Page 63 of Bleed with Me

“You’re quiet, sweetheart,” she said in a hushed voice.

Zyon and Malin were engrossed in some deal with the new company that should start working on Zyon’s entertainment complex soon, so they didn’t pay attention to us.

“I have nothing to add to the conversation.” I nodded toward Zyon’s frowning face as he showed Malin the numbers. “I’m out.”

“Do you want to be out?” she asked, her almost black eyes scanning my face with love only a mother could express with one look.

“Yes,” I confirmed, a tiny smile forming on my lips. “I’m happy I don’t have to schedule meetings, arrange takeouts, and live on pins and needles waiting for the king to call.”

My grin widened when she grimaced as if she tasted something spoiled. She was never a fan of Malin and me working under our brother. According to her, we were equal in every way, but it didn’t work in the mafia world. There could only be one boss. Our dad taught us that ages ago, and we respected it.

“I don’t like it.” She scowled on the other side of the table, her eyes narrowing when Zyon chuckled at something Malin pointed out.

“It’s okay, Mom.” I winked at her. “I can join them whenever I want. Zyon just assigned my responsibilities to someone else, so I wouldn’t be bothered at work with calls and messages. But I’m still in charge of Valeria’s birthday party.”

“You?” Mom cast me a quizzical look. “Zyon doesn’t know how to call a catering company?”

“It’s my area of expertise,” I claimed proudly, briefly checking the message from Melody about Aryna’s scans. They came back perfectly clean. “You know my parties are unforgettable.”

“Yeah, the last one was literally destructive,” she deadpanned, pouring herself water. “I would gladly pass that experience.”

“One misstep and everyone forgets my achievements and sacrifices for this family.” I sighed theatrically, raising my glass with juice. I was on call tonight. If there was an emergency, I had to go to the hospital, so alcohol was off-limits. But hell, I would welcome some expensive scotch to burn the image of ma vilaine from my brain.

Mom rolled her eyes at me, attempting to comment on my statement, but Valeria’s sudden appearance at the doorway interrupted her. A smile lifted my lips, yet it quickly faded when I noticed how pale she was. My brows furrowed as I checked her from head to toe.

She wore Zyon’s oversized black hoodie and simple black leggings. Against the dark fabric, her skin looked almost translucent, and the shadows beneath her eyes stood out even more. She smiled politely, pushing her hair behind her ears, and approached an empty seat, but wavered, and only Zyon’s quick reaction prevented her from falling.

I was on my feet in a millisecond, hurrying to her side. The doctor was prepared to tend to her immediately.

“I’m okay, Dorian,” she said weakly, a deep exhale slipping past her lips. “Zyon took me for dinner yesterday, and the salmon almost killed me.” She peeked at my brother, who looked like he was ready to extinguish the entire species for daring to hurt his wife. “I’m actually much better than a few hours ago.”

“Hard to believe,” Malin mumbled, scowling at her over his glass of whiskey. Zyon flashed him a murderous glare before crouching at her side and taking her hand.

“The doctor said it’s food poisoning,” he explained to our worried mother and me, ignoring Malin’s mumbling about the hospital.

“Why didn’t you call me, Zyon?” I rumbled, observing her from all angles. She was bloated, and drops of sweat beaded on her temples. “She could be dehydrated. Has she vomited? And why isn’t she in bed?”

“I’m right here, Doc.” She touched my hand, her cold skin forcing my attention to her.

“So?” I lifted a brow, expecting answers while checking her pulse on her right wrist.

“I came to say hi.” She shrugged, smiling softly. “And I’m okay, really. Zyon already freaked out. Please, don’t follow his example.”

My eyes narrowed, and I was about to protest that fish poisoning could be really dangerous, but Mom decided to take her side.

“Let’s get you to bed, Valeria.” She took her hand and helped her stand up. “You’ll rest, and if you don’t feel better by tomorrow morning, Zyon will drive you to the hospital, right?”

Valeria quickly nodded, using the opportunity to escape my fussing. I glared at Zyon, who just shook his head in resignation, glancing at their backs.

“Where is Zara, by the way?” Mom asked on their way out, nonchalantly ignoring three sets of dark eyes piercing their skulls.

“Sleepover at her friend’s house,” Valeria replied, walking slowly through the open space into the living room.

“That’s lovely,” Mom exclaimed, shooting us a deadly glare before they disappeared around the corner.

“What was that look about?” I inquired because I was obviously the only one who didn’t know what it meant.

“His Highness is too overprotective,” Malin replied instead of Zyon, shrugging when I cast him a confused glance. “Not my words. Valeria told Mom that it’s suffocating.”