Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 57121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
And what? He’s a dark, mysterious stranger. Nothing more. And anyway, all this tension is probably in my head.
I call Mom on my break.
“Oh, Liora,” she murmurs, as if we haven’t spoken in years. It’s been less than twelve hours. “My sweet, sweet child…”
“Have you eaten yet?” I ask. It’s two PM.
“What would I eat?” she asks listlessly.
I suppress a groan. I love my mother more than anything. She’s the only family I’ve got left. But ever since Evan, it’s like I’m the parent. When do I get to let go? Lean on someone else? Properly grieve?
“I dropped some groceries by last night, remember?” I say. “You should make an omelet or something. Your omelets were always the best.”
“Were,” she murmurs. “Hmm.”
“Are,” I correct. “Come on, Mom. For me? Make yourself a nice omelet, have a shower, then text me to let me know you’re done. Can you please do that?”
She sighs. “I’ll try.”
“Thank you. That’s all I ask.”
Then… it’s back to the grind.
I’m nearing the end of my shift when I spot Joel and Maksim out front of the hospital. I’m in a patient’s room, looking through the window. Joel waves his hand. Maksim stares at him coldly. He’s one of the few men I’ve ever seen who look down at Joel.
I rush outside, heart pounding. I tell myself this is proof I need to switch off all these silly, out-of-place emotions.
“What’s going on?” I demand.
Maksim turns to me. His expression changes immediately, going from a scowl to something lighter. But then it vanishes and I wonder if I’ve imagined it. Do I even care? Do I want to make him smile?
“I’m starting to think the nurses do more security than the security guards,” he says smoothly.
“Don’t be cruel,” I snap. “I’m… invested in this situation.”
“Why’s that?” Maksim asks.
I’m not going to tell him about my brother. Or the fact that Joel is just a tiny bit dim. He’s an incredible person. Kind, caring, and reliable. But he’s not built for these sorts of bizarre situations.
“What’s going on? Don’t make me ask again.”
Joel shifts awkwardly beside Maksim. He fidgets with his wedding ring. He looks nervous.
“My phone seems to have disappeared,” Maksim says.
I gasp. “What? How?”
Maksim spreads his hands. I like the way he moves, slow, casual. Like he’s brimming with savage power but doesn’t feel the need to use it. Today, he’s wearing a darker suit, the collar open. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
“It must have been… an admin error,” Joel says.
“An admin error,” Maksim mutters.
Joel’s expression is bleak, but I know he’s lying. He looks like he’s on the edge of seriously panicking, the fingers of his right hand tapping against this thigh telling me all I need to know.
“I don’t know,” Joel snaps without reason. “How would I? It was there. Now, it’s gone.”
Maksim approaches me, lowering his voice so only I can hear. He looks at me as if we’re not strangers, as if we’ve met more than twice. The intimacy doesn’t make any sense. But I like it. I like how special he makes me feel. In all his photos—and when he looks and speaks to anyone else—he’s cold, distant. But not with me.
“Your friend is clearly lying, Lia,” he murmurs.
“You’re scaring him.”
“He was scared before we started talking,” he says fiercely. “I need the truth.”
“Why?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
“You can’t waltz in here, demanding information, then tell me that.”
“Can’t I?” he says. “I usually do whatever I want.”
“How nice for you,” I say sarcastically. “But this isn’t one of those times.”
He leans in closer. Warmth whispers over me. Seconds pass, and we just look at each other, the heat building between us. I’ve never felt chemistry like this. It’s unspoken, just there. We haven’t said or done anything romantic at all, and yet it feels like there’s a possibility for some reason.
“I need to know where it went,” he says, his voice low. “I’m not just curious about where it went. It’s not slightly important. This is life-or-death, Lia.”
My heart thunders in my chest. “How can it be life-or-death?”
“I can’t tell you. But it is. You need to make your friend tell me. Or I’ll be forced to do it.”
I swallow. See? This isn’t a good guy. He wouldn’t be saying stuff like this if he was.
“I’m not going to let you hurt him,” I snap. “He’s a good person.”
Maksim smirks, amused. Impressed. I like that look in his eyes a little too much. “Are you going to stop me?”
“If I have to.”
He nods. “I believe you could. You’d find a way. Perhaps you’ll give me something I want more than the phone.”
My core tingles at his words. But I don’t let it show. “Promise you won’t hurt him, and I’ll ask him to help.”
“You need to do more than ask.”
“Promise, Maksim.”