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“What’s that?”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, how do I keep forgetting you people don’t do this in Russia? Okay, so the pinky swear is like the holiest of holy swears. Like, it’s so holy that I’m now bound to always tell you what you need to hear in every lifetime, in every realm, in all timelines for all eternity. That’s how holy it is.”
He chuckled, grabbing my pinky with his. “I’ll do the same for you, spider monkey. I’m just not as good at it as you are.”
“Yet. You’re not as good as I am, yet. This is why you should practice, Bubba.”
“I thought I was the trainer in this relationship,” he said, laughing at me.
“You are. Mostly.”
I felt Adrik’s warm hand on my cheek. “Sephie, wake up, love,” he said softly. I could feel Andrei’s arm still around me, holding me firmly so I didn’t move suddenly.
“I fell asleep?” I asked. I could feel the vibration of Andrei laughing at me.
“You’ve been out for a few hours. We just didn’t want to move you. You had a very big morning. I think you wore yourself out,” Andrei said.
I looked to Adrik, who was kneeling in front of me, smiling at me. “You were already sound asleep when I came back to the penthouse. I was only gone for half an hour. Andrei said you’d been asleep for at least fifteen minutes when I got back.” I tried to sit up slowly. Both Adrik and Andrei helped me. I turned around to look at Andrei. “Sorry I kept you trapped here,” I said.
“Don’t apologize. I got a nap too,” he said, his handsome smile stretching across his face.
I couldn’t help but smile back at him. “You needed it. You look better.” He didn’t say anything, just winked at me.
“You need lunch, gazelle. The acupuncturist will be here soon too,” Misha said from the kitchen. As if he was speaking directly to my stomach, she growled loudly. “I heard that. She agrees,” he said, laughing.
“What did you guys find out on your field trip?” I asked, as Adrik and Andrei helped me stand up from the couch. It was easier to stand up on my own from the bed or the chairs in the kitchen. Not so much from the couch yet, which I found frustrating. Once I was standing, Adrik pulled me to him, kissing me softly.
“The café we picked is a good spot. It’s close to his apartment, which will make Misha happy. It’s easy to cover, which will make me happy. And there’s plenty of places you guys can park to watch what’s going on, which will make Viktor happy,” Stephen said.
“Everyone’s happy then. I like this,” I said. “Well, maybe except Chen. He’s probably still going to be nervous. Poor guy.” I motioned for Viktor to hand over his computer. “I’ll get started replying now. It’ll be done by next week.”
Ivan, who had gone down to grab the food when it arrived, walked back into the penthouse. “Princess, you’re awake now. Good. We got you stuff while we were out too,” he said, setting the food down on the island.
“Got me what stuff?” I asked, sitting gingerly in one of the chairs.
Adrik leaned down and kissed my temple. “I had them get you warmer clothes while they were out. You’re always freezing right now. Andrei was right, you’re even colder when you’re hurt.”
“You did? Really?” I asked. I was completely stunned. They all noticed the look on my face, which was clearly amusing for them all given the grins on their faces.
Adrik chuckled. “I know how much you hate buying clothes for yourself, but you need more than just my sweatshirts to keep you warm right now. I don’t like that you’re always so cold.”
Ivan held up one of the shirts they’d picked up. “We’re still going to have to cut the sleeve off because there’s no way this is fitting over that,” he said, pointing to my cast. “But it’s thermal so it’ll keep you warmer than you are now. Which will probably mean you’re going to sleep more,” he said, grinning at me.
“That’s just what I need,” I said, rolling my eyes. Adrik clicked his tongue at me. “It is exactly what you need, solnishko. You need time to heal. I say so.” I felt the pull in my chest that meant he was thinking about how much he loved me. He was trying to look at me sternly, but he was failing miserably at it. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Come here,” I said, pulling him toward me so I could kiss him. “Thank you,” I said, against his lips. “And thank all of you for always taking care of me,” I said to the guys.
“You mean the same way you always take care of all of us?” Andrei said.
The acupuncture was easier for me to get through, which usually meant that I was getting closer to not needing it as frequently. It still gave me much-needed relief, so I was happy to have it daily for a little longer. Adrik and Ivan had helped me lie down, but then they left me alone since I wasn’t quite as painful. Taking my arm out of the sling wasn’t nearly as debilitating as it had been the first day. It still wasn’t pleasant, but I could manage.
“One of the others just discovered he’s like you, didn’t he?” the acupuncturist asked quietly as she was sticking needles over my body.
“Like me how? Like his observation skills?”
“Those, yes. But there’s more. He’ll come to find he knows things before they happen. He just doesn’t believe it fully yet. His soul knows already,” she said.
“I stole your line and used it on him earlier. He just saved someone’s life last night because he listened to his gut instinct.”
“Like you, he’s very wise. But he’s young compared to you. He doesn’t trust himself yet. That’s what you’re here to help him with.”
