“Is there anything I can bring you to make this easier? Aside from Rosalie and Alessandro?”
He was quiet for a moment. “I’d like a laptop. Or notebook and pencils. I want to write again. Can I have those things? Or some books? I want to read too.”
“Yes. I will ensure you have those things the next time I visit. Or when Matteo visits.”
“Thanks,” he said, settling back against his pillows. He winced.
I grabbed the pain medication from his table and offered him a pill. He stared at it for a moment before taking it and dropping it into his mouth. I handed him a bottle of water to wash it down with.
“Do you want anything else? I can bring you some takeout. You’re barely eating.” I stared at him.
He looked away from me, shielding me from seeing the bad eye he knew he had. He was very sensitive about that side of his face. Scarred. Still healing. His eye was a milky white now instead of the brilliant blue it had once been.
“I’m OK,” he murmured, closing his eyes.
I knew the pill would put him out. I took note of the tear trickling down his cheek.
“Can you bring me some sunglasses?” he whispered. “So I-I can feel better? I can’t stand you seeing me like this. Or anyone.”
“Yes,” I replied gently. “I will bring you some.”
I got to my feet and went to the door.
“Alessio?”
“Yes?” I turned back to him.
He licked his lips, his jaw trembling. “Can you take the mirrors with you? Please? I don’t want to see myself.”
I paused for a moment before nodding. “Of course.”
I went into his bathroom and removed the small mirror over the sink, then grabbed the decorative one on the wall in his living room. I went to leave again, the mirrors tucked under my arm.
“Thank you,” Evan said groggily, his words beginning to slur from the potency of the pill.
“You’re welcome,” I replied softly before opening the door and leaving him behind.
This was a whole other mess I didn’t like to think about. It was Matteo’s mess, and I was just along for the ride.
I drank deeplyas I sat in our VIP booth at Blades. It was a night off, but it really wasn’t.
“Yes or no?” I asked, nodding to the female who kept eyeing Matteo.
“No,” he said before taking a drink from his glass.
“Klaus?” I asked.
He looked in her direction, and that was all it took. She sauntered over to us, a coy smile on her face. We were used to this type of woman. They only wanted one thing: a free ride. But that had many meanings. Dick, money, a way out, or even a way in.
“Hi,” she said in a breathy voice.
I glanced at my brothers and raised an eyebrow. For some reason, women were always drawn to Klaus. It had to be his pretty blue eyes and his supermodel hair. At least, that’s what Teo and I teased him about.
Matteo looked away, uninterested.
“I’m Kayla,” she continued. “Are you… Matteo De Santis?”
“Why are you here?” Matteo demanded, looking at her.
