Page 108 of Thorns of Silence

“It’s not very professional to roll your eyes at your patients,” I deadpanned.

She let out an exasperated sigh. “You’re not my patient right now.”

I slid my hands into my pockets and leaned against the car, blocking her way. “I thought you didn’t make house calls.”

Her lips quirked. “Sometimes I make exceptions.”

I tilted my head, smirking. “Well, as the representative for all screwed-up people, we thank you.”

She didn’t let me frazzle her, despite my tall frame blocking her petite one. “You’re welcome. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to catch my flight.”

I chuckled. “Amon’s providing you with a private jet. Trust me, it won’t leave without you.”

She sighed. “Don’t tell me you need another impromptu session?”

“Maybe.”

“I don’t have your file on me.” As if she needed it. She knew it inside out and she was still desperate to figure out the reason behind my blackouts. I crossed my legs, letting my ankle rest against the other, waiting for her to continue. “But I guess we can give this a shot. I must admit, I’m too intrigued.”

“You know what they say, curiosity killed the cat,” I drawled, smirking. “But nonetheless, I appreciate it.”

“So are we doing this here?” she questioned, glancing around. Amon’s guards were stationed far enough away that they couldn’t hear us. At my nod, she said, “Okay, then. Tell me what’s bothering you now.”

“I want to know my diagnosis.”

She tilted her head, studying me. “I thought we went over that already.” My unwavering gaze insisted it wasn’t enough. She swallowed. “Until you deal with it, Dante, your blackouts will continue. Possibly get worse.”

“Sounds serious.”

She shook her head. “For you, maybe not.” Her thoughtful gaze settled on my face and, despite being forced to crane her neck, she saw too much. “For those around you, it could be.”

She struck a nerve there, and judging by her expression, she knew it. “You’re losing me,” I lied.

Her lips lifted. “No, I’m not.” She shifted her bag from one hand to the other. “Deal with your memories, Dante, and you’ll get to the bottom of it all.”

My jaw tightened.

“How am I supposed to deal with it if I don’t rememberanything?”

She flashed me a sad smile. “You do remember. At this point, you’re the only one holding yourself back.”

A sardonic breath left me. “Go easy on me, why don’t you?”

“You’re not here for easy. If you wanther, you’ll do this.”

It didn’t escape me how she’d slipped theherin there. The good doctor was too smart for her—and my—own good.

FORTY-FOUR

PHOENIX

The Nikolaev manor was on the outskirts of New Orleans.

The family, or the eldest brother, owned a hundred acres around it, affording the family privacy and protection and making my plan of kidnapping my daughter seem next to impossible.

The Nikolaevs had a caravan of cars for security. It might as well be a presidential motorcade complete with Secret Service.Very inconspicuous, I snickered silently.

I turned to Tatiana, pulling out my phone.Did they catch the culprits of the robbery?