Page 48 of Shadows of Obsession

Here I stare shamelessly because it looks exactly like what I would have put on a Pinterest board for my ideal house. Shades of brown and green greet me as I step into the room. The couch is gigantic, covered in what seems to be very soft material. On one wall stands a beautiful brick fireplace, and near another wall is a black grand piano. My gaze falls on the man who looks at me, frowning, and I can't keep the confusion out of my voice.

"Kai?"

My brain, which was already mush, tries to make the correlation between my boss and the doctor I've met in recent months at the hospital.

He shakes his head and approaches me.

"I suppose coincidences do exist," is all he offers and throws Roman a serious look.

I'm pretty good at interpreting what that look wants to say. It's an accusation and I feel the need to defend Roman, although I'm sure he doesn't need my protection.

"It's not Roman's fault."

I know I probably don't look my best, and I don't want anyone to think Roman did me any harm. Kai nods, and when I look at Roman, there's something in his gaze. Something I can't recognize.Gratitude? Hmm...

"I'll need you to tell me where you feel pain," he tells me while signaling me to sit on the couch.

"I have pain in the lumbar area and right shoulder. I think it’s from when he slammed me into the chest of drawers," I tell him softly, turning to indicate exactly where it hurts.

I look at Roman for comfort and see his gaze again emanating agitation and fury. I lift my sweater to show Kai.

When he touches my lumbar area, I actually jump with an "Ahhh," because the pain is short but intense. Roman is now next to me on the couch and looking at Kai as if he'd like to remove his head, but the latter doesn't seem affected.Interesting.

"Let's see the shoulder too," Kai tells me in a calm tone while I turn to show him my shoulder, which now that all the adrenaline is gone, throbs painfully under the sweater.

"It doesn't seem dislocated, but you'll have some painful bruises in the next few days."

I deeply appreciate that he didn't make any remark about the scars on my back that Roman saw when I changed.

"I'll leave you some anti-inflammatory medication, but I think what you need now is a warm bath and sleep," he tells me, and I notice fatigue in his tone too.

He leaves me a bottle of pills with instructions on how often to take them.

"Thank you," I tell him and extend my hand because, although I'm exhausted, Kai has always been good to me, and the fact that he didn't question me seems like a blessing.

Still, I wonder how he ended up next to someone like Roman, who apparently has people with guns at hand.

After a short discussion by the door, which I can't hear, Anuska comes into the living room with a cup of tea and a blanket, for which I want to hug her. Only when I wrap myself up do I realize my whole body is shaking.

"After you drink your tea, I'll show you where you'll sleep, Luna," Roman tells me from the doorway, keeping a distance, which for some reason bothers me.

"I need some answers," I tell him while not taking my eyes off him.

I know it's not the best moment, I know it would be much better for me to go to bed and sleep, but I can't fall asleep in this house until I hear the truth from his mouth. Because I'm not naive. I know all the signs point to one thing, but I don't want to make my verdict until I hear him out. In the end, I owe him my life and I know that.

A few seconds pass in which I try to understand what's happening in his head, just based on the tension he emanates, before he finally speaks.

"I'm the head of the Russian mafia in Chicago."

Never have a few words hit me so deeply. Did I suspect? Obviously. But it's one thing to hear the truth and another to accept it.

"Thank you," I whisper while creating a thousand ideas and plans in my head of how the hell I'll escape from here.

I'm visually locked on the teacup when I suddenly hear him closer to me.

"Don't even think about running, and I mean it, Luna."

The way he says my name, like honey dripping from his tongue, sends shivers down my spine. No matter how drawn I am to this man, I can't stay here, not with him.

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