Page 95 of Let Me Love You

“You’re hurt.”

He shakes his head. “It’s just a graze.”

No matter how badly I want to rush to his side, I hold back. Lana’s lost eyes demand attention, so I push to my feet and help her up. Her gaze doesn’t seem to focus, so I wrap her arm around my waist. I wince at the contact.

Victor’s eyebrows knit with concern. “Did he do something to you?”

Only slaps to the face and pushing me to the ground, but I don’t say that. I don’t want to bring more problems to the table. Paul’s lifeless eyes pop into my mind again, and my stomach curls. “I’m fine.”

Once all the commotion has died down and everyone gives statements about what happened and Paul’s death—including the surveillance video evidence that Paul was killed in self-defense—Victor and I lead Lana back into her apartment.

Victor doesn’t say a word as he guides us inside. Warmth envelops me as we enter her apartment. With everything that happened, I didn’t feel the chilliness at all, until now.

We help Lana to her bedroom. If not for her … I’m not sure what would’ve happened. Victor and Elias might’ve been too late.

“You can stay here tonight if you want,” she whispers.

If there’s one thing I don’t want, it’s to go back to my condo tonight—not after everything. And I’m sure she’s terrified. She’ll need someone to keep the nightmares away after everything she just witnessed.

I nod and turn off her light, heading back out to the small living room.

Thank God her mother isn’t home or else she might’ve been dragged into my mess, too.

Victor is quiet for a moment, and just when I think he isn’t going to say anything else, he says, “I was so scared.”

His words are full of vulnerability, but I can’t give in to the urge to comfort him. The more touching, the harder this will be.

“I thought I had lost you.”

If only he knew … I am gone, just not in the way he’s saying. My chest tightens so much I almost feel like I can’t breathe. Summer and Victor still have an incredible bond, and I’m about to shatter it into a million pieces. But I finally have the answer to his question about dating for real. “Victor—”

I cut my words off when his pained eyes look down at me. “Please, don’t. Not yet.”

I let out a strangled sob. He knows.

Chapter 41

Serenity

Not caring how I look, I sprawl out on Lana’s sofa as Victor disappears into the kitchen. My muscles feel like they weigh five hundred pounds.

Within a minute, Victor returns with a glass of water. He lingers for a moment before offering it to me. I can’t stop the small smile that curves my lips. I have no doubt he thought about putting the cup to my lips but decided against it.

He doesn’t say anything as he turns and heads back into the kitchen.

I take a sip. The coldness goes down my throat, and I suddenly need more. I drink the rest of it and place the cup on the coffee table. Laying back again, I drape my arm over my forehead. My head is pounding like someone is using a jack hammer on it.

After about ten more minutes, I’m almost asleep, but Victor reemerges carrying a wooden tray. I force myself upright, and he places it on my lap. I take it all in. A homemade yogurt parfait with granola and cut up strawberries rests on the side, and a plate of scrambled eggs and toast sits in the center. My heart flip-flops inside my chest. Victor, a billionaire who never had to cook his own food, made me a meal. It sounds like the bare minimum but in billionaire speak …

I place the tray down and grab hold of his hand. Touching his skin is a mistake, but this might be the last time I get to touch him, so I soak it up and release him.

Stand strong.

“Is something wrong with the food? That YouTube tutorial said no one could mess it up.” A frown tips his lips down, and I itch to put a smile back. “But I guess they didn’t take someone like me into account.”

No matter how hungry I am, I need to talk to him first before I chicken out.

“Please, stop,” I say, my mouth dry. Even after the water, I’m still parched. “I need to tell you something.”