Page 96 of Reclaimed By My Ex’s Bratva Brother

"The doctor would keep me in bed for the rest of my life if he could." She turned around, the dress swaying against her slender calves.

"My friends have been asking me out for weeks," she said. "If I keep refusing, they'll think I'm dying."

My mouth tightened.

"Don't joke about that."

"Okay, no jokes. Just a little while at the beach. I won't swim. Won't drink. You can have the driver take me. Hell, send your bodyguards too." Brinny paused, then smiled at me.

She made it sound easy, like the accident a few days ago was already ancient history. I could still see her thrashing in the water. Still see her limp in my arms. Still see that bloodless face when I pulled her onto the platform.

Twenty-some years ago, I'd watched her first heart attack at a party. She'd collapsed by the table, glass shattering everywhere. I'd picked her up, discovered for the first time how a person could weigh almost nothing. Since then, protecting her had become reflex.

"Fine," I said.

Brinny's smile deepened.

"You're coming with me."

"I have work."

"Right. You always do." She studied me, searching for something in my face. Finally looked away.

She grabbed her purse, walked to the door, then turned back.

"See you later, Varlam."

I nodded once. The door closed behind her.

The room went silent. No trace of her perfume. No laughter from her friends on the phone. Just the slow tick of the wall clock. I should leave. Gleb had already sent the day's documents to my inbox. Two meetings waiting at the office.

But I didn't move. Another face filled my mind. Wet blonde hair. Brown eyes. Briony.

I'd seen her in the ambulance, lying on another stretcher under a thermal blanket. I'd glanced at her once, confirmed she was alive, then returned my attention to Brinny.

Briony was strong. At least in my memory, she'd always been full of fight. A woman like that shouldn't be taken down by falling in the water.

That conclusion had seemed reasonable then. Now it sounded like a cheap excuse.

I grabbed my coat and left the room. I remembered Briony's room number—hadn't realized it was directly across from Brinny's.

I pushed the door open. Empty bed. Sheets folded neatly. Nothing on the nightstand. My chest constricted.

"Where's the patient from this room?" A nurse passed in the hallway. I stopped her.

She glanced at the door.

"You mean Miss Cox? She's been discharged."

"When?" I stared at her.

The nurse flinched at my tone.

"I'm her employer. She got hurt at a company event. I need to know she's safe." I softened my voice.

It was true. Just missing some parts.

"Couple days ago. She recovered well enough, insisted on leaving early." The nurse relaxed slightly.