Page 92 of Morally Corrupt

"I'm governed by a very simple rule of retribution, oran eye for an eye.The only difference is that I pay back those who help me in kind too. Bianca… she may not be normal, but she's the most loyal person you could ever find. Don't let other inconsequential things detract from that."

"You call murder inconsequential?" I add sarcastically.

"In the grand scheme of things? Yes. And if you knew who those she dispatched were, you would see that the world is a better place without them. One thing I can promise you, though, is that she's never, ever, hurt an innocent person."

I think on that and reply, "I think we can agree to disagree."

"I'm disappointed, Hastings. I wouldn't have taken you for a narrow-minded type of fellow."

"Again, I wouldn't call disapproving of murder narrow minded."

"And yet your past says otherwise." I freeze. What does he know?

"What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean." Slowly, his mouth curls upwards. "But alas, I cannot make your decisions for you." He stands, and I can see I'm being dismissed. "You should know though, she's doing the detox for you."

"She should do it for herself, not for me." I stand as well, ready to go.

"It's up to you." Vlad shrugs and says with finality, "I thought you could use a different perspective. My job here is done."

"Just… take care of her."

"Always." He gives me another charming smile before seeing me off.

34

BIANCA

"You're finally awake." I open my eyes to see Vlad staring down at me, his face expressionless.

"How do you feel?" he asks, going to the bathroom and bringing me a wet towel. I take it and wipe my face, feeling the sweat cling to my skin.

"Much better. How long was I out?" He looks at his watch.

"Almost thirty-two hours now."

"You're kidding me." I stare at him, but he just shrugs.

"It's gotta be the sedative. The coke must be out of your system by now, though, so that's good. Although…" He pauses to think. "I'm not letting you out of my sight for another couple of days."

I slowly nod. I remember pieces of my embarrassing outburst, and I cringe.

"I'm sorry about before." Vlad waves his hand as if it's nothing.

"It's not as if I expected you to be a model patient. Your husband visited by the way."

"Theo?" My eyes widen. "You're serious?" He pulls the chair from the desk next to my bed and positions himself in front of me.

"Why? How?"

"I called him."

"And he came?"

"Uhum. He was quite worried about you. Maybe not all is lost…"

"Not all is lost… you mean…"

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