Page 209 of Sexting His Assistant

I answer because ignoring the world will not protect her from it. “What?”

Pavel says, “The man from the apartment is not in our local files.”

“Then widen the search,” I grit out.

Pavel says, “Already started.”

“Find Misha,” I say.

Pavel says, “No confirmed location yet.”

“Then get one,” I say.

Pavel pauses. “Understood.”

I end the call before he can say anything else.

I place my phone face down on the table and take Nina’s hand carefully. Her fingers are warm, though weaker than they should be, and I hold them with both of mine as if my hands can keep her anchored to the bed.

Time moves slowly.

Nurses come and go. Mirov checks her pupils again. I answer questions when necessary and ignore questions when they are about me.

At some point, dawn begins to pale the window.

Nina makes a small sound.

I’m on my feet before she moves again.

Her brows draw together. Her head shifts on the pillow, and she winces before her eyes even open.

“Nina,” I say.

Her lashes flutter. For a moment, her eyes don’t focus.

Then they find my face.

“Luka?” she whispers.

“I’m here,” I say.

Her voice is rough. “What happened?”

“You’re in the hospital,” I say. “You’re safe.”

Her eyes move around the room slowly, confusion giving way to pain. “My apartment.”

“Yes,” I say.

“The door was open,” she says.

“I know.”

“The living room,” she says, then stops and closes her eyes tightly. “Someone hit me.”

“Yes,” I say.

Her breathing changes.