Four: Not Getting On

Gianna

I glared at him so hard my eyes nearly fell out of my skull.

He was really doing it. He was actually trying to use my brother’s situation as leverage, and if anyone else failed to see it, I sure as hell didn’t.

"No." The word slipped out before I could think it through. I laced my fingers with Kevin’s, even though I had no clue what I was doing or why it made sense.

All I knew was that I was done. Done with the games. Done with Dim walking in after years and acting like my life was his to rearrange.

His expression didn’t even twitch. “Sure thing, you can leave with him. At least I know I tried.” He pulled out his phone like none of this mattered.

Kevin leaned in from behind me, his breath brushing my ear. “You can stay with me tonight and head home in the morning.”

I nodded automatically, but my mind wasn’t on him, or anything he was offering. My chest hurt at how easily Dmitry dismissed me. Why did it bother me this much? What was wrong with me? I didn’t want to leave with him, yet the second he acted like he didn’t care, something inside me split.

Stupid heart. Stupid everything.

Kevin’s voice brought me back. “Is that fine by you, Gia?”

I blinked, pulling myself out of the fog. I didn’t even hear half the things he had said. He had gone out of his way to take care of me tonight, and here I was hoping my ex would swoop in and save me from the mess I created. God, I was ridiculous.

I finally looked at Dmitry properly now that the bright hospital lighting sharpened everything.

He was lucidly beautiful, a silver ring camped on his brow complimenting the tattoo running from his neck into his shirt. I wanted to pull that shirt over his head just to see the rest of the masterpiece he had inked onto his skin.

My eyes drifted back to his face. His forehead was creased like he was arguing with whoever had him thumbing his phone so fast.

God. I was still into my ex-boyfriend.

Dmitry was trouble. The same trouble I had thrown myself into five years ago, and the kind I knew I would tumble right back into if I didn’t watch myself.

Lust crawled up my spine before collapsing under a wave of guilt. Alec was fighting for his life. How could I think of anyone like that right now?

And then, because my heart hated me, the lust came right back.

“Uh, yes.” I managed a small smile. “That seems okay.”

He squeezed my shoulder and tugged me into a half hug, comforting and steady.

That was when Dmitry finally spoke again.

“Are you done?” His voice cut through the room like a blade. He didn’t even look up from his phone. “Listen, I don’t want you around me as much as you don’t want me near you. The only reason I’m doing this is for my best friend.”

My throat closed. I slowly stepped away from Kevin.

But Dmitry wasn’t finished.

“So be a good little kitten and do as you’re told. You’ll be coming home with me. And in the morning, you’ll move in completely until your brother wakes up.”

My heart dropped. My stomach twisted. And every terrible, confusing feeling I’d been juggling crashed into me at once.

Kevin stepped in front of me, startling me. “No. She already said she wasn’t leaving with you.”

Dmitry didn’t spare him a glance. He brushed past, his shoulder grazing Kevin’s just enough to make a point, and leaned in to murmur, “I’ll be waiting outside.”

“Are you good, Gia? You know you don’t have to go with him… whoever he is.”

Watching Kevin try to stand up for me was honestly sweet. He’d tried to make sure I didn't lose my mind completely, even without knowing half of what I had been dealing with. It would have ended well too, if Alec’s accident hadn’t happened.

But there was a reason Dmitry wanted me in his home, and I knew that no matter what anyone said, he would make sure I ended up there.

I offered Kevin a tired smile. I was drained. I had gone through a whole plethora of emotions in the last nine hours.

“I’ll be safe with Dim,” I said, nodding toward the exit.

“You sure? There seems to be some bad blood between you two.”

I rolled my eyes, kicking at a nonexistent piece of dirt.

“We dated. Briefly.”

Kevin’s mouth dropped open as he made a series of sounds and hand gestures that had absolutely no words attached.

Eventually, the words arrived. “You? The man-hater had a boyfriend?”

I winced at the nickname but nodded anyway.

“I was young okay?" I defended, "And was just three months.”

A look of realization settled over his features. “So that’s why you didn’t give me a chance?”

I squinted. It wasn’t. Kevin was everything I wasn’t, and the last thing I wanted was to drag him into the madness that followed me everywhere.

“Look, Kev, you’re an amazing guy, but—”

“I’m going to stop you right there,” he said, raising a hand. “You are not about to reject me in a hospital waiting room when I haven’t even asked you out yet.”

My brows furrowed. I wasn’t exactly rejecting him, but I needed our situation to be clear.

“Okay,” I muttered.

“Shall we leave now?”

“Yes.”

His hands snaked around my waist as he guided us toward the door, steady and warm, leading me out to the parking lot.

Dmitry was leaning against a black Dodge when we reached the lot. His eyes followed us, burning with anger and hate.

He could at least pretend my presence didn't annoy him so much and in any case shouldn't.

He was the one at fault here. Him.

Kev held me tightly, his chest warm against mine. “I think he’s not over you,” he whispered, low enough that only I could hear.

I tried to pull away, but Kev didn’t budge. “Your ex… he’s glaring at us right now,” he murmured, a teasing lilt under the concern.

“What?” I whispered, heart skipping a beat.

Kev finally loosened his grip just enough to press a soft kiss to my forehead. “Take care, love. I’ll text you once I’m home—and make sure you eat.”

Then, tilting his head toward Dmitry, he added with just enough bite, “And take care of her.”

Without another word, he got into his car and pulled out of the lot.

I stood there, waiting for Dmitry to open the Dodge, but he moved to a bike I didn't notice parked next to the car.

Fuck no.

He swung onto it, helmet snapping into place.

“Are you going to stand there all day?” he called.

“I’m not getting on that thing,” I shot back.