Page 84 of The Enforcer

Why did his words trouble me? No, not his words exactly, but the way he said them, the tone of his voice and the faraway look in his eyes. What was he thinking?

I was still staring at Christos after his odd comment when Cora grabbed my hand. “Thank you. Thank you for saving my husband. You are a true angel.”

“Let’s make sure he gets through the night. I’m staying right here,” I told them.

“There will be soldiers posted in and out of the hospital all night,” Christos added. He exchanged a look with Havros I couldn’t read.

“What about Dimitrios?” Willow asked, her lower lip quivering.

I touched her arm in my attempt to offer reassurance. “The bullet went clean through and missed any major arteries and his lung. He’s in recovery and I’m certain he would love to see you,but…” I stopped and looked at all of them. “He needs his rest so one at a time briefly.”

I could sense relief in each of them, yet I felt another vibration. Another concern that I couldn’t wrap my head around.

Havros patted my arm. “You are a hero, Valencia. Thank you for being there for my family. I assure you that it will be remembered.”

I nodded, but words stuck in my throat; there was so much I wanted to say, but not now. I had to keep reminding myself none of this was about me.

As I backed away, Christos wrapped his fingers around my arm, leading me away from the entire group. I leaned against the wall, staring up into his eyes. I’d watched him kill several people, all of whom had worn masks. I’d felt secure then, maybe even cheering on how protective he was. However, the adrenaline was wearing off, the uncertainty returning.

“How are you really?” he asked. His voice was low so that no one else could hear us.

“I’m fine. Not a scratch.’’

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

I laughed nervously. “I don’t know how to feel right now. How could I? I’ve never been through anything like this. I don’t know how you stand it.”

He sighed and his eyes darted back and forth as he stared at the wall. “I know you’re upset and you have every right to be, but I will find the person or entity responsible.”

“Then what? You’ll kill them?”

“I’ll do what I need to do.”

“That’s not the answer. They attack you. You attack them. People die. What if there’d been children who were hurt or worse? Did you ever think of that?”

“I told you I’d protect you.”

I was growing frustrated. “That’s not the point. You can’t be with me twenty-four hours a day. That just can’t happen. I’m going to stay here with your father tonight. After he’s out of harm’s way, I’m going home. That’s the only thing that I can do at this point. I hope you understand. And if you don’t, I don’t know what to say to you except for I adore you, but not enough to manage to live with your life. It’s just not mine.”

Perhaps because we were in a hospital, he chose to be silent. I wasn’t certain but I could tell by the look on his face the conversation wasn’t over.

But for me it was. I’d made up my mind. No matter how I felt about him, both the desire and a stronger emotion I wasn’t ready to face, this wasn’t the life I wanted.

After everything that had occurred, I had the feeling I wouldn’t be given the choice.

Christos

Valencia was finally resting, her body slumped in a chair near my father’s bed. I’d stood staring at the monitors for some time, basking in just how beautiful she was even after such a tragedy.I’d left them alone, barely acknowledging the two men standing guard by his hospital room.

I stared down at my fingertips, still able to feel the light touch as I’d brushed my fingers across her face while she was sleeping. I fisted them, bringing my hand to my mouth. I hated what I was thinking, the doubts fighting to crowd out everything else.

“How is he doing?” Havros asked as he appeared behind me.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on your honeymoon?” I’d spent a sleepless night, making phone calls and pacing the hospital’s floor.

He handed me a steaming cup of coffee and leaned his back against the window where I was standing. “Under the circumstances, we’ve postponed our plans.”

I nodded and pulled off the lid, taking a sip. The bitter taste wasn’t what I needed at this point. I had the taste of blood in my mouth, where it would remain until the asshole responsible was found. “How’s Mother?” We’d all insisted she go home for the night. The police hadn’t been called and I’d managed to instruct my men to clear the debris. Although the packages around where the initial bomb had been set off had been taken to one of our warehouses for inspection.

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