Page 64 of Debt to the Mafia King

“It’s all hazy. You were taking me somewhere as a surprise?”

For a second, his hand flexed around mine, and he chuckled. “It’s just my luck that I do something romantic for you, and you don’t remember.”

“I’m sorry, wait. Did we go to the ballet?” It was still fuzzy, but it was getting clearer and clearer now. “What happened, Viktor? Why can’t I see?”

“There was a bomb.” His voice shook, and it was his tone more than what he had said that made me panic again.

“A bomb? Did anyone else get hurt?”

His laughter was like music to my ears. “A few cuts and scrapes, but no one seriously injured.”

“Oh.” I settled back down and tried to relax. “That’s good.”

“That is so you, Leah.” I couldn’t see him, but I could imagine he was shaking his head.

“What is?”

“Caring for other people more than you care for yourself.”

“I’m not totally selfless, Viktor,” I mumbled. “I’m worried about my eyes. Am I blind?” I couldn’t help it. My voice shook.

He might think I was this good person who only cared about others, but that didn’t stop me from being worried about myself as well. I didn’t want to be blind. The world was beautiful, and I wanted to see it all.

“I mean,” I took a deep, settling breath. “I’ll deal, it would just be—”

“You’re not blind, Leah. It’s just temporary. You were thrown back from the blast and hit your head quite hard. The doctors think it will gradually come back over the next few hours or days. They should be able to know more now that you are awake.”

“That’s good then, but wait, how long have I been asleep?”

“Two days.”

Fuck, I had been unconscious for two days.

“Wow.” It was the only thing I could think about saying because words escaped me.

“You had me so worried, Leah.” Again, he smoothed his hand over my hair.

He kept doing that. Touching me like he couldn’t believe I was real.

“I haven’t left your side since the blast.

My head snapped in what I hoped was his direction. “You haven’t?”

“No, of course not.” He went back to stroking my hair. “I thought I had lost you when you were on that pavement bleeding, Leah, and it terrified me. I never want to feel like that again.” His fingers trembled. “You’re not allowed to leave me. Is that clear?”

I smiled with cracked lips, suddenly, it wasn’t just my body and head that ached, but my mouth and throat as well.

“It’s clear. Is there water, Viktor? I feel like I haven’t had a drink in days.”

Which was completely true.

“I’ll go and find the doctor and ask if you’re allowed. You rest now. Ok? I’ll just be a few minutes.”

There was the sound of him moving away and then silence that was periodically broken by the sounds of machines beeping to my right, machines I was hooked up to. Reaching up, I took stock of my body. Starting at my face and working my way down.

There were cuts on my face, my eyes felt really swollen, and my body was covered in scratches and bruises, but all in all, I had got off lightly.

Where the IV line was stuck in my hand itched, though.