And she still didn’t understand why he was doing any of this.
If this was guilt—she didn’t need it.
Nina exhaled and looked at him again.
At his controlled posture.
At his clenched fists.
At the way he carefully avoided lingering on her face.
He was worried. She could see it. Feel it. She just didn’t understand why.
“You’re not the person I wanted to see first after rising from the dead,” she said with a weak half-smile, trying to deflect, to ease the tension.
Jasper didn’t smile back. His facewent grave.
“But I wasn’t the first,” he said.“I saw Frank. He was leaving your room.”
Nina stiffened. Her heart picked up speed, her lips pressing into a thin line.
“Why did he come?” Jasper continued. There was anger in his voice—and she understood why. Frank had ordered the attack on him not long ago.
Nina let out a sharp breath, barely holding back her irritation.
“Probably hoping I wouldn’t make it,” she said bitterly.“And was disappointed to see me alive. My death would’ve made his life a lot easier.”
Jasper was silent for a few seconds. Then he said calmly, clearly,
“I’m assigning security outside your room, twenty-four seven.Access will be limited to vetted staff only.”
Nina blinked, not immediately processing what he’d said.
“What?.. Why?”
“Until we know the full details of the accident, it’s better not to let our guard down.”
She looked away. She already knew he was right. Tanya Graves had resurfaced and agreed to cooperate—and the next day, the accident. And Frank had shown up immediately, displeased, making thinly veiled comments.
“Jasper…” Nina began quietly.
He raised a hand, stopping her.
“This is Nolan’s call,” he said.“Not mine. Rest. Don’t overdo it.”
She closed her eyes for a couple of seconds.
“Fine,” she said dully.“Thank you.”
“I’ll check on you later,” Jasper said after lingering a moment longer. Then he left, shutting the door behind him.
Nina lay there, staring at the ceiling, when Jasper came back again.
He looked grim. Focused. Something was off. He stepped up to the bed but didn’t sit down like before—just stood there, looking down at her.
She’d been here a week now and still couldn’t figure out whether his presence irritated her… or soothed her.
He brought food, even though the hospital meals were decent. Every morning he showed up with a thermos of homemade food. She didn’t know who cooked it. Nina liked to imagine it was Lynn.
