57. -56- #2
“Yes,” she ground out, closing the website tab. “Where have you been? The note didn’t say much.” She turned to me with an expectant expression that shifted to horror in a millisecond.
“What the hell happened to you?” she yelled, spilling coffee on the laptop and her legs without caring. She slammed it against the armrest and cupped my cheeks, examining my face. I chuckled, but it only fueled her exasperation.
“Dorian!” Her thumb brushed the bruise on my jaw, surprisingly gently, considering the outrage in her voice. “Who the fuck touched you? I’m going to kill them.”
“Noooo,” I whined, trying to remove her hands from my face, but she didn’t let me.
“What happened?” she repeated, inspecting my nose. “Tell me right now who hit you?”
“Zyon,” I exhaled, suppressing a laugh.
“That motherfucker!” Nina exclaimed, abruptly standing up. “When I get my hands on him—”
“No!” I jumped to my feet. “Stop, ma vilaine.” I ran behind her because she was already at the door. “We sparred. It wasn’t anything serious. He’s just better than me.”
“Better than you?” she repeated in disbelief. “You look like you encountered the Hulk on your way home.”
“It’s not that bad.” I pulled her closer, curling my arm around her waist. Her palms pressed against my chest, a deep scowl contorting her beautiful features. “But I love when you’re protective of me.”
“Protective?” she echoed, raising a brow. “I’d murder him with my bare hands if he were here.”
“So fucking romantic,” I exhaled and pressed my lips against hers.
Easily, I lifted her and set her beside a Chinese vase, deepening the kiss. Her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer so there was no space between us. My hands clutched her delicious thighs, my mouth attacking her neck when the loud ringing of my phone made us both jump.
“Seriously?” Nina whined.
“It’s Mom,” I whispered, evening my breath. “I have to…”
I hit the green button before finishing, my chest squeezing with fear, but she sounded normal. Tired, but normal.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” she greeted. “I'm calling to tell you that you don’t need to come. I’ll stay with him.”
“What?” I tilted my head back. It got harder every day to get her out of Malin’s room. “No, Mom. I’m on my way.”
“You don’t need to—” she tried to protest, but I cut her off quickly.
“I need to,” I said sternly. “I’ll be there in half an hour.”
I ended the call before she could object more.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, taking Nina’s hand. “She already looks like a zombie. I don’t want—”
“It’s okay,” she interrupted my apology, my heart pathetically missing a beat when she leaned closer and cupped my cheeks. “Go, but be prepared for stares. You look terrible.”
“Not handsome?” I pouted.
“No.” She shook her head firmly. “More like an abused husband who made a horrible mistake by opposing his wife.”
“It’s not that far from the truth,” I mused, chuckling when she slapped my shoulder playfully. “You love discipline.”
“Yes, but I love to punish you differently.” She wiggled her brows, her teeth sinking into her lower lip.
“Don’t tempt me,” I sighed, pecking her nose.
“Fine.” She smiled sweetly. “I’ll meet with Lucas for lunch, then join you. Will you be okay there?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You know why.” She wrapped her legs around my hips and placed her hands on my biceps, caressing me gently.
The closeness helped me to feel calm. “You’re in the darkest place while you’re in that room.
” Her brows dipped. “What about if you wait for me? I’ll meet with Lucas at the bank right now and go with you. ”
“Bank?” I frowned. “Do you need money?”
“No, Mr. rich husband.” She poked my abdomen with her index finger. “I don’t need money. Lucas needs an access code to my bank account. I’ll explain later. Will you wait for me? It won’t be more than an hour.”
“I’ll be fine.” I rested my forehead against her, warmth spreading beneath my ribs. She was so cute and caring. Nothing like a lunatic I married.
“Dorian,” Nina whispered, her eyes telling more than any words. She was worried. After I told her about the demon in my head, she wasn’t scared—just concerned.
“I promise I’ll be fine. You don’t need to come.” I pressed my lips against her forehead and reluctantly let go. “We should also tell your father about us,” I pointed out, taking my keys and phone. “And cancel the wedding with Carlile.”
The name tasted like poison on my tongue. But my heart missed a beat when I remembered reading the outcome of my scalpel session in his chart.
Permanent nerve damage.
Not enough for touching my wife, but enough for now.
“Wouldn’t it be better to wait a little longer?” Nina jumped off the chest of drawers and walked to the front door with me. “If my grandfather drowned my family in debt, I want to know who we owe.”
“But with me—”
“No.” She shook her head. “I won’t drag you into my mess. I’ll get to the bottom of this. Just give me more time.”
“Nina.” I roughly pulled her against my chest. “Are you investigating something you shouldn’t?”
“Maybe,” she whispered, her breathing quickening.
“Stop,” I ordered harshly. “Immediately cut off any efforts to find out who’s behind it.”
“But…”
“No buts,” I snapped. “Malin has the team working on it. They’ll find them.”
She pursed her lips in disapproval.
“Nina, I’m serious.” My voice dropped an octave. “Stop whatever you’re doing because if something happens to you…” I trailed off, unable to voice my deepest fear.
“Nothing will happen to me.” Her hands cupped my cheeks, and she stood on her tiptoes. “I’m your villain, handsome. Forever.”
She kissed me, erasing at least some of my worry, but I knew her enough to know she wouldn’t listen.
Fuck! Why couldn’t I marry a sweet, innocent, loving housewife?
Because those aren’t your flavor, asshole, the demon chuckled, and I rolled my eyes.
So fucking right.