Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 68102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Idiot.
“Colm,” Rogan said in a firm tone that she didn’t understand.
Colm turned to glare at the other man. “It’s not safe to sit like that.”
She blinked. He’d been worried about her safety?
But didn’t he think her unworthy now? Used?
Dirty?
“He’s right, Sofia,” Rogan said gently. “Although he could have explained that instead of barking an order at you.”
She managed a small smile for Rogan. But she was actually grateful to Colm.
She was an Anisimov. She couldn’t show weakness.
As they reached the hospital, she slid her shoes on and followed Cillian into the hospital. It was midafternoon by now. She’d slept for longer than she’d thought. Rogan walked beside her while Colm followed them.
She could almost feel him breathing down on her.
“I don’t believe there’s any reason to walk so close to us, is there?” Rogan asked, glancing back at Colm.
What was that look on Rogan’s face? It was gone before she could decipher it.
She spun around, wincing as the too-fast movement sent sharp pangs up her back.
“Are you feeling all right, Sofia?” Rogan asked, reaching out to steady her as she stumbled slightly.
Was it her imagination, or did Colm just growl?
Because Rogan was touching her?
Rogan didn’t snatch his hand away, though. He kept one hand under her elbow. As if he was worried she’d stumble again.
“I’m fine.”
Another noise from Colm. This one sounded like he was disagreeing with what she said. Rogan shot him another look.
“Her back was bad last night,” Colm said.
It was her time to frown at him. It wasn’t his right to say anything about her back.
“Do you need to get checked over by a doctor while you’re here?” Rogan asked. “Or I can arrange for my personal doctor to meet us back at my place.”
Well, she wouldn’t be going back there, so she didn’t think there was much point in that happening.
“No, thanks. I’m fine.”
Another grunt from Colm. She winced. He was going to give himself an ulcer from the effort it took not to say what he was thinking.
“Hmm,” was all Rogan said.
They reached Sacha’s room in the hospital. A mix of relief and dread filled her. She didn’t want to have to go in there and tell him about Oleg.
To explain why she’d been dating him . . . but she owed him that much.
He was going to be furious, though.
Please don’t let him stop loving me.
“Sofia? Are you all right?” Colm asked softly.
She suddenly realized that she’d just come to a stop.
Fuck.
This wasn’t acceptable. She was dropping her guard when she couldn’t afford to do that.
Pushing her shoulders back, she shored up what little of her defenses she had left and gave a nod before stepping forward toward the room.
Igor, one of her cousin’s men, opened the door for her and she stepped inside. Aleksandr glanced up at her, a look of relief and greeting on his face until he saw Rogan walk in behind her.
Followed by Colm and Cillian.
“What’s going on? Sofia? Are you all right?”
Viktor moved, so he stood between her and the other men as though he thought she needed protecting. Sacha eyed Rogan with suspicion. “What’s going on?”
“We need to talk,” Rogan said. “Something happened last night, and I’m afraid that you’re not going to like it.”
Colm couldn’t do anything but watch her. It was stupid. His job was to guard Rogan.
And yet, there could be a threat to Rogan’s life right now and he doubted he’d even notice.
All he saw was Sofia.
How pale she was. How she trembled slightly as she stood there, her shoulders back. She was trying so hard to keep everything locked down.
Her pain. Her fear.
But Colm saw it now. He could see it in the tension of her shoulders, the way her hand shook as she pushed back her hair, the paleness of her skin.
He wanted to bundle her up on his lap and keep her warm and safe. To promise never to leave her.
You’re going slow, remember?
He forced himself to pay attention to what Rogan was saying as he went through everything that had happened.
There was silence when he finished. They all stood there, waiting for Anisimov’s reaction.
Why the fuck wasn’t he saying anything?
Why wasn’t he asking Sofia how she was? Checking in on her? Didn’t he fucking care about her at all?
Chill.
His temper was getting out of control.
Anisimov was looking better. There was some color in his cheeks and he was smartly dressed. Colm wondered if he’d been planning on going home today. It wouldn’t be easy for him to be in hospital. Not in his position.
“Oleg kidnapped you?” Anisimov finally said in a low voice. His gaze was on Sofia. “From my estate?”
“Yes,” she said, her gaze flicking around the other men. “I don’t know how he got onto the estate.”
“He wasn’t able to come and go as he pleased?” Rogan asked.
“Absolutely not,” Anisimov growled.