Page 229 of Toxic Kiss

I realize that he’s hurt and feels guilty. Haven really is rubbing off on me because that is not something I normally pick up on.

“I would tell you all if I had something serious going on,” Vex says.

“You mean what is naturally wrong with you is not a serious illness,” I tease back.

As the others laugh, I take Vex by surprise and grab him. I pull him into a bear hug and hold him tight. Shockingly, he hugs me back.

“I’m sorry. I was scared and embarrassed. I just wanted to be okay, and talking about it made it far too real,” I say, but he doesn’t let go.

When we finally pull back, there is real, raw emotion in his eyes. Vex pokes me in the chest.

“From now on, you fucking keep us in the loop. We always have each other’s motherfucking back. Got it?”

“Yeah, I got it.”

We sit back down, and I pull out a slice of pizza. It’s cold, but still tasty. I take a bite just as my phone rings.

Dr. Stevens. My heart skips in my chest. This is it, I’ll either have a new diagnosis, or we start all over again.

“Answer it for fuck’s sake,” Ash grumbles through a mouthful of food.

“Can someone go get Haven? She needs to be here for this.”

Eren jumps up and jogs out of the room.

Standing, I answer the phone.

“Dr. Stevens, you have an answer for me?”

“Hi there, Cyrus, you were correct. You have systemic lupus erythematosus.”

I almost drop to my knees with relief. A real fucking answer…the knowledge slams into my chest. Fucking finally.

Dr. Stevens continues, “I want to schedule an appointment to go over your treatment plan and answer any questions. Please stop taking all of your prescribed medications except for the one for pain management. Can you come in tomorrow for a one o’clock appointment?”

“I’ll be there.”

“Good, I have you booked. See you tomorrow, Cyrus.”

A slow smile spreads across my face as I hang up and turn back to the guys.

“Haven was right,” I say, still not believing it.

The war is just starting, but I finally know what I’m fighting. No more swinging blindly in the dark.

Ledger matches my smile and points down the hall with his thumb.

“Go.”

“Save me some pizza,” I yell, then jog away.

I’m near the entryway when Haven and Eren round the corner, and a smile spreads across my face. Then there’s a sharp knock at the door. I’m tempted to ignore it. Everyone I care about is in this penthouse, but the loud laughter from the kitchen means no one else heard. The knock comes again, more insistent this time.

Shit.

The personal security detail must be reinstated ASAP.

I check the peephole and regret not following my instinct to ignore the knocking.