Chapter 31
ADELINA
Cezar was healing as well as anyone could after nearly dying in my arms. He ignored every call from his father, despite Codrin’s firm reminders that answering would buy him a little time.
He was right. No matter what story Cezar fed Viktor, nothing would change once he was home.
Not until Viktor was out of the fucking picture for good.
Meanwhile, I felt like I was running around with my head cut off, trying to maintain my position within the organization while keeping our madness at bay and ensuring Cezar’s recovery. My men stayed loyal and smart, though I could see the questions in their eyes.
Fair. I was confused too.
Dorin picked up everything I couldn’t focus on, handling missions that weren’t urgent but still mattered. I stayed at the hospital, making sure Cezar’s discharge plan was airtight. Physical therapy. Follow-ups. Medication. Restrictions.
And… putting off the more fun things until he healed. Neglect play was starting to sound very appealing. I just know he would look at me with sad, pleading eyes.
Once all the arrangements were made, we gathered our things. Dorin helped Cezar up while I wrestled our overstuffed bags.
Was this what a relationship was supposed to feel like? Domestic chaos? Shared exhaustion? The strange, longing for home the moment I saw him leaning against Dorin for support? I’d never felt it before Cezar forced his way into my life.
When we pulled into the driveway, I was out of the car before the engine fully died. I rushed to his door and swung it open, catching the flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. My men took the bags without needing instruction, giving the two of us space as we walked inside.
Cezar moved slowly. Every step showed the toll of the injury and the medications. Guiding him into the room, I helped him settle into the bed and pulled the blankets around him until he looked properly cocooned.
“Sleep now,” I murmured.
He grabbed my hand, his grip gentle, and kissed the space near my knuckles. I buried my fingers in his hair until his muscles loosened and his breathing evened out. I closed the blinds, turned on the fan, and made sure the room felt safe enough for him to stay asleep.
Then I stepped out, quietly reverting to who I was before him. It was time to deal with the guest waiting in my basement. The one who almost took him from me.
“Hey, Dorin, could you whip something up for when Cezar wakes up?” I asked, giving him the most hopeful smile I could muster and batting my eyelashes.
Dorin sighed and put the groceries away. “Of course, Lina. I was already planning to,” he said, rolling his eyes.
Dropping into the nearest chair, I exhaled hard. “It feels like I’m taking care of a child. Not that he’s acting like one—it’s just… a lot.” Drained didn’t even begin to cover it. The last couple of weeks had chewed me up.
“Yeah, it’s a workload,” Dorin agreed, leaning against the counter. “Usually, our men take care of the injured. You’re not used to this kind of constant. And there’s been a hell of a lot going on.” He grew more attentive. “Any thoughts on what you want to do with the guest in the basement?”
“You know my approach,” I said, laying my head on the cool countertop. “If you want specifics, I’m still deciding. I’ll trust my instincts when the time comes.”
“Will you wait for Cezar to wake up before you start?”
“Nah. I’ll do a little pre-gaming.” I swiveled lazily in the chair, pouting. “But he’ll be there for the finale. I have to keep the physical therapy schedule in mind. He’s got an appointment tomorrow at three. The time slots were all over the place. Annoying as hell.”
“Well, that’s hospitals for you. At least everything’s booked. He’ll probably need more sessions, though he should be okay on his own eventually. I’ll watch the wound, too.”
“I know you will.” I reached over and tried to poke him in the ribs. “Can you make me some popcorn? And maybe hot chocolate?”
“Tyrant,” he mumbled, dodging away.
With popcorn in one hand and hot chocolate in the other, I headed downstairs. No one would take what was mine.
The stairs creaked as I made my way to the special room we reserved for certain guests, where my men were waiting at their posts. Vasile straightened when he saw me, ready with the briefing.
“Not sure which toys you want to use for this one, but I’ve laid out plenty of options,” he said, turning on the bright overhead light. “If you want suggestions or need anything else, just holler.”
The man sat bound to a reinforced metal chair in the center of the room, bolted to the floor, secured so tightly he couldn’t move.
Strangely, all of this relaxed me. Maybe it was because this was the world I’d grown up in, or the clarity vengeance always gave me. Maybe it was simply because it was personal.
This was going to be a different kind of play. I’d already warned my men not to touch him beyond the basics. I wanted him unbroken.
For now.