just thinking about what you said in the hospital.”
“And that was?”
“‘My wife.’” I repeat his words and instantly there’s a blush on my face, cheeks growing pinker.
Matvei rolls his eyes and says, “It’s because I wanted you to be there for Niko. Nothing more than that.”
He says it so matter-of-factly that it feels like a slap in the face. I nod and look out of my window, dejected. “Right. Of course. I know.”
Matvei glances at me but says nothing else. I don’t think I’d want him to, either. He’s said more than enough. There was nothing between us. He’s indifferent to it all, and the only reason he wanted me there with him is because it’s my job to look after Nikolas. I try not to let it hurt too badly, but I don’t say another word the entire ride home.
20
Matvei
No more hospital visits. I’ve made that a rule, and I’m going to stick to it. I don’t have the energy to constantly be racing back and forth between the mansion and Holzman Hospital every other day. Especially not when the ride back is so quiet.
When we return home, Nikolas tells me that he’s feeling a lot better, which is good news. The doctors said that it’s a minor infection and he’ll be fine after a few days of antibiotics. Nikolas is full of energy when we get home, and reluctantly, I agree to play a game of Go Fish with him and Victoria.
I lose the first two rounds, but after the third game, I pull through and secure a victory. Nikolas and Victoria both clap for me. After that, I decide to sit back and watch them play. My mind is in other places anyway.
I can’t help but remember Victoria’s reaction to what I called her in the hospital. My wife. She seemed almost offended by that, like it was unbelievable that I could ever marry a woman like her. It shouldn’t bother me, but I can’t shake the feeling.
I don’t believe in marriage. I made that very clear to Daniella the night of Oleg’s wedding. I’ve seen too many fall apart to bother committing myself to a union like that.
But while I watch the two of them play together, I imagine what it would be like to marry Victoria.
She’d be a headache, of course. Women like her are always willing to fight, even when she’s clearly at my mercy. It would be exciting, too, to say the least. We’d have plenty more drunken romps on the couch together.
And more. Much more.
But these stupid fantasies don’t matter—they’ll never come true. As soon as her father’s debt is paid, she’ll return to her old life and I’ll have Niko to take care of. We don’t mean anything to each other, simple as that.
It’s better this way.
Nikolas starts to get drowsy from his medicine. When he puts his head down and falls asleep, I reach for the cards and pack them up. Victoria scoops Nikolas into her arms and turns to me. “I’ll get him tucked into bed.”
She disappears up the staircase, and I climb up and head to the kitchen. I need a drink of something that’s going to burn. It’ll be a good distraction from me thinking about Victoria’s offense at my comment.
“Man up,” I mutter to myself, grabbing a glass and filling it with soda and a dash of dark liquor. I take a long drink and place the empty cup on the counter a moment later. I fill it again just as Victoria steps into the room with me.
“Mind pouring me one?” she asks, the hint of a smile on her lips.
“You sure? You didn’t do so hot last time.”
“I did perfectly well for my first time with you,” she replies. I smirk and pour her a glass, sliding it in her direction.
“What is this?” she asks.
“Rum and Coke.”
“Hm.” Carefully, she takes a sip, tilting her head as she thinks. “Not bad.”
“It’s one of my favorites.”
There’s a lull in the conversation, and she leans across the island in the kitchen, looking up at me. “What’s on your mind? Why are you so quiet?”
I nearly consider bringing up the wife comment again, but it’s dead. Time to move on from that. “I’ve been hearing some talk that this could be the Albanians. We’ve always had some kind of situation with them. Not an outright war, but it’s gotten close a few times. They might’ve had something to do with the vigilante and my brother.”