Page 171 of Graves

“I’ll get you some.”

I massage my forehead for a while before sitting up again. Liam is still with the nurse, shaking his head at the allergy question.

Maybe she’s not even a nurse. I have no idea.

Once she has all the information and leaves, Liam leans back, scratching his fingers through his honey-blond curls. Our eyes meet. It’s obvious how much this is affecting him too. I drag myself up and sit down next to him.

“Are you a doctor?” he asks.

“Dentist,” I answer with a sigh. “I hope we weren’t too late. I’d never forgive myself.”

“We?”

“My brother and me.”

“Where is he?”

Fox returns with three water bottles and sets them on the table. From his expression, he heard Liam’s question and is waiting for the answer too.

“He’s dealing with the bastard who did this to Aran,” I whisper.

“God!” Liam exhales. “I knew he didn’t do this to himself.”

I nod. The fact that Luke went this far leaves me speechless. “That was my ex. Fuck… I never thought…” I remember the subway threat, and my stomach twists. “I’m going to deal with him,” I promise. “Properly.”

“If the police hear it wasn’t a suicide attempt, they’ll investigate,” Fox says— of course he knows the procedure. “The guy will go to prison.”

“No,” I growl, feeling the darkness rise inside me—all the rage and thirst for revenge. “He’d probably manage to pin it on someone else. So we’ll handle it.”

Fox and Liam stare at me in surprise.

“What are you saying?” Liam sounds genuinely worried. “Isn’t that a bit… extreme?”

Fox studies me and sits down opposite. “Are you really with the Mafia?” he asks.

I stare straight ahead, my body turning to stone. “Tonight I am.”

“I don’t want to lie to the police,” Liam says nervously. “That shit always comes back to bite you.”

“You won’t have to,” Fox reassures him. “You weren’t there. If they ask, we don’t know who did this. And the last few weeks prove there are plenty of crazy people out there who stop at nothing.”

I’m surprised Fox is saying this, but also relieved. He always seemed so upright. Thank God he’s on my side.

“Luke will get exactly what he deserves.” My voice doesn’t waver.

“Good. That’s all we need to know,” Fox confirms.

Liam only nods when his phone starts vibrating in his hand. “It’s Mike.” Looking relieved to escape the conversation, he stands and walks over to the window to answer.

The waiting drags on. My thoughts keep spinning. Fox and Liam pass the time making calls. Eventually, Mike and Sam arrive with Leslie, their manager.

I keep checking the clock above the entrance, hoping for good news, but the minutes crawl by and no doctor appears.

I can’t believe my eyes when Olena and Nahla walk in around 11:30. I stand up and meet them halfway. Olena throws her arms around me and hugs me so tightly I almost lose my balance.

“Are they still operating?” Nahla asks, hugging me next.

“What the fuck! Who would do something like this?” Olena demands.