Chapter 42
CEZAR
Lina headed deeper inside without a word the moment we entered the house. No pause. No glance back. She disappeared down the hall. Something was off. I’d seen her pissed, tired, wired, bored, violent, gentle, everything in-between. This was different.
I tried to follow her, but Dorin blocked me and directed me to a chair like some toddler. My hand throbbed with every heartbeat, and he got right to work.
“Dorin, any clue what’s happening in her head?” I asked while he unwrapped the temporary bandage.
He huffed. “Why would I know what’s happening in her head, Cezar?” His focus stayed on the wound.
“She’s complicated,” he went on while threading the needle. “Most of the time she handles herself, but you… you can be intense. You walk around so sure of your place beside her.” He cinched the next stitch into place. This pain was manageable, especially with him.
“I could numb it if you want?” he offered.
“A little late for that.” I laughed, still riding the tail end of the mission adrenaline. “And I’m not acting like anything. I don’t know my place. Everything just fits when I’m around her. Before you say anything, I know I sound delusional as fuck.” I waved my hand dismissively and let out a sigh.
Dorin nodded in acknowledgment, frustratingly seeming to know more than me.
“How did you two meet anyway?” I asked as he taped the bandage and secured a plastic bag over my hand.
“You’ll have to ask her. I don’t know what she wants you to hear. I should’ve let you shower first. Too late now. Keep it dry. Good luck.” He left before I could complain.
Perfect. Now I was filthy, horny, stitched together, and wrapped in a damn grocery bag.
I headed toward our room, hoping maybe she had fallen asleep. She wasn’t there. I almost went searching, but the shower was calling. My whole body hurt, and the leftover blood made my skin crawl.
When I stepped into the bathroom, she was waiting.
“Took you long enough. Come here. I’ll help.” Her hands crept beneath my shirt and delicately maneuvered it over my head. Then her fingers hooked into my belt and tugged me toward her. My cock reacted before my brain did. She barely smiled, but it was enough.
Once my belt and pants hit the floor, I stood naked and ready for whatever she wanted.
“Get in,” she instructed, guiding me into the shower and down onto the bench.
She got undressed far too fast for my liking, though I couldn’t deny the pleasure of seeing her naked with those sexy tattoos. Before I could fully savor the sight, she moved behind me. “Keep your hand away from the water. I’ll wash you.”
I nodded without realizing what she had said. She was going to wash me…
She couldn’t possibly understand what this meant to me. Maybe it didn’t mean much to her, but in the end, our graves would lie side by side.
I found comfort in her care, a reminder of what it felt like to be loved in a tender way. It was unfamiliar territory for me, admittedly uncomfortable, but it was Lina. “Are you all right?” I asked.
She paused. “Why?”
“You’ve been quiet since the knife,” I explained, sloping my head back to see her face. A flicker of something crossed her features, and for a second, she almost backed away. Our eyes locked, and she stayed.
“Careful,” she whispered, fingers hovering near my shoulder. “Your back is still healing. Fuck, Cezar, you’re a mess. Look at you. So many wounds. Why would you use your body to shield me?” She pushed me gently so I was upright again, and her touch disappeared. The loss I felt was instant.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
What was I doing in her life?
Falling madly, deeply in love.
“Whatever I want until you ask me to stop,” I answered, trying to control myself. “It’s not that I ignore you, Lina. I just… I need you safe. When I can’t be there—” The rest jammed in my throat. She already felt too far away, and I didn’t want to drive her further.
My life belonged to her.
She moved closer again, palms settling against my cheeks. Something inside me unraveled at the softness. I let my eyes fall shut as she washed my hair and worked over my skin with tenderness.
She tried not to touch the wounds, but a few times I jerked despite myself. She paused each time, waiting until I steadied again. I didn’t know how long we stayed in that steam-filled room. Eventually, thirst clawed at my throat.
She shut the water off. Stepping out, she reached for a towel and came back to me. Her movements were deliberate as she patted my back dry. Then she stopped. Blood stained it. Dorin had patched me well, but fresh wounds still bled.
Lina stared at the fabric.
“Thanks for taking care of me, Lina,” I whispered.
She turned toward me and pulled me into a kiss. Her lips were soft and warm, tasting faintly of the gum she chewed every damn day. My body wanted more, yet I stayed exactly where I was. She pressed deeper, breath stealing, until she stepped back again.
Her hands trembled against my chest.
“Thank you for saving my life.” She didn’t wait for my response. She walked out before I could reach for her.