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That notebook was his. He’s suffered through everything on that list. I wish I still had it. I could read everything else he wrote in there and maybe get a better idea of what he’s been through. Whoever caused him this much hurt deserves the same in return.
The bedroom door unlocks, and I turn my face away. If it’s Mikhail, I don’t want to see him. I need more time to get him out of my head. I need to remember how much I can’t stand him.
“It’s been two days, Sloane. You need to eat.”
The second I hear Max’s voice, I turn to look at him. He’s come by six times each day, helping me with my shots and telling me to eat. But I can’t. I don’t have the stomach for it anymore. My body’s begging for nutrition, but the mere thought of food in my mouth makes me sick. I’m just tired of fighting.
He walks to the end of the bed and places down a tray.
“I’m not hungry,” I tell him for what feels like the hundredth time.
“Mikhail is getting frustrated with you.”
“What’s new?”
“What is your favorite food?” he asks.
“Max, I just don’t want to eat right now.” I take a deep breath. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to snap at you. I just can’t seem to figure something out.”
He smiles softly and sits on the edge of the bed. “Maybe I can help.”
“I don’t think you can,” I tell him as I massage my neck. “I just don’t understand why I’m here. I don’t want to get you in trouble, but if you know anything, please tell me.”
“Do you know a man named Giovanni?”
My eyes fly to his, and I hold back a smile. “I’ve heard the name, but I have no idea who he is.”
He nods but doesn’t give me an answer. “Have you heard of the Suits?”
“No.”
He scratches his arm and leans in closer to me. He almost looks disappointed in me for not having a clue about his meaning. “What I can tell you is that Mikhail has been different since you arrived. He’s less ...cold.”
I laugh, unable to control myself. “Less cold? The man has it out for me.”
“That’s because of your smart mouth, doll. Mikhail is the most considerate man I know. You just haven’t given him a chance to show that part of him.” He pauses and shakes his head. “I’m not saying he’s perfect. He is easily triggered due to the abuse of his blood father, I guess ... I guess you just have to warm up to him.”
I watch him question his own words, but he nods once he’s finished speaking. I can tell there’s more he wanted to say, but he held back. Maybe he wants me to find out for myself.But do I even want to give Mikhail a chance?
“So you’re telling me I need to be quiet around him?” I don’t think I could be even if I tried. He says things that just piss me off.
He licks his lips. “Nah, I think he actually likes how you fight him. I’m not sure. You two have a strange dynamic, but maybe you could start with not trying to run away.” His cheeks turn rosy and small dimples form in the centers. His deep chuckle fills the room, and I can’t help but laugh with him. It’s the first genuine smile I’ve felt in a while.
He clears his throat and says, “He asks about you every day. Lev calls him weak because of this. And don’t take that lightly. It should mean a lot when his men talk about him like that and he doesn’t mind.”
Are we even talking about the same person? None of this sounds anything like Mikhail.
“Thank you for making me smile,” I say, diverting the conversation.
“Don’t mention it, sweetheart. Will you eat now? Mikhail has mentioned a feeding tube once or twice, and I’m starting to think it’s not a joke anymore.” He laughs faintly.
“I don’t want a feeding tube, but I can’t. I still don’t feel great.”
“I wish there was more I could do to help you, Sloane.”
I shrug my shoulders before he slowly hands me a velvet box. “He wants you to wear this from now on.”
Leaning my weight off the headboard, I open it to find a silver necklace that looks like the North Star. “Why?” I ask.
