Page 98 of The Hermit

Chapter 26

DOMINIK

It takes a long while before I feel calm again, but with the headache pulsing behind my eyes, all I want to do is sleep.

“I shouldn’t have lost my temper and punched Ilias,” I say. “I’m surprised he hasn’t barged in here to start a war with me.”

“He deserved it,” Grace replies.

“If it weren’t for the alliance and Cassia saving my life, I would’ve strangled the fucking life out of him,” I admit.

“I know.”

I let out a sigh and mutter, “We should head back and get this day over with so we can go home.”

“Are you sure? We can stay in here for another hour or so,” Grace says, her tone tense with worry.

I force a smile to my face to set her at ease. “Yeah, I’m sure. Let’s go.”

As I climb to my feet, I pull her up, and keeping hold of her hand, we leave the guest room.

I’m surprised when I don’t hear Ilias ranting and raving, but only the murmur of voices.

When we step out onto the veranda, it’s to see Evinka and the others relaxing as if they’re all on fucking vacation.

Santiago notices us first, and a broad smile spreads over his face. “Do you feel better?”

“Yes. Thanks.” I gesture for Grace to take a seat on a sofa before I sit down beside her.

Santiago gets up and heads into the house while Evinka brings two glasses of fresh juice for Grace and me.

When we take the glasses, she signs, “There’s food over on the table. Eat something.”

I nod, then take a couple of sips of the juice before glancing at everyone.

When my eyes land on Ilias, who’s staring at me with a shiner forming on his face, I say, “Have you calmed down?”

He nods but still grumbles something unintelligible beneath his breath.

“While you got some rest, we had a talk. Ilias is aware of where he stands in the alliance,” Leo mutters.

Good.

Santiago comes back and tosses a shirt at me before handing Grace a small bottle of pills. “Antonio said Dominik needs to take two every six hours. It will help with the headaches.”

“Thanks.” I pull the fabric on and relax back against the sofa again. My body is starting to ache from the toll the explosions took on it, and I suppress a groan.

“Thank you,” Grace replies and immediately shakes two into her palm.

I take them from her and swallow them down with some juice.

“With Pavlov taken care of, we’ll hopefully have peace for a while,” Leo mentions.

“Do we ever really have peace?” Enzo asks while shaking his head. “There’s always an enemy just waiting for their chance to attack.”

Cassia looks at me. “How long before the island is up and running?”

“Three months at the very least,” I reply. “They’re working around the clock.” I drink some more of the juice, then add, “I’ll arrange for an inspection when they’re at the halfway mark so we can all make sure everything is proceeding as planned.”

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