Page 34 of Brutal Heir

“I’m his nurse,” she blurts, marching closer to the bed.

I sit up as straight as the compression garments beneath will allow without tweaking my healing skin and meet her fierce gaze. “And I’ve already told you countless times, I don’t need one.” For some reason, I feel the necessity to say it out loud in front of my family.

She glares down at me, all righteous indignation. I should hate the infuriating woman, should send her packing with a single word. But for some reason, the way she storms in like she owns the place makes me want to see what happens if I push back.

“Well, that’s not what your father said, and he’s the one who hired me if you recall.” She offers a smile, flashing her teeth. “And the next time you leave the penthouse without telling me, there will be consequences.”

“You’re really going to punish me, Red?” I taunt, watching for a reaction.

She smirks. “Don’t tempt me.”

I stare at her, brows slamming together in surprise, and she glares right back. At all of five foot nothing and wearing what barely passes as an outfit to leave the house in, the little leprechaun is still a ferocious thing. She looks like she walked out of a Celtic fever dream, all fire and fury.

Matteo laughs, the sound cutting through the suddenly quiet room. “Well, Ale, I think you’ve met your match.”

I meet Rory’s gaze, bejeweled irises burning with something that makes my pulse spike.

“All of you out, I need to speak to my patient in private.” She shoos my family out, herding them like wild cattle. They each shoot me half-hearted waves before lumbering out.

Serena tosses me a smile over her shoulder before pausing in the doorway. “Rory, I fully expect you to get my cranky cousin out on the dancefloor.”

I scoff, shaking my head. “Not happening.”

“Fine, by the wedding then.”

“Deal.” Rory throws her a smirk.

Before I can counter, Serena slips out. I’m impressed by how quickly Rory clears the room.

They don’t even obey Uncle Luca like that.

The moment the door closes, she whirls on me, jabbing a finger to my chest. “What the feck were you thinking running off like that?”

“There was no running,” I hiss, catching her finger before it can jab again. My body protests every inch as I rise, but I needto look her in the eye for this. “In case you forgot, I’m still in a damned wheelchair.” Leveling her in a dark glare most would find intimidating, I tower over her, finger still clenched in my hand. “My sister’s driver came for me then escorted us to my cousin’s engagement party. It was all very safe.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me about it?”

“Because I didn’t want you here!” I jerk my hand back, releasing her and she stumbles back a step. I should be relieved to have some space between our bodies. Instead, my chest hollows like I’ve just lost something I can’t name. A pang of hurt flashes across her face before the typical fire returns. Didn’t I wish she were here only a few minutes before hiding out in this room?Dio, this woman has my head spinning. “Don’t you understand that your simple presence makes me look weak?”

“You’re wrong,” she growls, closing the space between us once again. “If anything, with me beside you, you look like a man smart enough to accept help. Strong enough to heal.”

My jaw clenches. I want to shove her away, to tell her to leave, to remind her who the hell I am. But I can’t. Because she’s already too close, close enough that I catch the faintest trace of her perfume. Something citrusy, fresh, wild. Like her.

“In this world, this family, this empire, perception is everything.”

“And what do you see when you look at me, Alessandro?” Her eyes blaze emerald fire, chin tilted up in defiance. “Because right now, it feels like you’re trying so hard to keep me at arm’s length when all I’ve done is try to help.”

My throat works around the sudden lump. I wish she’d just yell, threaten to walk away. That I could handle. But this quiet accusation, this unflinching honesty, it guts me.

“This is not who I was,” I admit, voice low, raw. “In a chair. Needing help just to fucking stand. That’s not who I wassupposedto be.”

She takes another step closer, her voice softening just enough to slip under my skin. “You’re still that man. You’re just… rebuilding.”

I laugh, bitter and hollow. “You really think that?”

Her gaze never wavers. “Aye, I do. Even if you’re too stubborn to see it.”

My fingers twitch at my sides. I don’t know if I want to grab her or walk away. I’ve never met anyone who infuriates me this much and still makes me want to lean in.