Page 106 of Dancing with the Devil

I brought my head back to look at her and noticed her playing with a piece of loose thread on the edge of her blanket. “You said a name… while you were having a nightmare,” I began andher eyes darted up to meet mine. “Something along the lines of ‘Alex’? Who is that?” I asked and she swallowed hard.

“I—I don’t know. Never heard that name before,” she faltered.

“Nirah—” I cut myself off as the nurse walked in with her food. She placed the tray on the cupboard beside Nirah’s bed and helped her sit up straight, adjusting the bed. She pulled a tray over Nirah’s legs, putting the tray of food down on top of it.

“This is all you’re allowed to eat at the moment,” she almost apologetically said and turned to me. “She has to eat. One too many seizures will cause serious damage.”

I nodded in understanding. “I’ll make sure she eats.” The nurse showed us a timid smile before leaving the room. “Why haven’t you been eating?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

She stayed quiet for a minute before sighing. “I kept forgetting and I really didn’t have much of an appetite, I still don’t,” she shook her head.She kept forgetting?“Are you mad at me?” she nervously asked and I ran my hand down my face.

“I’m not mad at you, Nirah, but I really do want to yell at you for not eating, but—” I cut myself off as I watched her glossy eyes stare up at me with so much apology and hurt. And worst of all, so much sorrow. I should have been at her side to protect her. Not Cesar, not Logan.Me.

“I’m not talking about what happened with Sylvester,” she looked down and started poking her food with the fork. She was referring to that night in my office.

“You were honest with me, so no, I’m not mad at you,” I said, pushing myself up from the chair. “Now, stop with the questions.”

I rounded her bed but she stopped me once again. “Can I rephrase my question?”

I stared at the door, taking a deep breath in. “What is it?”

“Did mytruthhurt you?”

I felt my heart rate pick up as the room filled with silence.Yes, tesoro. Yes, it did.

CHAPTER 22

Antonio

THE UNCOMFORTABLE PAIN brewing in my chest was entirely unfamiliar to me.

I had never experienced such heavy emotions until her. I didn’t recognize them, nor did I know how to process them. And worst of all, it was fucking with my plans.

“I want your plate half empty by the time I get back.”

With that, I left the room, closing the door behind myself. Logan sat idly against the wall and jumped up as he saw me.What is it with my goddamn men sitting all the time?

The other two were already standing, so I didn’t get to release my frustration.

“Is she okay?” Logan asked and I nodded.

After a quick call with Cesar, the door behind me opened and I immediately turned, finding Nirah leaning against the wall for support. “What are you doing?” I rushed over to her and she looked between the four of us.

“I just need to use the bathroom,” she said, shifting her weight onto her other leg. I scooped her up bridal style and she rolled her eyes. “You’re so dramatic.”

“Andyou’retesting my patience,” I warned and she adjusted her arms around my neck.

“Don’t I always?” she showed me a closed-mouth smile.This woman is going to be the death of me.

I carried her to the bathroom—at the end of the hallway—while she played with the stubble along my jawline. “I like it,” she grinned and cupped my face with both hands, running her nails up and down my jaw. “It’s…” she slowly trailed off, pretending to be deep in thought and I almost smiled. “Sexy,” she playfully whispered.

We reached the bathroom and I carefully put her down on her feet. “I got it from here,” she stopped me, closing the door in my face and I smiled, dropping my head.

I turned around and rested my back against the wall. After a short while, I heard her calling me from inside.

When I opened the door, she was washing her hands. “Do you mind?” she batted her eyelashes, nodding towards the paper towels on a little shelf above her head.

She flashed me her little smile as she turned the water off and it took everything in menotto smile at her right now. I grabbed the roll of paper towels and ripped three sheets off, handing them to her.