Chapter 10
Kael
I watched Lena move around my kitchen. Out of her uniform, she was wearing a T-shirt and short shorts, barefoot. She had become very comfortable in my house.
“Mr. Voss, you’ve barely eaten today. I made soup for her earlier. I don’t mind cooking for you when I make Bria’s meals—it’s no trouble at all. You need to keep your strength up if you’re going to keep helping her like this.”
She smiled at me as she set a bowl on the kitchen island.
I wasn’t hungry, but I started to eat anyway. For Bria’s sake, I didn’t want my rudeness to affect her care.
Lena leaned against the counter across from me, watching me eat.
"You know, you're different than I expected."
I looked up from the bowl. "How?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. Everybody around here makes you sound terrifying."
"Is that so?” I wondered who everybody was.
“Yes, you’re quite caring,” she said lightly. “Most men in your position would’ve hired round-the-clock staff and stayed far away from the mess. But you… you’re hands-on. I respect that.”
I gave a noncommittal hum.
She laughed softly, leaning forward and giving me a view of her cleavage. “You’re not much for small talk, are you? That’s refreshing. Most powerful men love hearing themselves speak.”
I glanced up at her. “I’m only interested in talking about what helps Bria.”
“Of course,” Lena said, but her eyes sparkled like she found that answer charming. “Still… it must be exhausting. Carrying all of this alone. If you ever need someone to talk to—or just someone to listen—I’m here. Day or night.”
She reached across the island and briefly touched my hand, her fingers lingering.
I pulled away.
For the next several days, the pattern continued.
Lena found reasons to be in the common areas when I came downstairs.
She cooked meals “for Bria” that always included a plate for me.
She laughed at things that weren’t particularly funny.
She asked questions about my work, my life, always circling back to how strong and dedicated I was.
I participated just enough to keep things civil. For Bria’s sake. Lena was competent. She kept my rabbit stable. That was all that mattered.
But it was starting to grate.
On the fifth night, I ran into her in her nightgown—red, silky, and barely there—and she was still telling me it wasn’t a good idea for me to see Bria.
I called Zia.
She answered on the third ring, sounding annoyed. “Kael.”
“I need another nurse,” I said without preamble. “Or you. Lena is… fine. But I’d prefer someone else.”
Zia was quiet for a moment. “She’s one of the best I know for this kind of case,” she said carefully. “What’s the problem?”
I hesitated, then told her the truth. “She’s flirting with me. Constantly. Finding excuses to be around me. Touching me. Walking around half-naked. I don’t like it.”
Zia let out a disbelieving laugh. “You’re full of yourself, you know that?
” she said. “Lena is a professional. She’s one of the most skilled nurses I know.
She’s not flirting with you, Kael. She’s just being friendly while doing a difficult job.
Not every woman who talks to you is trying to steal you away from your kidnapped girlfriend. ”
I stayed silent.
Zia sighed. “Look, I’ll see what I can do about sending someone else. But good nurses who are willing to do private, off-the-books work with no questions asked aren’t exactly lining up. Give me a couple of days.”
I rubbed my temple. “When can you come?”
“I can’t,” Zia said flatly. “I have my own patients and my own life. I already stuck my neck out by sending Lena. Don’t push it.”
She hung up before I could say anything else.
I stared at the phone for a long moment, unease crawling under my skin. Something felt off, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Bria needed rest. That was what mattered.
Still…
I glanced back at the closed door to Bria’s room, then at my watch. It was almost midnight. I decided to let it go for now, but tomorrow I would see how Bria was doing, face to face.