Page 151 of Lethal King

“She’s at the hospital,” Tytus says, before quickly adding, “Don’t worry, she’s doing alright. Just had a little scare. When I came by to check up on her yesterday, she was on the floor, right by your feet. Says she got a little lightheaded. The doctors are doing some tests.”

The sad daze returns.

“I wasn’t here…” I whisper, bowing my head.

“You were busy.”

“Take me to her,” I say, forcing my chin back up.

“Of course.”

“Now.”

“Let’s go then,” Tytus chuckles. “You’ve already done what I came by to do.”

Grabbing the empty tuna can, Tytus washes it off in the sink, then tosses it in the garbage.

“I’ll come back tomorrow to give her more,” he starts, but I stop him.

“No. She’s coming with us,” I insist, picking up the kitten. Surprisingly, Kaja doesn’t fight back. “Who knows what will happen between now and then. The last thing I need to worry about is Kaja starving to death because no one is here to look after her.”

“Where are you going to take her?”

“To the hospital.”

“I don’t think they allow pets, Roz.”

Gesturing down to my gun, I hold Kaja tightly against my chest. “Let’s see if they won’t reconsider that policy.”

“You’re the boss,” Tytus shrugs, before pursing his lips. “But I have to warn you… she’s not alone.”

19

Rozalia

“Where is he?”

When I charge into the hospital room, it’s with my fists raised, ready for a fight.

But Drago isn’t there.

Instead, I only see kindly old Babcia. She’s propped up on a hospital bed, a half dozen tubes winding around her poor little body.

For a moment, my fury flickers. Guilt and grief swirl inside of me as I approach the fragile grandmother. She’s asleep.

At my back, I hear Tytus wander in. He closes the door behind him—Kaja meows from in his arms.

“Where is he?” I whisper, my voice shivering.

My anger returns with a vengeance. And by the time I turn back around, I must be seething, because Kaja jumps at the sight of me, squirming out of Tytus’ grip.

“Don’t go far,” he tells the cat, as if it would listen.

Not that there’s anywhere to go. This little room might as well be a prison cell. Kaja makes a beeline for Babcia’s bed. Racing past me, she jumps up on the side table to check on her housemate.

“You said Drago was here,” I remind Tytus, not sure if I’m more pissed that he’s not than I would be if he were.

Either way, I still feel ready to confront my adoptive father, even after seeing Babcia like this. Hell, I spent the whole trip here practicing what I’d say, how I’d hit him, how I’d refuse to forgive his actions.