Page 31 of The High Priestess

I grab the first one I lay eyes on, spin around, and head back to Cassia. Entering the hospital room, it’s to see the nurse getting ready to insert the IV into the inside of Cassia’s forearm. The woman only shoved up the fabric of the jacket.

“Wait,” I snap harshly.

Jasmine freezes, her eyes flying to me and fear ghosting over her features.

I pull Cassia up into a sitting position and take off the jacket before I gently lay her down again.

“Now you can put in the IV,” I mutter while I move to the foot of the bed. I pull the zippers down on her boots and take them off before setting them on the floor.

The instant Jasmine is done putting in the IV, she checks Cassia’s vitals. While she makes notes on the chart at the foot of the bed, I adjust the sheet over Cassia. When I drape the blanket over her and tuck it in at her sides, her eyes open.

Not noticing Cassia has regained consciousness, Jasmine leaves the room.

I check her forearm to make sure the IV was inserted correctly, then meet Cassia’s eyes.

She gives me a questioning look, which I ignore. I walk to the window that looks out into the hallway and glance into the room where Eleni used to lie. The bed has been made up with fresh sheets.

“Why won’t you leave?” she asks.

“I already answered you.”

I lift a hand and rub the pads of my fingers over the scruff on my jaw.

“Okay,” she murmurs. A few seconds later, she asks, “Why do you want to protect me?”

A frown forms on my forehead.

I don’t really know. There’s a weird pull that keeps me by her side, and I know I’ll regret it if I walk away and she’s killed.

Or maybe it’s because I finally have the chance to save someone.

I’ve quickly learned that Cassia is one hell of a determined woman, and I know I have to give her an answer.

Letting out a sigh, I turn around and walk to the side of the bed. I lock eyes with her and stare until her irises start to darken.

“Do you know your eyes turn dark when you’re scared?”

She frowns and glances away.

“You fool everyone else with the badass act, but I see right through it. You’re fucking terrified and in over your head.”

Her gaze snaps back to mine, anger tightening her features.

Before she can lose her shit, I continue, “I’m not saying you’re not brave. You have a fuck-ton of guts. I’ll give you that.”

“I’m not scared,” she snaps.

Before I can stop myself, I place my hands on either side of her head and lean in so close I can feel her breath hitting my lips. “The bratva wants you dead. You know they won’t stop coming after you. How many more bullets do you think you can survive?”

The image of Cassia lying covered in blood on the ground flashes through my mind, and I growl, “You need me.”

I can hear the fear creeping into her voice as she argues, “I have my own people.”

“Where are they?” I straighten up and wave a hand over the empty room. “Where the fuck were they while you were running for your life? Where were they when you took a bullet in the back?”

Anger starts to bubble in my chest, and I lean over her again, capturing her eyes with mine. “I saved you at the factory. I took out an army of Russians.” Leaning even closer, my tone is low and dangerous as I say, “Your people were either dead or hiding while I was the only one fighting for you.”

She turns her face away from me, her chin trembling as her stark reality sinks in.

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