Page 37 of Hacker Unknown

For the first time since the conversation started, he smiled. “And how exactly are you going to get me tied to any bed?”

He was forgetting I could easily call in reinforcements. “I might not be strong enough to haul you there, but I guarantee one callto Kat, and she’d help me. Hell, she’d probably show up with the outfit I’d need.”

“You, my little Sonali, have been playing that online game too much,” he said with a smirk. “I checked the main alliance chat today, and Kat is definitely spending way too much time in there. Fine. When we get back to Fort Lauderdale, I’ll meet with a doctor to find out what stage of cancer I have. I’m not promising to undergo any treatment, but I’ll at least see the doctor. Will that make you happy?”

It wouldn’t, not entirely—but it was one step closer to him finally caving and letting Sawyer help me treat him, if possible. I hadn’t talked to Sawyer about it yet, but I needed Paolo on board first.

“So tomorrow, when we get to Fort Lauderdale, we part ways?” I asked quietly. “You go to the doctor, and I plan to go back to Paris?” I so wanted him to ask me to stay.

“The best thing we could do is go our separate ways now. There’s no longer a threat to your life. I could get another room and call this quits before either of us gets any more attached.” With every word he spoke, my heart broke a little more.

I blinked fast to keep the tears from falling. “If that’s what you want. Don’t worry about moving—I will.”

There was no way I was letting him see me crumble. I turned toward the room when his arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me back against his body.

“I said it’s the best thing,” he murmured. “But clearly, I’ve never done what’s best for me. How about one last wild night here, and then you stay with me in Fort Lauderdale until you have to fly back for your show?”

He’d never promised me more than a month. A few days ago, I had only wanted a fun fling. Now, I wasn’t sure how I would ever walk away.

“On one condition.”

He leaned forward and nipped my ear. “I like when you make demands. What is it?”

“I’m coming with you to your doctor’s appointment.”

“My guess is that even if I said no, you’d show up anyway. You can come, but that doesn’t mean I’ll change my mind on treatment.”

I debated pushing harder, but decided that getting him to agree to see a doctor was enough for now. “Deal.”

“Go lie in the center of the bed,” he directed. “I want to spend the afternoon exploring your body.”

As I walked toward the bed, I pulled off my long t-shirt. I tossed it aside, leaving me in a red lace bra with matching panties.

Paolo groaned as he passed by, heading for the cabinet. Just as he reached for the doors, he started coughing. I sat up and watched the blood coat his hand. He tried to steady himself, but he missed the corner of the cabinet. I leapt out of bed and rushed to his side, but I arrived too late. He stumbled backward, colliding with the table before collapsing to the ground.

“Paolo.” I pressed my hands to his cheeks. His eyes were closed. No matter how much I shook him, he wouldn’t stir. Panicked, I grabbed my phone and called Sawyer, praying it wasn’t too late to save him.

Chapter 12

Paolo

My head pounded like I’d drank three bottles of whiskey and topped it off with a bottle of gin. I glanced around the room; next to me was a tray with a syringe. The paper under my back crinkled as I moved. The room screamed ‘hospital,’ but the handcuffs attached to the wall told a different story.

“Club?”

Sawyer nodded. “The doctor on staff, did a quick check but needed more equipment than this room could provide.”

“Where is Sonali?”

I tried to sit up, and parts of Sawyer’s face faded away. Realizing I couldn’t make sudden movements, I sank back down onto the bed.

“She didn’t want to leave your side, but she was also hopping from foot to foot because she had to use the restroom. Don’t worry, she will be back, and the doctor can finish his exam.” Sawyer crossed his arms over his chest. “She said you have cancer?”

“No official diagnosis,” I lied, as I tried to sit up again, but the pain was too much. “I just need some aspirin for the headache.”

I hadn’t eaten much in the last couple of days, which was probably tied to the reason why I fainted. There was a good chance it could be from the diagnosis the doctor had given me. We’d already planned to head back to Fort. Lauderdale tomorrow. I was okay with going back tonight, and could make an appointment with Quinton.

“Aspirin is the last thing I plan to give you,” Sawyer growled. “You hit your head on the corner of the table in the room. Until the doctor does a scan, you’re not getting anything for the headache. Aspirin thins your blood and could cause internal bleeding.”

---