Page 16 of Claim Me
The stupid girl inside of me had hope that it was my mystery fan. My fantasies had become more vivid, real in a way that I often awoke with my inner thighs wet, my pussy aching.
What if… I backed away from Kazimir, almost tripping when I did. He reached out, but curled his fingers, pulling his hand away when I pressed my back against the wall to avoid his touch.
“You’ve heard me play.” My legs began to shake.
“Yes, I have. You’re amazing and very talented.” He chose his words carefully. The man was a lot to take in, so much so that I forced myself to look away from fear I’d become mesmerized by him and lose my train of thought as well as any common sense.
Right now, I needed to think this through. Even if Charlie survived, his life would be in danger. Where were the police?Be strong.
Again I felt completely unnerved. I reminded myself that Kazimir, if that was his real name, could be responsible for shooting my brother and he was here to finish the job.
Seconds ticked by, his dark gaze continuing.
I had nothing else to say to the man. I moved to the window, placing my palm against the glass. My brother had been so strong, keeping me from losing my mind after our parents had been killed in the accident. He’d never broken down whileI’d cried on his shoulder several times. Even before that, he’d encouraged me to follow my dream with Julliard, flying with me to New York, cheering for me when I’d been hired by the symphony. He’d pushed me to select our home city after I’d gotten several job offers. He’d wanted to keep an eye on me.
I’d thought it was simply out of basic brotherly love. Sadly, I was already thinking otherwise.
Kazimir remained hovering behind me, his predatory stature lingering like his deep musky scent.
Suddenly, the door opened and the crash cart was pulled from the room. I took a deep breath, holding it as I waited to hear the terrible news. I could tell he was still alive, the monitors indicating he was breathing. But for how long?
As a gray-haired man appeared, tears slipped past my lashes, falling slowly down my cheeks. While Kazimir kept his distance, I sensed he would remain like a predator. I moved closer, every muscle tense.
The doctor smiled in such a way that I knew even if Charlie was alive, he wouldn’t be for very long. “Ms. Valentine?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Dr. Westley. We were able to stabilize your brother’s heart, but his condition is still critical. I need to be frank with you. Unfortunately, I don’t think he’ll make it through the night. We will continue to do everything we can do, but the damage to his heart was extensive and he’s still bleeding internally. He’s asking to see you, but in and out of consciousness.”
A single sob escaped and I pressed my hand over my mouth. This wasn’t possible. Not my brother.
“I know how difficult this is for you. As I said, we’ll do everything we can.” The doctor patted my hand and I was caught in a moment of limbo.
“Thank you,” I managed, remaining where I was as he walked away, disappearing around the corner. Less than a minute later, the two nurses left the room. I wasn’t certain I could do this all alone. Teresa had offered to come with me. Now I wished I’d taken her up on the offer. I’d never felt so alone in my life.
I felt Kazimir crowding my space only seconds later as I stood where I was, terrified of going into the room by myself. I wasn’t certain I had the strength.
When he placed his hand on my shoulder, I immediately bristled. Soon after, I felt his hot breath skipping across my skin and damn it to hell if tingles didn’t erupt, trailing all the way down the backs of my legs. My defenses began to crumble, the anger I’d felt for Kazimir fading behind the veil of truth. I was losing Charles. “I’m scared. I can’t lose him.”
Kazimir shifted in front of me and when I dropped my head, tears giving away my weakness, he gently curled his finger, sliding it under my chin. With complete tenderness, he lifted my head, so I’d be forced to look into his eyes. This time, they were filled with compassion as well as an uncompromised strength, which was exactly what I needed.
“Would you like me to go in with you?”
He wasn’t pressuring. “I don’t know.”
“It’s your choice, but I will be here.”
“Why is it necessary? I’m a big girl.”Don’t fall for his lure. He could be dangerous.
“I understand. As I told you, your brother asked me to take care of you and that’s what I will do.”
“You mean when he’s gone.” I was struggling with the words for several reasons. When I was nervous or terrified, they were suddenly jumbled in my mind as my auditory perception failed me. I needed to use my hands. They were my safety net, but he wouldn’t understand.
“Yes, Marissa. After he’s gone.”
I wasn’t a child, but at that moment, I realized I truly had no one else. My parents were dead, and both sets of grandparents. Maybe I had an aunt or uncle somewhere, but if I did, I’d never met them. “No. I’ll be fine. I don’t need you to wait for me.”
“But I’m going to. I will protect you.”
