Page 20 of Crimson Flames

Placing a hand on his chest, I try to mimic his breaths as he holds my stare.

“That’s it, Love. There’s my girl.” He’s so relieved that I wrap my arms around him, thanking him in the only way I know how right now.

I might not know what the future holds or who will want me anymore, but I have Cillian, and from the look on Kai’s face, I have him too.

If it needs to be, then that will be enough for me.

Chapter 7

I didn’t know I could hate someone more than I did those guards, but somehow this Boris guy has made it onto that list. I was so relieved when Nessa woke up that I couldn’t help but go to her.

She looked so broken and fragile, nothing like the woman that just stormed into a camp with a rifle over her shoulder ready to burn down the world if it meant saving us.

That same woman is now lying in a hospital bed, pale and… broken. Her body shook as Cillian held her until he clicked the button to give her more pain medication, and she finally driftedoff. It was clear she was hurting, but something tells me it wasn’t just physical.

“Is she going to be okay?” I ask Cillian in a whisper.

She is laying in his arms, curled into him as tightly as she possibly could be. His hand moves to push some of her hair back. “I really don’t know, kiddo. But I know she needs him, and she will need us too.”

“Me?” I question.

Cillian smiles down at Nessa before placing a kiss on her forehead. The man looks like he’s the definition of unhinged, yet with her, he’s so careful and caring.

“In this family, we don’t take the phrase ‘together’ lightly. It’s a promise.”

Hope swells in my chest at the idea that I could be part of something greater. Something that isn’t evil. Something that could maybe be my choice.

“Why isn’t he here?” I ask.

I watch as Cillian’s face darkens, and he grits his teeth.

“Sometimes it’s easier to run from the truth instead of face it.”

I look at Nessa, noting her puffy eyes. There is a small red mark on her face from where the tubing was connected during surgery, and her hair is a mess, even if someone made an attempt to pull it back.

“But what if running away only causes others more pain?”

It doesn’t make sense. If he truly loves her, why would he choose to put her through more hurt?

Cillian shrugs. “It’s hard for some to see past their own pain when someone they love is hurting. Boris used to be a mafia don. He is used to having all of the control and making all of the decisions. When things don’t go his way, he doesn’t know how to cope.”

I snort a laugh. “He sounds like a toddler.”

Cillian actually chuckles. “Between us, that’s exactly what he is.”

My stomach lets out a growl as I sit back, but I ignore it. I’ve gone days without food before. I can manage if it means staying here with her.

“Hey,” Cillian says, gesturing to his jacket on the back of a chair. “Grab that for me?”

“Sure.” I stand and bring it to him, but he doesn’t take it. Instead, he just sticks his hand in the pocket to pull out his wallet before waving the coat away.

“Will you grab us some food from the dining area? Something that’s easy to eat one-handed for me and maybe some hot tea for Nessa. She likes herbal teas.”

He hands me a few bills and my eyes widen. “This is five hundred bucks.”

His brows pinch. “Do you need more? The food here can’t be that pricey. It’s a hospital.”

I look at him incredulously before handing back four of the one hundred dollar bills. “This will still be way more than enough,” I assure him.

---