Chapter 78 He’s Awake
❦ Rosalind ❦
I could’ve pretended that the cashier’s scrunched-up nose was an unconscious response to her stressful day, and not to my stench.
I spent my days by Viktor’s side, his palm in mine, my thumb tracing soft circles I hoped he could feel and know he wasn’t alone.
I watched him hour after hour, waiting for the barest twitch or movement to let me know he was awake.
At night, Adrian took over from me, keeping watch along with a rotation of bodyguards and loyal soldatos.
Six days after his accident, I stood in the hospital store for the first time, my selection of snacks and drinks spread out for her to bag.
The cafeteria ushered the smell of coffee and reheated food. It was a welcome break from the sharp hospital smell of the patient wings.
Dressed in a food and snot-stained sweatshirt, Viktor’s joggers tied snug at my waist, I wasn’t exactly the picture of sanity.
My one thick braid was frizzy and probably smelled worse than I thought.
Well, if she was uncomfortable with my state, maybe she should package my purchases faster.
The customer behind me shuffled on their feet, clearly impatient.
At last, the blond, scrunch-nosed cashier handed me my stuff and I immediately whirled around to leave.
Back up to Viktor. He needed me, and I needed him. More than I’d ever admitted.
I crashed into the next body in line, who had taken a strong step forward before I had the chance to swerve.
My paper bag crashed to the floor, its contents—potato chips, plantain chips, protein bars, and Diet Cokes—spilling out.
“Hey!” I startled, looking up to meet the sneer on the offender’s face.
I froze.
Orlov.
His sneer dropped as he recognized me.
“Rosa?”
The third person in line huffed, exasperated, and sidestepped us to the counter.
“What are you doing here?” Orlov asked, not even bothering to help me pick up my stuff.
He could pretend all he wanted. I knew he knew Viktor was involved in an accident, maybe even how long, and that I was here.
I gathered everything into the bag and rose, ready to give him a piece of my mind. He grabbed my elbow, pulling me off to the side.
I snatched my arm back.
“It doesn’t concern you.”
I glared.
My eyes ran over him involuntarily, a tight black T-shirt hugging his arms, his hair sleek with no strand out of place.
I’d associated tight black T-shirts over a broad muscled chest with Viktor. And the fact that he wasn’t the one standing in front of me hurt.
I decided that Orlov didn’t look half as good in the shirt.
He bent his head conspiratorially, his cologne sticking uncomfortably in my nostrils.
“Are you here playing devoted wife, Rosa? How deliciously evil.”
“What are you doing here?” I hissed back.
“This is a hospital, Rosa. I can be here anytime I want. Your verbal restraining order doesn’t apply here.”
A vein pulsed in my temple as I took in his smug grin.
I wasn’t stupid, and unless Orlov’s father himself were in this hospital receiving treatment, he wouldn’t be here for any reason.
He was a selfish, egotistic prick.
Which only meant one thing.
He was here to spy on Viktor, or worse, to hurt him.
“Don’t even think about trying anything. His men will pump you so full of bullets you’d be a sieve before you can get anywhere near him.”
He barked a laugh, eyes crinkling with amusement. “Bold of you to assume I’m here for your hubby. Although, I must commend you on your dedication.”
“Dedication to what?”
“You bewitched him with your cunt, didn’t you? Pretended to surrender, and while he thought you were harmless, you struck. Impressive, really.”
“What are you even saying?”
“You get everything when he dies. The perfect crime.”
I noticed he said when and not if. He had written off Viktor’s survival. The paper bag crinkled in my tight grip.
“I’m not behind this, but like I said, it’s none of your business.”
“Are you sure about that?” His grin spread into a predatory crescent moon.
Ice washed down my spine.
Orlov worshipped his father and always wanted to prove himself to him. There was no way Orlov wasn’t aware of and even involved in the trafficking syndicate.
He might have even been the one who ran Viktor off the road.
Giancarlo must be aware of Viktor’s mission, shared it with his son, and the sick fuck took it into his own hands to solve his father’s problem for a brownie point.
“You’re right. This is a hospital, you have every right to be here. But I promise you, if I catch even a glimpse of you on the fifth floor, I’ll make sure you no longer have legs to scuttle around with.”
I pushed past him, knocking my shoulder into his arm to drive my threat home.
But he grabbed my arm again, his whisper curling over my skin in regulating waves.
“If you know what’s good for you, pack up shop and leave New York, cub. Things will get ugly.”
I winced at the pet name he used to call me when I thought we were in love. Before my frontal lobe finally developed and I saw him for what he was.
I shrugged my arm out of his grip.
“Not as ugly as your face will be if you dare to touch me again.”
I reeled on the ride up in the elevator. Something Orlov said stuck with me.
He thought I was planning to kill Viktor and take his assets in an elaborate scheme.
I snorted. Like I was even capable of that.
Even when I hadn’t been sure of his innocence, I hadn’t been able to follow a simple plot of luring him to his death.
Like I was capable of causing harm to the first person who had chosen to protect me from myself and others when he had a thousand chances to hurt me.
The elevator pinged.
He’d had a thousand chances, even a valid reason, the hotel. But he hadn’t. Viktor Marino, whether he said it aloud or not, had a soft spot for me.
I wasn’t going to pay him with evil. I’d stay until he could take care of himself, then he’d sign the papers and I’d walk away.
If I repeated it enough times, maybe common sense would erase the warmth that spread in my chest whenever I thought of him.
The peace that flooded my brain and softened my limbs whenever I laid on his chest, smelt him, when I kissed him.
The elevator doors opened.
I brisk-walked toward Viktor’s room, then halted sharply at the hallway corner.
Our gazes locked.
Adrian stood facing my direction as if he had been waiting for me to appear.
His gaze, although always icy and his face blank, held a new expression.
Hate.
My heart stuttered, my arms still hugging the paper bag to my chest.
Why was he staring at me with such hate?
Despite my quickly dampening palms and forehead, I walked on.
I stopped in front of him, his body blocking the door.
“Is there a problem?” I asked, steeling my voice.
“You tell me, Rosalind.”
“You’re blocking the door and staring me down like I kicked your puppy. Is there a problem?”
Adrian took a step forward, and I stepped back. I mentally pinched myself for reacting, but he looked positively murderous in that moment.
“What did you discuss with Orlov Conti?” he hissed, his voice low. “You two planned this, didn’t you? Viktor was with you at the hotel, you informed your little rat when he left.”
My stomach dropped. “What are you saying?! I don’t have anything to do with this!”
Dots connected in my mind as I realized how I was never truly alone with Viktor. Adrian always had a man with us whenever he wasn’t around.
He didn’t trust me with Viktor.
He’d put eyes on me and saw me talking with Orlov.
I opened my mouth to explain but he continued, his eyes twin pools of rage and disgust.
“I told him you weren’t the timid lamb he thought you were, and look where it got him. Guard her, don’t let her out of your sight.” He spat to the soldato beside me.
The large bald man immediately grabbed my elbow forcefully.
My purchases fell and rolled out once more.
“Adrian?!” I seethed.
Before I could let the onslaught of curses burning in my throat leave my lips, a nurse burst out of the room.
The doctor appeared after her in a hurried lurch.
He glanced between us.
“He’s awake.”