“Not quite. Hospital.”
His eyes looked around the room taking everything in. His eyes landed on her jacket with big bold letters DEA.
“Traitor,” he hissed. “I always knew I didn’t like you for a reason.”
He started to sit up then groaned in pain. His hand reached for his chest but was stopped by the handcuff attached to his wrist and connecting him to the bed.
“Once you’ve been cleared by the doctor, you’ll be moved to the prison. You’re lucky. The doctors gave you a low percentage of surviving.”
“I am not lucky,” he growled. “It’s unfair that you should live and Aleksei die. God is cruel.” He huffed before collapsing on the bed as if all of his energy were depleted.
Zoe stepped closer. He was in no condition to harm her. Besides, Greg and a DEA agent stood just outside the door. “Viktor is dead for his double-crossing, so maybe not so cruel.”
“What difference does it make? Aleksei is dead. Maxim is probably dead. Leo. Everyone I know is dead.” He collapsed back on his pillow, his eyes closed and his face pinched in pain; Zoe was sure it had more to do with his brother than his injuries.
“Not everyone.” Boris looked up at her, his eyebrows puckered in confusion. “Viktor and Maxim are dead, yes. Leo is alive after Maxim saved him and…Aleksei is alive.”
Instead of looking relieved, Boris’s gaze turned thunderous. “How dare you tell lies! I heard the shots. I heard Diego say everyone was dead.”
“Someone kept him out of the building. He’s alive. People are working on getting him a new identity, a place to live, and money, and even enrolling him in school. Giving him the life he should have had.”
“I did the best I could,” Boris growled in defense.
“I know, but the life of crime was never for him. Aleksei is sweet and kind. This life would have eventually killed him and his spirit. Now he has a chance at a normal life.”
Boris looked down at his lap. She could tell he was starting to believe that Aleksei was alive. “My brother lives.” Emotion swirled in his eyes. Relief, joy, and pain. “At least now he can find a good man.”
Zoe’s mouth fell open in a silent gasp. How did he know Aleksei was gay? Aleksei went out of his way so no one knew.
“What?” Boris asked with humor in his tone. “He’s my brother. He was never very good at keeping secrets from me.”
“It doesn’t bother you?”
Boris shook his head. “I love my brother, no matter what. No matter whom he chooses to love.”
“He’ll be relieved to know that.” Zoe wrung her hands nervously. She shouldn’t say anything since it wasn’t her place, but since they were on the subject. “He was always worried about what you would think of it. It’s not accepted in your culture. He thought it would be a shame that you fought so hard to keep him safe from your family only to turn your back on him.”
“Never,” Boris spoke venomously before his face crumpled in pain. “I only wish I had the chance to tell him myself.” He lifted his shackled arm. “I will not see him for a long time. If ever.” Boris looked down at himself. “Maybe it is best I stay out of his life. I’ll only end up fucking it up.”
“It would hurt Aleksei if you stayed away. You are the only family he has. If you like, I can arrange meetings in the prison so you can see each other. You can always write.”
“You would do that?” he asked skeptically, as if not expecting that kind of generosity. In their world, no one was ever nice or did things for others without expecting something in return.
Zoe nodded. “Aleksei needs his brother in his life. No matter how different the two of you are. He loves you. I only want to see him happy.”
Boris nodded, for the first time looking at her with respect instead of hate. “You’re not so bad. This doesn’t mean I like you, but thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I have to go now, but I’ll see to the arrangements.” Zoe turned and left. Greg didn’t say anything, just held out his hand which she easily took, and they left the hospital. She was ready for the next chapter in her life.
Epilogue
Zoe was having the best dream. Warm heat caressed her bare legs before soft kisses trailed up them to the juncture of her thighs. Her legs fell open like a well-worn book to accommodate wide shoulders.
She moaned as something wet stroked along the seam of her sex before darting inside. Greg sucked and licked her clit like it was his favorite treat. Her legs spread wider as hands came up and opened her nether lips wider. Zoe reached for an anchor as the storm that had been building in her core was about to splinter her apart. Her fingers found hair. That’s when she realized she was actually gripping hair.
Her eyes sprang open and stared down at Greg’s head buried between her legs. His tongue swirled around her clit, eliciting another belly-clenching tingle in her core, and she forgot all about whether it was a dream or reality.
“Greg,” she moaned. “So close.”
