Page 221 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

Anyway, I didn’t care enough about the two’s weird greetings.

I only cared what happened after my doctor told Briar everything about my heart issues. I couldn't answer his questions because I was sort of out of it when I arrived. Briar did it for me. My heart couldn’t take whatever excitement I had experienced the past few days, and it wasn’t keeping up with my body.

I’ll never forget how pale and scared Briar got when he explained my condition.

“What happens if his heart gives out?” Briar had asked him. “What can we do to prevent that from happening? Can he get a new heart if it’s that bad?”

“He’s on the list for when a new heart is available.”

“If he does get a heart transplant, will he live normally?”

“I can’t guarantee anything, ma’am. If he does get one, he’ll just have to take care of this heart like he does with his current one. Possibly with more care.”

“But he will live?”

“He’s young, so if the surgery is successful, I don’t see any complications. Again, I can’t guarantee—”

“Listen, man. I will fucking pay you top shit, cold, hard, clean, crisp dollar bills if you fucking promise me my angel will live forever.”

“I…uh…”

I grabbed her wrist because I didn’t like her shaking hands.

“It’s okay,” I told her. “I’m fine.”

I hated using that word. I’m not fine. We both know it. But she just nodded back and kissed me, letting my doctor finally leave.

That was hours ago. I look at my watch and see it’s already seven a.m. She has stayed awake since we arrived.

“Baby,” I whisper. “Why don’t you go home and rest?” I trail off when I see the look of anger and hurt splashing on her face. “Briar, I don’t mean I don't want you here. You look exhausted. Please go home and sleep."

“But I want to stay here with you,” Briar shakes her head, face set with fierce determination. “Don’t fucking force me to leave when you refused to leave my side, Rurik.”

Okay, fair.

“Besides,” She adds. “I bribed your doctor to let you go home early. He said your heart is ‘normal’ again and gave you some new meds. Why didn’t you tell me? I never see you take them.”

“I sometimes forget to pack them,” I mutter, embarrassed.

Her eyes narrow, and a flash of irritation colors her cheeks. “Luckily, he gave me refills to pick up at the pharmacy. From now on, you fucking take them when required, understand?”

“Okay, mother.” I roll my eyes, yelping when she pinches my side. “Ouch! Okay, fuck. I’ll take whatever the doctor orders.”

She snaps, “Rurik, if you die on me, I will bring you back to life so that I can yell the shit out of you. Then, I’ll kill you again for leaving me in the first place.”

“You’re so violent, Briar,” I say, poking her nose. “Crazy and violent, two things that turn me on about you.”

Her face flushes red as her eyes fill with unbridled lust.

And there goes my fucking dick twitching again.

*-*-*-*

“Any news about the attacker?” I ask Briar. It’s been a week since her attack, and I’m surprised we haven’t heard anything from Drake about the culprit.

Briar and I are back in the park, this time with me super close to her and keeping an eye on our surroundings in case another asshole decides to pop out of nowhere.

She’s silent, looking straight ahead.

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