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“Because I know what it is to watch while someone you love is lost to you forever. And because I can.”
She nodded slowly, looking down, her hands fidgeting in her lap. “It’s cancer. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. They can treat it, but the insurance says it’s pre-existing. They won’t pay.”
“That’s some shitty insurance.”
She huffed, nodding. “I don’t disagree.”
“Well, the good news is I happen to be a trustee at a hospital that has an excellent oncology department. I’ll call the head in the morning.”
“You’re very kind.”
“I’m pragmatic and self-interested. You were right about that. Don’t change your mind now.”
She laughed softly. “I haven’t. I still say you have the eyes of a killer. But your heart harbors kindness. It might be selective, but you have not yet managed to beat it all out of you.”
I just gawked at her, at a loss for words. I got to my feet. “I think I’ll try sleeping now. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, Alexei.”
“Goodnight, Ms. Gonzalez.”
“Call me Carmen.”
“Goodnight… Carmen.”
I walked back to the bedroom and sat on the bed. With a sigh, I took off my sweatpants and crawled into bed. Nora was snoring softly, sprawled like a ragdoll all over the bed. I pulled her into me, arranging her so she was the little spoon and closed my eyes.
My mind was racing from my conversation with Carmen. For one thing, she definitely knew or suspected I was Bratva, and she was sick.
I didn’t think Nora was in any shape to hear any more bad news. Maybe I could persuade Carmen to keep her treatment between us for now. I had a feeling it wouldn’t be a hard sell. It was strange to have connected with her so fast. I didn’t normally do that—especially not with nice old church ladies.
My phone beeped, and I turned over to pick it up. There was a text message from Katya, and I clicked it open right away.
Everything dealt with for today. I’m off to bed. Will conduct inspections in the morning. Don’t worry about a thing.
I read it twice, a smile on my face. I really appreciated how much she’d stepped up for me. But once I was done with the hospital, I’d have to see my men. They must be very confused, and confusion is not good for business.
I clicked on reply.
Thanks. But I’ll see you tomorrow.
I put down my phone and wrapped myself around Nora.
Closing my eyes determinedly, I drifted off to sleep.
CHAPTERFORTY-ONE
NORA
Istruggled awake like a drowning person striving towards the surface, trying to escape from the nightmare that had me in its grip. It tried to grab my leg and pull me back down into the dark depths, but I struggled, kicked and finally got away, coming away with a gasp as if I’d truly been deprived of air.
I sat up, looking around my room for reassurance that I was safe and none of it was real. Then I realized that,yes, some of itwasreal, and my stomach dropped. I turned, looking at Alexei, sprawled on his back, his hands under the pillow. I draped myself over him, desperately licking along his neck, trying to distract myself.
He made an inarticulate sound and stirred, stiffening slightly as he felt me atop him before relaxing. “You should be careful, ambushing a man like me like that,” he murmured. “Might take it the wrong way and pop your head off.”
I huffed in laughter, my breath ghosting on his back and making him break out in gooseflesh. I traced his flesh with my hands, and he shrugged me off with a murmur of, “Tickles.”
I licked his back. “Oh, you think that tickles? Just you wait.” I dropped my hands and began to tickle his sides. He squirmed and struggled under me. “Resistance is futile,” I said in my Mega Mind voice.
