Page 105 of Beautiful Trauma
“He was overwrought about Dima,” I argued feebly.
“And that’s not going to fucking change. His entire empire is sinking when his heir is crippled.”
“But Dima might not always be paralyzed. Kellan said he knew of a specialist in Boston who could help him.”
Lev’s brown eyes bulged. “Are you even listening to yourself right now? Do you think Dima would go anywhere that Kellan suggested?”
“What if we could bring the doctor here?”
“Neither Dima nor Father will have anything to do with something that one of the Kavanaughs has their hands in.”
“Then we won’t tell him Kellan suggested it. I’ll just say I found the specialist. After they’ve been able to help Dima, I’ll tell them the truth so they’ll have to forgive Kellan.”
“Christ, Mila. This isn’t a fairytale where you and our enemy ride off into the sunset.”
“But Kellan isn’t our enemy. It’s bullshit that Father is trying to make him into a villain.”
“Mila–”
“You weren’t there, Lev. There was regret in Dima’s eyes before he shot Kellan. He knew it was wrong what Father was asking of him, and now he’s paying the price for following Father’s orders.”
Lev jerked a hand through his dark hair. “None of this matters when we’re talking about Father.”
“But it should. And not just to us, but to Father’s men.”
“You need to get the idea of Father being replaced out of your head right now.”
“Why should I?”
“Because there is no way anyone is going to lead a coup against Father.”
“But the Korolova men respect Dima. If he passes him over for Aleks, it has to cause dissension.”
“While that might be true, they will never follow Dima if he’s in a wheelchair.”
As I pinched the bridge above my nose, I sighed. “There has to be another way.”
“There isn’t. That’s just how our world works.”
“Somebody should have the balls to change it.”
“And I suppose you think you have a pair to do it,” Lev challenged.
I held up my hand. “Can you please just stop it? It’s been a hell of a week for me. In case you forgot, I was imprisoned by a psychopath and sexually assaulted earlier this week. Tonight was the night I was able to forget everything and just enjoy myself.”
Although a brief flicker of regret flashed in Lev’s eyes, he shook his head. “There is no future for you if you pursue this thing with Kavanaugh.”
“Okay, I’m going up now. I plan to go see Dima tomorrow morning.”
When I started to go inside, Lev grabbed my arm. The look in his eyes shattered me to the core. “Please, Mila. I can’t lose you. And I’m not just saying that because of the shape Dima is in.” His jaw clenched as he stared at the cars passing by. “I know you’re not that much older than me, but after Mama was killed, you became my parents.”
His words sent stinging tears to my eyes. Since I’d always done everything to protect him, I said, “You’re not going to lose me.”
When turmoil marred his handsome features, I brought my hand to his cheek. “I won’t let it come to that, Lev.”
“Promise,” he choked out.
I wasn’t accustomed to lying to my siblings. But tonight it was the most humane thing I could do for both their peace and mine.
