Page 90 of Stolen Seconds

My chest burned, torn between my own predicaments. “She had nothing to do with what happened.”

“Maybe not. But it doesn’t take away from the fact that he’s fighting for his life right now.”

“He went after her on his own.”

“Because he cares!” He pressed the heels of his palms against his eyes. “He always fucking cares too much.”

This whole situation was fucked, and I didn’t even know where to begin in fixing it. Roman thought I was disloyal, Nico was in a coma, and Irina’s mental health was a black abyss.

“We all care,” I said sternly. “Irinacares. Have you even seen her?” My blood ran cold every time the image of her lifeless body appeared in my mind—not that it ever left. “No, you haven’t because if you did, you’d know she’s suffering as much as her brother is.”

“I’m not some heartless fucker, Luca,” he snapped. “Irina should be so lucky I even agreed for Aurora to visit her.”

I scoffed, shaking my head at his pettiness. “With all the power you have, you’d never be able to break those two apart. They’re like sisters.”

Roman opened the door to Nico’s room. “And we were like brothers but look where that got us.”

As he shut the door, I stood dumbfounded, staring at the empty space.

I knew Roman felt betrayed by me because I chose Irina but if he were in the same position as me, he would have chosen Aurora too, regardless of the repercussions.

Hehadchosen Aurora, and it was fucking hypocritical of him.

But the truth was that my brother was hurting, and it had nothing to do with me and everything to do with Nico. That was his son in every way, and no DNA test could ever change that.

With a heavy heart, I entered Irina’s room.

She was awake, her gaze unfocused as she peered through the window.

“I want to see Nico. Has he woken up yet?”

I sat down on the bed beside her and shook my head.

Her throat worked as she swallowed, and it pained me to see her plagued by her own torturous thoughts.

Life had drained her these past few days, and it was evident in her hollow and sunken face. Bones protruding and haunting blue eyes.

I interlinked my hand with hers, noting the irony of her cut hand and my torn one. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t gone out for a quick killing spree to release the built-up anger and tension inside of me.

“You’ll both be discharged today.”

Subconsciously she reached for her patched eye before she curled her hand into a fist and put it down.

Her cheeks bloomed with color when she caught me staring at her, and it might’ve warmed my chest if it weren’t for the displeasure crossing her face.

“Don’t be embarrassed, Irina. Never with me.”

“I’m not.” Her defenses were up again as she let go of my hand, turning away from me.

I pulled her hand back, leaning into her. “Don’t hide from me either.”

Her eyes narrowed in distaste as she sneered at me. “Or what?”

“Or I’ll find you in whatever hell you’ve imprisoned yourself to and drag you out.”

I’d heard her full conversation with Aurora. I knew she believed she wasn’t worthy of love. That she didn’t deservemylove.

That word was underwhelming for what I felt for Irina.

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