Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Not tonight,” I respond, doing my best to be gentle. The last thing I want is to hurt her feelings. “I love you, but right now, I just need some time alone.”
“Emilia, you need someone with you,” she argues.
“I have Vic and Niko’s bodyguards. I will be fine. I have a lot I need to work through.”
I don’t say anything else, but when Zoe reaches out to hold my hands with hers, I plead with her silently to understand. We used to be in sync to the point she could read my facial expressions and just know what I need, and I could do the same with her. I’m praying she does now. I know I’m risking hurting her, but I can’t afford to stop now. I have a job to do. I can’t falter.
Callan comes up behind Zoe and hugs her. My heart contracts. I hurt for me, but I’m so happy for my friend because it’s easy to see the love between the two of them. Callan even manages a smile. He’s grieving for Niko, but having Zoe is helping him to cope. Once again, the loss of Niko nearly drowns me.
“Have you checked this place out, Zoe? It’s a fortress. Emilia will be good, sweetheart.”
Thank you, Callan.
“Fine, but I will see you tonight, okay? Zoe murmurs. “And if you need anything—anything at all…”
They’re coming to the private viewing tonight with Zoe’s father. I wouldn’t have felt right if they weren’t there. Still, Zoe’s not stupid I will have to be careful and pray that she doesn’t realize I’m planning something by the way I interact with Antonio. If she does, she’ll never let it drop. I must keep her in the dark for now.
I just have to.
I nod, tears trying to slide from my eyes because I hate not leaning on Zoe. I love her so much. I hope she can forgive me. Zoe wraps her arms around me, and we hug. I squeeze her closely. “I love you,” I whisper near her ear.
“Whatever is going on, we are going to discuss this,” she whispers back letting me know she’s seen more than I imagined.
“Deal,” I breathe. I give Zoe a hug and we hold each other tightly. I give her one last smile and then watch them walk away, resisting the urge to sink to the floor and let sadness claim me.
Instead, I look down at the gold wedding band on my ring finger. I’m a married woman…
Married to a man that may never come back to me.
CHAPTER 40
Niko
I keep fighting. I can’t hear voices this time. There are just noises. Machinery? I can’t be sure. The sounds do feel closer now. The darkness seems less threatening, too. I strain to listen because I want to hear Emilia’s voice. She sounds so sad. That’s not like her. She’s always so full of life and energy. I promised Maxwell I’d make her happy. He’ll be upset with me if she cries. That would mean I’m failing her.
Fuck, why can’t I open my eyes.
I smell a scent in the air. It’s wrong. It’s not Emilia. This scent is nothing like hers. It’s not inviting at all. It reminds me of pine trees. It’s wrong. Christ is there someone in here with her? I try to open my mouth, but I can’t make my voice work. I manage to move my lips, though. I’m sure of that.
“He’s moving. We need to call Dr. Monroe.”
“Where? I didn’t see it.”
“He opened his mouth. I’m going to call the doctor. You watch him for any more signs.”
I frown. The voices are women. Why are they here and not Emilia? They see me moving. I feel my heart beating harder, excited because I know I’m pulling myself out of this. I don’t understand what is going on, but I know the fact they can see me move is good. That’s more than has ever happened before.
An alarm starts to ring and it’s loud and shrill. My head is throbbing, and I try to shake it, wanting the alarm turned off.
“It’s okay Mr. Petrova. It’s going to be fine. Listen to my voice and try to remain calm. You’re doing amazing. You will be just fine. You’re fighting and have healed up amazingly well, despite having been shot.”
Shot?
“The doctor was having dinner. Mr. DeLuca’s men will have him here shortly. How’s he doing?”
“His pulse spiked but I got him to calm. I told him he’s healing great and doing good despite being shot.”
“Why would you mention that?”
“Mention what?”
“Him being shot. You don’t want a patient to remember trauma until they’re out, or at least I don’t think so.”
“I don’t know. I’ve never really dealt with a patient in a coma before.”
“Same. I was just thinking it’d be better if we don’t mention the fact he was shot or his friend… you know.”