Page 103 of No Longer Safe

“What are you doing here?”

He pressed his forehead to my hand above the blankets. “I thought he would leave you alone. He told me he would have you killed if I stepped out of line. I should have known better. I should have known that he would do anything to steal my joy even if I was doing everything he wanted. He knew I still loved you. He must have seen it in my eyes as we walked down that long aisle. I don’t know, I don’t care. All that matters is that you’re alive.”

I leaned my head back on the bed and processed what he was saying but couldn’t think of a reply. It was all too much and my body was starting to hurt. My head still felt fuzzy. I blinked a few times.

“I don’t know how you’re still alive but I will spend every waking moment for the rest of my life thanking God that you’re still here.”

His hair was silky and smooth against my fingers as I touched his head. “You could also thank your grandmother.”

He frowned as he lifted his head. “What do you mean?”

“She gave me her cane. Told me she didn’t like me being alone in the big city without some way to protect myself.”

“She knew he was going to do something.”

I shrugged against the bed and it caused pain to shoot through my body. “What do my parents know?”

“It was a break-in gone wrong. That everyone knew Ace and Carina would be out of town for the wedding.”

“And Vina?”

“Fuck her. Fuck that stupid engagement. I don’t even care how she gets home.”

I laughed and something pulled tight over my skin on my chest. I winced. “You just left her?”

He nodded. “I don’t care either. I haven’t thought of her once since my mom got the call. I forgot she existed.”

All conversation stopped as my dad appeared in the doorway. He flew across the space separating us and took up the room on the other side of the bed. He grabbed my hand and pressed it to his lips. “My baby girl.” A tear slid down his cheek and a painful smile broke across my face. “How are you feeling?”

“Itchy.” I pulled at the side of my gown where something was pulling against my skin. “Also hurting but it’s manageable.”

“You were stabbed a few times, and shot, I’m not surprised you’re hurting. You’re lucky to be alive.”

“Way to ease her into it, Gerald.” My mom rolled her eyes as she took up the recliner again. Leave it to Dad to rip off the bandage. “We are going to get a nurse and let them know you’re awake now, honey.” My mom grabbed my dad’s hand and hauled him out of the room.

“We match now.” It was supposed to be a joke but sounded too serious in this sterile room.

“I guess we do.” He sat on the corner of the bed and watched me. “I’m aware that you could never feel safe again.” He raked his fingers through his hair and looked around the room. “I realized throughout all of this that we are probably never going to be safe again. That anyone could be employed by my father.” Ihad no idea where he was going with this. “I have hired security downstairs through Axel and when I’m not here, he will be.”

“Axel?” I frowned. What was happening?

“I realized I’m laying all this on extremely thick but I do not care. Your safety is my highest priority. Honestly, I don’t really have to leave but just in case I need to.”

“What’s going on, Alexei?”

He got back down on his knees and nuzzled the side of his face into my hand. “I’m selling my penthouse. I already bought us a house in the Upper Eastside and get this,” He paused for dramatic effect. “It has a garage.” I laughed.

“Why on earth would you buy us a house?” My head was spinning now. I thought my dad was bad about ripping the metaphorical bandage off.

“Because I can’t trust the doormen at any penthouse on this planet or their security. It was all wiped. Mother tried to get the tapes for the police report that is also being hush-hush. There is security in the building but all of asudden everything is wiped. I would personally see to the doorman if I thought he was responsible, but I don’t know.”

“Has anyone spoken to Ace or Carina?”

He clenched his jaw. “No.”

“Ah, so they remain left in the dark.”

“My mom doesn’t want to ruin their honeymoon. The moment they find out, Carina will force them to turn around. We will tell them when they’ve had enough time to enjoy themselves.”

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