7
Ethan
T he end of Larks second week approaches, but instead of taking her out for a drink to celebrate, Im at Infinity Care, a private care facility owned by my family that we moved her dad to. Last week, I pulled some strings and called in a personal favor to bring in Abel, the familys top doctor, to examine Larks dad. In just a matter of days, Abel did what no one else had been able to do so far. He delivered the diagnosis of Larks dad; Alzheimers disease.
As the weight of Abels diagnosis settles heavily on my shoulders, I find myself growing increasingly frustrated by the limitations of modern medicine. Abels explanation of Larks dads condition only serves to fuel my anger.
So, what can we do? I demand, my voice tinged with frustration. Is there a treatment? Something to slow it the fuck down?
Abel sighs, his expression resigned. Im afraid theres no cure for Alzheimers, Ethan, he replies gently. And given the advanced stage of her dads condition, our options are limited. Our primary goal is to make him as comfortable as possible.
My fists clench at my sides, a surge of anger coursing through me. Comfortable? I scoff, incredulously. Is that all we can do? Just sit back and watch?
Abel takes a step closer, and despite his age, hes a fucking beast when hes angry. Dont talk to me like that. Im here as a favor, but Id be happy to leave you to take care of this yourself.
Even though Im not in the mood to play nice, Im also not in a position where I can ignore how important Abel is. Hes the most capable doctor in the world, so if he says theres nothing to do for Larks dad, it truly means nothing. But that doesnt mean I dont want him to stick around as long as possible. So I swallow down the urge to tell him to fuck off. Sorry, man, I grit out.
Abel inclines his head. Im not someone you can just call upon whenever you want to. Youre lucky Nikolaos approved the trip.
I know Im fucking lucky that my familys Leader allowed Abel to shirk his normal duties to come here and help me. Just like I know Abel wont be staying long now that he cant do anything to help.
Speaking of, I say, eager to change the subject. How is Nikolaos?
Busy training his Protgs. Their initiation is coming up soon, he reminds me like its something I could forget.
Thats good, I observe.
Abel grunts. Acacia is every inch her fathers daughter. The Greats blood runs deep in her. Nikolaos has had to get creative with the tests for her, and I imagine theres more to come. He might even ask for your help.
It takes everything in me not to flinch at the reminder I can be called upon at any moment, and if Nikolaos needs me, I cant decline if I want to stay alive. Though I prefer to stay as far from the family politics as possible, there are certain things I cant ignore no matter how much I want to. The initiation of new Protgs is one, and a direct order from my Leader, Nikolaos the Ruthless, is another. And since Nikolaos only allowed Abel to come here if I attend the ceremony, I already gave him my word.
This is why I like my life far away from the core of the family; the ones with the last name, Drkon. Those of us on the outside are gifted with other names; like Drake, Drakou. Fuck, there are probably a lot more I dont know, and thats the way I like it.
Tell me something, I say, wanting to get our conversation back to Lark. What would you do in my position?
Are you asking me as a doctor or as a Drkon? Abel asks, immediately knowing who Im talking about.
I arch a brow. Do you have different answers? Come on, Abel. We both know Nikolaos has already given you his orders. So what are they?
To end his life if theres nothing to be done, the doctor says. His tone is bordering on bored, proving he doesnt care about the death sentence.
Im not surprised by his words, but I still dont like them. I dont like knowing that Lark is going to lose her only family member, even if said person is nothing more than a shelf of his former self.
Okay, I say. But not yet. I have plans for Lark, and I dont want them jeopardized by her loss.
Abel pulls out his phone and shows me a text from Nikolaos. It seems the Drkon Leader already expected Id ask for more time. One week? I ask incredulously. Thats all hes willing to give me?
He doesnt owe you anything, Abel bites, defending his master. A week is generous.
Im not a good person, so I dont really care about the man whos going to die in a week. To be fair, hes already dying and I cant imagine hes all that comfortable. But I dont know how this will affect Lark. People do stupid things when theyre grieving, and I cant afford for her to try to run away from me.
My phone vibrates, and when I glance down, it shows me Larks dot is almost here. Fine. I rake a hand through my hair. But Lark is mine, and I dont want any interference in what I do with her.
Have you claimed her? Abel asks, completely unfazed. When I shake my head, he shrugs. Then shes not yours yet.
The hell she isnt.
Lark
As I step into the medical facility, Abel greets me warmly, Lark, good to see you again. Please, come in.
Thank you, Abel, I reply, trying to mask my nerves.
To my surprise, Ethan is also there, leaning against the wall with a serious expression. Abel notices my confusion and explains, Ethan has been kept informed about your dads situation, given the companys involvement in his care.
Oh, I see, I respond. Im not sure I like that, but on the other hand, Im glad Im not alone.
We enter Abels office, and as we settle into our seats, Abel begins, Lets discuss your dads medical history.
I nod, ready to listen, as Abel explains the progression of my dads illness.
Ethan interjects with a question, When did the symptoms first appear?
I appreciate his interest, despite my surprise at his presence. It started with what my mom called episodes, I explain. Hed lock himself in his room, tearing up papers.
Abel listens attentively, nodding in understanding. And did these episodes coincide with any seizures or other symptoms? he inquires.
I shake my head. Not that I know of. Im not sure what they were exactly.
Ethan leans forward, his brow furrowing in concern. You must have been worried, he remarks softly.
I nod, feeling a pang of guilt. Yeah, it was tough, I admit.
Abel shifts the conversation, explaining, Your dad has been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease.
My heart sinks at the confirmation of my worst fears. Alzheimers? I echo, my voice barely above a whisper.
Yes, Abel confirms gently. Unfortunately, theres no cure, but well do everything we can to make him comfortable.
Tears prick at my eyes as I struggle to process the news. The only thing I know about Alzheimers is that its incurable. But whether its a slow or quick death sentence, I do not know. God, will he need extra treatment now? I cant ask Ethan to pay for more than he already does.
Lark, Abel says softly, and I look up at him. Its important you understand whats happening to your dad. So I urge you to ask me any questions you may have.
II Sobs make it impossible for me to speak. Hiding my head in my hands, I let the tears run freely.
Shh, Ethan says, his tone soothing. Itll be okay.
But it wont. How can it be when Im partly happy to hear my dad will die? And, oh God, my first thought was that I hope itll happen soon. Not because I dont want him to suffer, which I know he already is. Selfishly, I hope for him to die because I cant do this anymore. The constant strain, worry, and just its all too much and Im too weak. I cant take it for much longer.
Its not, I sob into my hands. Feeling Ethan move, I peek through my fingers. Oh, I exclaim, surprised when I see him crouching next to my chair.
He gently removes my hands from my face, taking them into his. He kisses both palms without looking away from me. Ethans gaze is demanding, making it impossible to look elsewhere. I promise you itll be okay, he rasps. Because Ill fucking make it so. Im taken aback by the fierceness of his tone.
You cant promise that, I whisper. You heard Abel. My dads going to die, and I I
Turning his head, Ethan growls at the doctor. Give us some time alone.
Despite the grim line of his mouth, Abel gets up and walks over to the door. Ill go check on your dad, he says before leaving us alone.
The second Abel is gone, the air around us changes. It becomes thicker, heavier, and its so charged I can barely breathe. Ethan, I whimper, unsure of whats happening.
He stands and pulls me with him. I go willingly, and when he opens his arms wide, I dont hesitate before I step close enough for his arms to wrap around me. I got you, he rasps, his breath tickling the top of my hair. You dont have to be brave right now.
I want to tell him that its not a lack of bravado thats upsetting, but I dont. Of course I dont tell my new boss that for years, Ive fantasized about getting the call telling me dad is dead. Its a horrible thought, and not something I can ever admit to anyone.
Relaxing against his hard body, I return the embrace. I wrap my arms around his middle and rest the side of my face against his shirt. With each inhale, his scent invades my nostrils. After being around him for two weeks, I should have gotten used to it, but I havent. It still sends my senses on high alert and makes my core clench.
I need to get out of here, I murmur.
Ethans hands move up to my shoulders, and he takes a step back so he can look at me. Do you want to see your dad before we leave? Shaking my head I tell him no. I know I should, but I cant when my pussy is getting embarrassingly wet thanks to Ethans smell and touch. Okay. Lets go.
He takes my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine. Then he hands me my handbag, which Id placed on the floor when we first entered Abels office. I should say goodbye to Abel, I say, but Ethan shakes his head.
Ill text him.
Nodding, I follow him out to his car, and let him gently push me into the passenger seat. Im too tired to pretend I want to take the bus. So instead of putting up a fight, I make myself comfortable and let him drive me.
We dont talk during the short drive, and I dont even see whats outside the window. Tears are distorting my vision, and Im too lost in my thoughts to pay any proper attention to anything. When Ethan parks, I unbuckle my seatbelt and open the door on autopilot. Thanks for the lift, I say, my voice hoarse.
Ethan leans closer and wipes the tears from my eyes. Its only then I notice that we arent at my apartment. My brows furrow in confusion, but before I can ask, he says, I thought you might want a drink to calm down before going home.
Yes. Thank you, I murmur, grateful Im not going home to my empty apartment just yet. He takes my hand again, and together we walk into one of the fanciest clubs Ive ever seen.