Four: Not Getting On

Gianna

I glare at him so hard my eyes nearly fall out of my skull.

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

“No.” The word slips out before I can think it through. I lace my fingers with Kevin’s, even though I have no clue what I’m doing or why it makes sense.

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

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

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

I nod automatically, but my mind isn’t on him, or anything he’s offering. My chest hurts at how easily Dmitry dismisses me. Why does it bother me this much? What is wrong with me? I don’t want to leave with him, yet the second he acts like he doesn’t care, something inside me splits.

Stupid heart. Stupid everything.

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

I blink, pulling myself out of the fog. I don’t even hear half the things he says. He has gone out of his way to take care of me tonight, and here I am hoping my ex will swoop in and save me from the mess I created. God, I am ridiculous.

I finally look at Dmitry properly now that the bright hospital lighting sharpens everything.

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

My eyes drift back to his face. His forehead is creased like he is arguing with whoever has him thumbing his phone so fast.

God. I am still into my ex-boyfriend.

Dmitry is trouble. The same trouble I throw myself into five years ago, and the kind I know I will tumble right back into if I don’t watch myself.

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

And then, because my heart hates me, the lust comes right back.

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

He squeezes my shoulder and tugs me into a half hug, comforting and steady.

That is when Dmitry finally speaks again.

“Are you done?” His voice cuts through the room like a blade. He doesn’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 closes. I slowly step away from Kevin.

But Dmitry isn’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 drops. My stomach twists. And every terrible, confusing feeling I’ve been juggling crashes into me at once.

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

Dmitry doesn’t spare him a glance. He brushes past, his shoulder grazing Kevin’s just enough to make a point, and leans 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 is honestly sweet. He tries to make sure I don’t lose my mind completely, even without knowing half of what I’ve been dealing with. It would have ended well too, if Alec’s accident hadn’t happened.

But there is a reason Dmitry wants me in his home, and I know that no matter what anyone says, he will make sure I end up there.

I offer Kevin a tired smile. I am drained. I have gone through a whole plethora of emotions in the last nine hours.

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

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

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

“We dated. Briefly.”

Kevin’s mouth drops open as he makes a series of sounds and hand gestures that have absolutely no words attached.

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

I wince at the nickname but nod anyway.

“I was young okay?” I defend, “And it was just three months.”

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

I squint. It isn’t. Kevin is everything I am not, and the last thing I want is to drag him into the madness that follows me everywhere.

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

“I’m going to stop you right there,” he says, 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 furrow. I am not exactly rejecting him, but I need our situation to be clear.

“Okay,” I mutter.

“Shall we leave now?”

“Yes.”

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

Dmitry is leaning against a black Dodge when we reach the lot. His eyes follow us, burning with anger and hate.

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

He is the one at fault here. Him.

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

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

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

Kev finally loosens 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 adds with just enough bite, “And take care of her.”

Without another word, he gets into his car and pulls out of the lot.

I stand there, waiting for Dmitry to open the Dodge, but he moves to a bike I don’t notice parked next to the car.

Fuck no.

He swings onto it, helmet snapping into place.

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

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