Page 66 of Thorns of Silence

“Have you been following her?” He shot me a dry look. “Well, have you?”

He leaned back into his chair as if he was getting comfortable. “I’m not your brand of creepy stalker.”

“Cesar, I swear to God, I’m gonna—”

He cut me off. “Yes, I kept an eye on her. Full disclosure, though? She caught me every time and threatened to shoot me too.” He took a deep breath, then released it with an exaggerated sigh. “So, I had toshoother.”

I bolted upright, ignoring all the pain.

“You did what?” I bellowed. It didn’t matter that she’d shot me. If it was her or the entire human race dying out, I’d still choose her without a second thought. “Where’s my gun? I’m going to—”

“What the hell’s going on?” A nurse entered the room at that moment and I shot her a dark look.

“Get out,” I growled.

“But, sir—”

“Get outnow.” She retreated from the room, and I turned to glare at Cesar who was grinning like an idiot. “You motherfucking—”

“Awesome man,” he tried to finish for me. “I didn’t shoot her.” He snickered, rolling his eyes. “A thank-you would be nice for continuing your unhealthy stalking habits while you were out.”

I took a small breath and ran a shaky hand across my sweaty forehead. “How is she? Is she losing sleep? She must be upset after acting so impulsively.” Cesar’s gaze darted to the window, discomfort clear on his face. “What?”

He looked at me innocently. “What?”

“I asked first,” I snapped.

He shrugged. “I don’t follow your question,” he replied in Italian.

This motherfucking fucker.

“Would you like a bullet hole between your eyes?” He snickered. “Say something,” I gritted. “Tell me now, or when I find out, I’m going to cut out your tongue.” He rolled his eyes at my dramatics. “Don’t you roll your eyes at me. You know I’m capable.”

Jesus, maybe blood loss made me a bit eccentric.

“Duh, I’ve seen you go allSawand shit on people. But you won’t be cutting out my tongue.” I didn’t like how sure he was of himself. “You need me to tell you what your attempted killer”—he raised his hands and made air quotes—“has been doing for the past week while you were getting your beauty sleep.”

“At least I’m not ugly,” I muttered, suddenly feeling tired. “Now tell me.” The moment the demand left my mouth, I decided on a different approach. “Take pity on a man who almost died.”

He scoffed. “Whatever. It’ll take a lot more than a bullet to kill you, Dante.”

“True that.”

He waved his hand. “Okay, but remember, I’m just the messenger.” I nodded, eager to hear the news. “She visited her sister and went to school. And the girl sleeps like she’s dead.” My brows furrowed. No guilty conscience. No sleepless nights.

I sought out Cesar’s face. There was something else he wasn’t telling me. “What else?”

The tone of my voice was cautious, guarded.

“She went on a date.” He cleared his throat as red misted my vision. “Okay, twist my arm, she had three. Max.”

He moved to help me up but I grabbed his arm. “With the same guy?”

“Yes.”

“Name.” He shrugged. “You don’t know or you won’t tell?”

“Both, I guess.”