Chapter 52
Cassandra
My head vibrates against Mikhail’s broad chest as the car rolls down the bumpy dirt road.
He hasn’t let go of me since he tackled my body to the floor, covering my extremities from the graze of dancing bullets with his own.
Even now, his arms curl tight around my waist, holding me to him like a life preserver in the green, leafy ocean that surrounds us.
Trees line all sides of the road, the encroaching forest a cruel reminder of how far we are from our home in the city.
Home.
Damn, I’d never thought of Mikhail’s apartment in that way before, but it feels so right. There’s nothing I wouldn’t give to be transported into his huge, warm bed, the gleam of city lights twinkling through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
My jaw stretches out in a wide yawn, the heavy weight of exhaustion pulling over my features. I blink my tired lashes, trying to keep myself awake and conscious.
“It’s okay, love. You can rest now. I’ll keep you safe.”
The beautiful voice swirls through my ears like a drug, lulling me down into the comfy cradle of his arms.
Waves of antiseptic assault my nostrils as I pace the small expanse of the private hospital rehabilitation room. Who knew that rich people have their own private hospitals?
“Come sit down. They’ll be back any second to clear me, and then we’ll be all good to go.”
I glance over to where Mikhail lounges back on the hospital bed, legs crossed and extended like he thinks he’s on a beach in Aruba.
“They only just managed to sew up all the cuts on your face, baby. I highly doubt you don’t have some form of concussion after all that.”
His jaw ticks like he’s trying not to laugh at my antics. Just you wait till I get you home. It’ll be nothing but hot soup and tea for weeks.
“Call me that again.”
“What?” I snap, walking over just so I can inspect the doctor’s work again. He had to get stitches in over ten places throughout his face and scalp, and each time they pierced his skin with the needle, I flinched like I was the one receiving the treatment.
“I like it when you call me baby,” he says, snaking his palm to my cheek with a boyish smirk.
“Better get used to it, ‘cause I’m growing attached to you,” I say playfully, delivering a quick peck to the tip of his nose before continuing my assessment.
“I’m so damn in love with you,” he suddenly says, catching me off guard. Every muscle in my body freezes, replaying the words in my head.
“You…love me?” I ask in a small voice. His head immediately nods in confirmation.
“I love you, too!” I suddenly burst out, snaking my arms around his neck. My explosive declaration sends him into a sweet fit of laughter as he squeezes my sternum tightly against his.
Abruptly, the monitor above his head begins to beep faster and faster, turning into a manic, piercing pulse thundering through the room. I steal a peek at the heart rate monitor still attached to my man, the rising number causing me to break down in a fit of giggles.
We’re both still laughing deep in our ribs when the medical staff rushes in at the sound of the escalating alert.