Page 53 of Russian Roulette
“What’s wrong with her?” Seven’s voice close beside me sounds desperate.
Kit shakes me gently. “Come on, Jade…breathe.” When I don’t, he moves quickly and places me stretched out on the cold concrete beside the pool. “I’m starting CPR,” he says.
Shit!
Okay, that’s enough screwing around. Time to stop this. CPR can break ribs, especially when it’s a strong man applying too much pressure. I suddenly open my eyes and let out a choking gasp as if I’ve swallowed water.
“Thank god!” Kit mutters. He’s leaning over me, ready to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. His mouth is so close I can feel his warm breath on my face.
“Turn her over on her side,” Seven says. “I remember reading that somewhere.” He’s on his knees beside me. Carefully, he lifts my head and places a rolled towel underneath it.
“I’m okay,” I mumble, letting my eyes flutter closed again. “Did I hit my head on the side of the pool?”
“She’s faking it,” Vulcan says from behind me. “Cut the shit, Jade! You know good and damn well you didn’t hit your head. She’s playing you guys. C’mon! Get up, Jade, and stop fucking around. You’re playing dirty and scaring Kit.”
I hide a smile. He’s onto me. I’d planned to do a ‘gotcha’ moment to show them I was just screwing around, but Kit is being so wonderfully protective that I don’t want him to stop. Plus, he’d be pissed at me now if he knew I was faking. This is the least he deserves for lying to me at his house.
I’m too committed to this farce to back out now, though it’s weird to play a weak victim. It’s a role I’m not accustomed to. In this case, it can’t hurt this one time as long as I don’t make a habit of it. Not that I ever could.
“Don’t you dare come any closer to her,” Kit warns Vulcan. “You’ve done enough damage. I could tell right away that she wasn’t breathing and yet you kept screwing around in the pool.”
Vulcan lets out a disgusted sound. “I was only playing, and I didn’t mean to go into the water with her. I slipped on the edge of the pool.”
“That’s exactly why I’m worried,” Kit says, his voice bitter. “You’re always just playing and yet people get hurt around you. You never mean it to happen, but it still does.”
“That’s enough, Kit.” Seven jumps in to take up for Vulcan. “He didn’t mean any harm. Jade’s okay, everyone is fine. Let it go. Now’s not the time to discuss this.”
“No, I’m not letting this one go,” Kit snaps back. “Jade’s been with us less than two days, and he’s already put her in danger many times. She won’t be alive a month from now if this keeps up.”
“When did I put her in danger?” Vulcan argues. “You’re overreacting. Jade is fine and a helluva lot tougher than you think she is.”
“She’s not your plaything or a new thrill-seeking buddy,” Kit says. “All I’m saying is to be careful with her, okay? Is that too much to ask, considering your history?”
“Enough!” Seven yells. “Don’t go there, Kit. It was an accident, and she’s okay. That’s all that matters. Let’s get her inside and into warm, dry clothes.”
“I got her,” Kit says. He scoops me up easily in his arms and follows Seven inside the penthouse. “Where to?”
“I set her up in the spare bedroom,” Seven replies. “If she’s chilled, she might need a hot shower to warm her up.”
“Really, I’m okay,” I mumble into Kit’s shirt. He’s soaking wet too. “I’m sorry, now your clothes are wet.”
“Don’t worry,” he says. “I’ll change when we get you taken care of.” He takes me into the guestroom and carefully puts my feet on the ground. “Are you okay with standing? I don’t want you to pass out or anything.”
I give him a fake, weak smile. “I’m fine, really, though I might take Seven up on his suggestion for a hot shower. I’m freezing.” Goosebumps pop up on my arms, and I’m not lying about being cold.
“Good idea,” he says in agreement. He walks into the big ensuite bathroom and adjusts the shower spray for me. “It’s heating up,” he says, coming back into the room. “Are you sure you’re okay to stand long enough to take a shower? Why did you stop breathing? That was scary as hell!”
“I’m not sure. The drink was stronger than I thought. Seven warned me the alcohol was high, so it’s not his fault. I knocked down quite a bit of it. Or maybe the shock of hitting the cold water and swallowing a mouthful unexpectedly. In any case, I’m alright now.” I place a hand on his arm and gaze up at him.He’s so tall.“I’ll be fine. Stop worrying.”
I’ve taken this too far. Kit’s a good guy and I’m taking advantage of his genuine concern for me.
I kick off my soaking wet shoes and lean over to pull off my socks. “These are the only pair of sneakers I brought with me. I guess I’ll be running around Vegas barefoot now.”
Seven joins us in the bedroom with a large stack of thick towels and a bathrobe. “Make a list of whatever you need and I’ll get it for you,” he says. “What size shoes do you wear? I’ll replace them, of course, along with your clothes.” He places the towels and bathrobe in the bathroom. “If you need anything else, just yell. We’ll be right outside.”
“I’ll wait right here in the bedroom while you take a shower,” Kit offers. He stands by the bed. “What if you pass out in the shower and hit your head again?”
Oh boy, I let this go on too long. Oh well, I guess it can’t hurt for them to underestimate me, though it’s strange being depicted as a weak girl who needs a man’s help.