Page 91 of Psychological War

“How long has it been?” I asked. My voice was raspier than it had been before, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. The silence should’ve told me, but I still needed to know.

“Three months.” Zane pressed his lips to the top of my head.

I sucked in a breath not expecting that answer. I had been in a coma a few times before, but usually only for a few days.

“Alright, I’m going to grab some nurses and we’re going to start running some tests.”

***

For the next few weeks, I had tests done repeatedly. Relearning to walk was a bitch. I had to relearn how to do a lot of physical things. Thankfully, after three weeks I was moved to a physical therapy center. Zane stayed with me the whole time. Mila brought Tobias almost every day. Dimitri always stayed by the door when they visited. Aziza and Killian showed up the first few weeks.

“Alright, Salem, let’s get you up and moving. Let’s see if we can get you moved back home soon.”

Nodding my agreement for that, I carefully swung my legs off the side of the bed. Zane stood but kept close to my side, and Dimitri walked over next to him. Michael reached his hands out ready to catch me if I fell.

When I first arrived here, and Michael became my doctor, Zane wanted to kill him. Even after I told him that Tyler and Michael were happily married Zane still hated the idea of Michael helping me, especially in the shower.

“I think your boy toy is seconds away from murdering me, so I’m going to let him help you stand.” Michael rolled his eyes.

Zane gave me a knowing smile as he held my left hand and Dimitri held onto my right. Planting my feet on the ground, it took everything to stand on my weak legs. They were both holding me up.

Walking was rough. My legs were extremely weak. Even after a few weeks of practicing, it was still rough. I was able to walk down the hall and halfway back before my knee started to give out. Trying to take another step, my knee finally had enough and buckled. Dimitri’s hand tightened, holding me close.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

“You think you can make it back to your room?” Zane asked.

I wasn’t honestly sure, but I refused to be weak, especially in front of them. Nodding my head, I took another step. The moment my foot hit the tile, my knee gave out and my body began to fall. Zane swept an arm under my knees and back, picking me up bridal style.

“They have wheelchairs, Zane.” Our faces were so close I could feel his breath on my cheek.

“I prefer to carry you.”

Deciding not to give him an argument, remembering all the times he begged me to wake up, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “I need to shower,” I whispered.

“Let’s get you a shower then, Kitten.”

Dimitri opened the door to my room letting us inside. Michael stood off to the side talking to Tyler.

“She wants a shower,” Zane announced, not bothering to wait for anyone to speak.

He stepped into the huge bathroom, closing and locking the door behind us. Setting me down on the small counter, I watched as he flicked the water on before quickly undressing himself. His broad chest always amazed me, but what was different was that fresh tattoo. An outline of my side profile over his chest. Underneath was my name in what I knew was my mother’s writing. My eyes filled with tears. I couldn’t believe it.

His hands reached behind me to untie my gown, his eyes never leaving my own. “I never thought you’d wake up.” His voice was so low, barely a whisper. “I never prayed before, but those months I did every day. I prayed for you to come back to me. I promised I’d never disappoint you again.” I wasn’t sure if he was speaking to me or himself. He couldn’t look at me as he untied my gown. He had just undone the first one, before he moved to the second. “I lost myself, you know. I barely remember these past two months. But I also remember it all. I don’t even feel like this is real…” His voice trailed off as he untied the last knot. The gown fell to the floor, and immediately I felt self-conscious. I wanted to cover myself from his unreadable gaze. My hands automatically went to cover my middle, where the scars were the worst.

“Net ne.”No, don't.His Russian did things to my body. I had no idea I would have this reaction, and it made me realize this was the first time I’d ever heard him speak Russian. “Don’t hide yourself fro—”

“Mne nravitsya kogda ty govorish' po Russian.”I like when you speak Russian.Though my accent sounded so odd, a southern girl speaking Russian was an odd mix.

“Ty takoy krasivyy kotenok, samyy krasivyy, kotorogo ya videl. Shramy i vs.”You're such a beautiful kitten, the most beautiful I've seen. Scars and all.

My whole body shivered at his words, and he could see it because he shook his head. “When you’re feeling better, Kitten.” He tried to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Instead of speaking he picked me up from the counter and carried me into the shower. Holding me in one arm he grabbed a cloth and somehow managed to pour body wash onto it. Setting me down on the side seat he began washing my shoulders and back.

“Tell me about your family,” he mumbled as he kneeled down and began washing my legs.

“Mom and Dad met when they were really young, like I think seven, Dad was ten. They were best friends. I think Dad always loved her from the beginning.” I had to stare at the shower wall because if I looked at him, I was afraid I’d break down and cry. “They used to dance in the kitchen. Sometimes there would be no music, and sometimes Mom would sing.” I laughed remembering all the times she would sing for him. Zane grabbed my foot and began washing it. It shouldn’t have been sexual but something inside me was wrong. Very wrong. Because I was beginning to get very wet from him just washing me and I knew he wouldn’t do anything about it.

“Lee was the best brother and he was good at everything. He used to have such a potty mouth. Mom would always threaten him if he taught me any more curse words. He wanted me to be named Megatron and he would always call me a pain in the ass. I would always follow him around when he was doing chores outside because I loved being there and it was like a game to see how long it would take him to get annoyed with me. I don’t think he ever really got mad at me. He pretended but I think he loved it.”

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