Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“Take Anastasia home so she can rest,” he orders, then he adds, “Maybe you and Katya should stay in one of the guest rooms at my place for the next couple of days.”
“Of course,” Sergei agrees. “I’ll guard your family with my life. Don’t worry about them and just focus on Andrei.”
I kiss Rodian again before I pull away, and as I walk to the entrance, Katya wraps her arm around my lower back.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
Nodding, I sigh, “As okay as I can be.” A smile curves my lips as I look at her. “Thank you for today.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Friends stick together through thick and thin.”
Friends.
Giving her a sideways hug, I murmur, “Yeah, we do. By the way, I’m taking all your support as payment for the dress you want.”
Sergei drives us home, but before he’s even halfway, I drift off to sleep.
Rodian
“I’m going to kill you,” I growl at the stubborn fucker, as he once a-fucking-gain gets out of bed.
“Well, it’s either you or lying in this fucking room,” he mutters. “I’m taking my chances and leaving.”
“Oh, my God!” Anastasia gasps as she comes into the private hospital room. “Andrei Nikita Dragun, what do you think you’re doing?”
“I hate that you learned my full name,” he complains.
“I don’t care. Get back in bed right this instant!” my wife snaps, going all mom-mode on my best friend.
I have to admit, I love it, especially because he never argues with her and always listens to what she says.
“This is fucking torture.” He sits down on the side of the bed, his shoulders slumping and his breathing labored from the exercise.
I’d lose my mind too if I had to stay in this room.
“I’ll speak with Dr. Kravets. Maybe we can move you to the estate, and he can give you private care.”
Andrei’s head snaps up, hope filling his right eye. “I’d appreciate that a lot.”
“I’ll help take care of you,” Anastasia says as she gently nudges his uninjured shoulder. “Lie back. Your color doesn’t look good at all.”
“Make a fuss over your husband. I’m fine.”
She levels him with a scowl, which has him letting out a heavy sigh while he lies down.
“Christ, if this is what it’s like having a mother, I’m glad I dodged that bullet growing up.”
“You’re a pain in the ass patient,” she replies. “I pity the woman who ends up marrying you.”
“I’m never getting married. Your complaining is enough to last me a lifetime.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I watch how they go at each other like siblings.
“Instead of enjoying this, phone the fucking doctor!” he raises his voice at me, telling me he’s in a fuck ton of pain again.
Anastasia quickly hurries out of the room, probably to get a nurse so he can receive painkillers.
Pulling my phone out, I dial Dr. Kravets’ number.
“Yes, sir. How can I help?”
“Andrei wants to go home. Can you get him released into your care? You can treat him further at the estate.”
“I’ll go to my place,” Andrei mutters, but I ignore him.
“Of course, sir,” Dr. Kravets replies. “I’ll arrange for a live-in nurse as well. Give me an hour, and I’ll meet you at the hospital.”
“Thank you.”
Anastasia returns with one of the nurses, and when Andrei doesn’t argue as she prepares a syringe of medication to inject into his IV, it only confirms that he’s in a fuck-ton of pain.
“You’ll feel better soon,” my wife coos as she begins to caress his hair. “Try to get some sleep.”
Andrei closes his eye, and within seconds he drifts off.
“Dr. Kravets agreed to move Andrei to the estate. Will you really be okay taking care of his grumpy ass?” I whisper, taking a seat on the couch that’s near the window.
“Yes. I don’t mind at all,” she replies quietly while coming to sit beside me. Letting out a sigh, she narrows her eyes at me. “I’ve changed my mind about having kids. One is enough for me.”
My chest shakes as I chuckle, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “You’re great with him, though.” My gaze softens on her. “Thank you. It means a lot to me.”
“You don’t have to thank me.” She lifts her hand and rests her palm against my jaw. “Andrei didn’t hesitate to protect me, even though they came after him.” Glancing at the bed, she adds, “Plus, he’s family. What kind of wife would I be if I don’t take care of your brother?”
“I’m lucky to have you,” I murmur before pressing my mouth to her temple.
Leaning into each other, we both drift in and out of sleep, tired from the long hours of watching over Andrei the past week.
When I hear footsteps, the sleepiness vanishes, and I quickly get up, moving to stand by the foot of the bed.
It’s a protective move I have zero control over.