"Better? The meds should’ve kicked in by now."
I nod. "Thank you so much."
"Of course," she says, getting to her feet. "We’re sisters. I do have to go, but I’m going to leave very specific instructions for him."
My heart sinks.
I don’t want her to go.
I like her here.
She sees the look on my face and smiles.
"I promise you, he’s got this. And I’m giving you my phone number so you can text me. I happen to have an in with his boss."
She’s teasing, but there’s a serious edge to it, I know.
"Thank you."
It seems like too little, and yet something passes between us.
“And you owe me nothing. Just keep coming to the family dinners. As I keep telling the other girls, we need more women in this family."
She pauses, tilting her head. "Oh, and don’t be afraid of my husband." She stands and smiles. "He really is a bit of a softy."
She leaves, and as the door clicks shut behind her, Matvei looks at me. "That’s actually not true."
That makes me smile.
"I’ll be right back. I have to talk to her. Here. “I downloaded some games and shows for you. You’re staying in bed today. Polina says it’ll help. And there’s a book too."
He hands me a ridiculously large tablet and a book.
I stare. It’sThe Best of Poe.
My throat tightens.
I raise an eyebrow. "I don’t stay in bed all day."
A look crosses his face, and his voice drops. "You do if I tell you that you are."
I smirk. "If you start bossing me around, I’m gonna text Polina. She said she has an in with your boss."
His eyes darken, amused. "Go ahead. Text her. And if you get out of this bed, I’ll spank your ass. Not now. But I have an excellent memory."
I stick my tongue out at him like a child.
He smiles, shaking his head. “That’s one. Keep it up.”
The door shuts behind him.
It still hurts, but not as much.
It’s better than it has been in a long time.
I wonder what medicine she gave me.
I hear them talking on the other side of the door, and a part of me wonders—if I hadn’t run… none of this would’ve happened. I would’ve been forced to marry Rafail.
