AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“These need to come out.” He gently runs a finger underneath the black thread. “I’m sorry,malishka. These should’ve been taken out a couple of days ago.”
“It’s okay. I’m sure Dr. Bianchi can take them out soon.”
Soon isn’t good enough for Matvey, though. He lets out a hum of disapproval at the idea of me waiting a few days and then shakes his head, making it clear he’s made up his mind.
“No, these need to come out now.”
Chapter 16
Matvey
I’m pissed at myself for letting her stitches stay in so long. I don’t want the scarring to be worse or for it to hurt when they’re removed, and I should’ve made damn sure it was taken care of. She sees something on my face that has her leaning in to kiss my cheek.
“I’m fine, Matvey,” she says, giving me a smile to let me know she really is okay. “It’s only been a few days past the two weeks Dr. Bianchi recommended.
I kiss her wrist, feeling the thick thread of the stitches against my lips. Pulling her up, I keep her pressed against me. “They’re coming out now, baby.” Looking at my brothers, I say, “I’m taking her to get these removed. Text me if you hear anything while we’re gone.”
Lev nods at me. “Will do.”
Vitaly laughs. “Is this an excuse to find an empty storage closet? Be subtle, you two.” He points a finger at us. “If you get caught, you’re on your own. We’re not all getting kicked out because you can’t control yourselves.”
“Jesus Christ,” I groan, leading Alina out of the waiting room and away from their laughter. “He’s never going to stop.”
Alina laughs and looks up at me. “No, he won’t, but I still love him.”
“Yeah, me too,” I mutter, making her give a soft laugh as I lead her down the hall. Finn follows at Alina’s heels, head up and alert.
The maternity ward is busy, so we make our way down a few halls while I try to find us a quieter place. I ignore the no-nonsense nurses who speed walk past us. No way in hell will they take a bribe to do an off-the-record procedure. I’m not worried, though. I’ve stitched my brothers up enough to know how this works.
When I find an empty exam room, I wait for the hall to empty before winking at Alina and pulling her in, shutting the door behind us when Finn’s bushy tail is clear of the doorway.
“Matvey, what are you doing?”
I lift her up onto the exam table and kiss the tip of her nose. “I’m removing your stitches.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re not allowed to do that.” She darts a nervous look at the door, and I laugh. After everything we’ve been through and everything we’ve done, she’s still afraid we’re going to get caught for sneaking into an exam room.
“My cute little rule follower.” I run my thumb over the scowl she gives me before turning to look through the drawers behind me. Finding what I need, I grab a pair of latex gloves from the box hanging on the wall and pull them on because I’m not taking any chances with germs.
She eyes the sterile package I open. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
I laugh and pour disinfectant all over her wrist. “Lev’s been doing a lot of underground fighting over the last two years, and he’s been kind enough to come home with split skin so I can practice. I’ve actually gotten pretty good with a needle.”
“Maybe you can cross-stitch us a pillow.”
I laugh and shake my head, happy to see glimpses of her old smartass self. Grabbing the tweezers and scissors from the sterile pack, I carefully get started on the firststitch.
“Let me know if this hurts.”
“Okay,” she whispers, holding her breath and watching as I snip the first black thread and pull it free. Dr. Bianchi did a good job, and the wound is healing nicely, but it’s still going to leave one hell of a scar. My girl did not go easy on herself that night. Memories of seeing her sliced-up wrist run through my mind, and before I pull out the next stitch, I lean down and kiss the palm of her hand. Her fingers run through my hair before I lift back up and keep working, neither one of us saying anything as I make my way around her wrist until all the stitches are out. Her skin is pink and not even close to being fully healed, but it looks better than it did a few minutes ago.
Before I toss everything in the garbage, I spread antibiotic cream over her wrist and bandage it up. I don’t want to risk leaving it open while we’re at the hospital. There’s a lot of germs floating around in here.
“Thanks, Matvey.”
I step between her thighs, cupping her face as I smile down at her. “I’d say anytime, but I really don’t want to ever see you covered in stitches again.”
“Such a big softie,” she teases, grabbing my shirt and pulling me closer.
