Roman has on speed dial for personal house calls—to a nurse at the front desk.
"How is he?" I ask, my voice laced with exhaustion.
"The surgery went well, but his arm will need physical therapy to regain full mobility. What worries me is the concussion. We'll have to keep him under observation for a few days to make sure there's no brain swelling."
I simply nod.
After Kai briefs me on other possible complications, I decide to call Yuri’s mother. The call lasts ten minutes, during which I reassure her that there’s no need to come tonight, that Yuri is stable for now.
