Page 6 of The Stalking King

“The truth, Ms. Jackson?”

“Amira, please. And yes, the truth. Always!”

“I think I’m just prickly.”

“The best people are,” she says with a smile.

It comes from my mother and Evan. Evan’s gone, Dad was never in the picture, and now Mom isn’t a parent anymore. She feels like a patient.

Every so often throughout the day I think about how close Maksim’s body was to mine when that patient was wheeled behind us. It wouldn’t have taken much to lean forward the rest of the way, to feel his firm muscles pressing against me and…

And what? He’s a dark, mysterious stranger. Nothing more. And anyway, all this tension is probably in my head.

I call Mom on my break.

“Oh, Liora,” she murmurs, as if we haven’t spoken in years. It’s been less than twelve hours. “My sweet, sweet child…”

“Have you eaten yet?” I ask. It’s two PM.

“What would I eat?” she asks listlessly.

I suppress a groan. I love my mother more than anything. She’s the only family I’ve got left. But ever since Evan, it’s like I’m the parent. When do I get to let go? Lean on someone else? Properly grieve?

“I dropped some groceries by last night, remember?” I say. “You should make an omelet or something. Your omelets were always the best.”

“Were,” she murmurs. “Hmm.”

“Are,” I correct. “Come on, Mom. For me? Make yourself a nice omelet, have a shower, then text me to let me know you’re done. Can you please do that?”

She sighs. “I’ll try.”

“Thank you. That’s all I ask.”

Then… it’s back to the grind.

I’m nearing the end of my shift when I spot Joel and Maksim out front of the hospital. I’m in a patient’s room, looking through the window. Joel waves his hand. Maksim stares at him coldly. He’s one of the few men I’ve ever seen who look down at Joel.

I rush outside, heart pounding. I tell myself this is proof I need to switch off all these silly, out-of-place emotions.

“What’s going on?” I demand.

Maksim turns to me. His expression changes immediately, going from a scowl to something lighter. But then it vanishes and I wonder if I’ve imagined it. Do I even care? Do I want to make him smile?

“I’m starting to think the nurses do more security than the security guards,” he says smoothly.

“Don’t be cruel,” I snap. “I’m… invested in this situation.”

“Why’s that?” Maksim asks.

I’m not going to tell him about my brother. Or the fact that Joel is just a tiny bit dim. He’s an incredible person. Kind, caring, and reliable. But he’s not built for these sorts of bizarre situations.

“What’s going on? Don’t make me ask again.”

Joel shifts awkwardly beside Maksim. He fidgets with his wedding ring. He looks nervous.

“My phone seems to have disappeared,” Maksim says.

I gasp. “What? How?”